Jain Journal 1987 07

SR No.: 520087
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication
Publication Year: 1987
Total Pages: 88
Language: English
Classification: Magazine, India_Jain Journal, & India
File Size: 4 MB

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mineral preparation in detail.63 They are also devoted to the short processes of killing metals and minerals65 as they are treated in other Indian works on Rasāyanavidyā.
The Suvarna-Raupya-Siddhi-Sastra gives an account of the process for dissolving mercury and oxide of arsenic with conch-shell powder, which the Jaina alchemist names as bhum bhum67 and mentions ash of bone of the neck of camel68 and ash of bone of boar69 as solvent for copper quickly. They are described as substances endowed with the property of dissolving metals.70
Besides some distilling apparatus (yantra) have been mentioned in the Jaina alchemical works; e.g. dolikāyantra" vālukāyantra,72 pätālayantra,73 kavaciyayantra,74 etc.
JAIN JOURNAL
In short they have treated of mercury, minerals and metals, the construction of apparatus, the mystic formulae for the purification of metals, the extraction of essence (kalka), liquefaction and incineration of metals, etc. The virtues of mercury are commended in the Jaina alchemical works the Suvarna-Raupya-Siddhi-Sastra and others that men are freed from a multitude of diseases by partaking of medicines, prepared with mercury.
The final phase of Jaina alchemy as found in the Suvarna-RaupyaSiddhi-Sastra, Rasaratna Samuccaya of Manikyadeva Suri, etc. is charac
63 See the Rasaratna Samuccaya of Manikyadeva Suri and compare it with the SRSS of Jinadatta Suri, ch. I. 7 (Dhatuvada), ch. I. 51, v. 69; ch. III. 41 (Hingulavidhi); ch. III. 8 (Golakamvidhi), ch. V. 11, 27 (Abhrakavidhi); ch. VII. 27 (Navasaravidhi) and (Prakaranavidhi); ch. VIII. 6 (Kathirasodhanavidhi).
64 E.g. Rasaratna, Paradavidhi, etc.
65 Ibid.
Compare SRSS, ch. VII. 27; ch. II. 16; ch. III. 27 (abhraka); ch. I. 49; ch. III. 84, 103; ch IV. 24; ch. V. 1, 2, 3, 4, (manahsila); ch. I, 19, 20, 25, 41, 42 (gandhaka).
66 Rasarnava; Rasaratna Samuccaya of Vagbhat.
67 SRSS, ch. IV. 39; ch. IX, 51. bhum bhum samkhah camda ra (ja) hatyari malla.
68 Ibid., ch. X. 33. utna gardani nalinu baline teni raksa maso 1, tambo se 1 mukosiraghra
gate.
69 Ibid., ch. X 34. kalano asti (asthi) muke sighra gale.
70 Ibid., ch. x, 33, 34.
See Hindu Chemistry, p. 162, for Samkhadravaka.
71 SRSS, ch. VII, 9; ch. IX. 4; ch. X. 35, etc.
72 Ibid., ch. VI. 9; ch. IX. 45.
73 Ibid., ch. III. 36.
74 Ibid. ch. VI. 10.