Suvarna Raupya Siddhi Shastra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

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XXV
History and Geography arising out of the study of the text of the Suvarna - Raupya - Siddhi - Šāstra..
The Suvarna - Raupya - Siddhi - Sāstra is of great value in the history of Science in India, for it throws important light upon the history of alchemy of the Tantric period and a sidelight on some aspects of Indian history, such as social and economic conditions, education, religion - heterodox religious sects, alchemical sects and their systems of alchemical thoughts and practices, and different personalities.
The work provides some informations regarding the social systeň - the caste, the superiority of the Brāhmaṇas, conjugal relation, family relation, social belief in custom, alchemy, and occultism, and diseases, remedies and diets, etc.
It throws a side light upon the prevailing economic conditions. A current of poverty flowed underneath the social surface of opulence of wealth in the hands of a few rich people. It was written by Jinadattasūri with the purpose of removing poverty, disease and old age from the society by making gold, silver, etc. from the base metals and preparing medicines with minerals (mercury, etc.) and herbs through the alchemical processes. The Suvarna - Raupya - Siddhi - Šāstra refers to various kinds of minerals, metals and herbs with their chemical preparations, apparatus used in them, measu.ring system - weights, e. g. țānk, vāla, paisā - bhāra, gadiyāna, Janāvadı, prastha, seer, maund, etc. and measurement of land - Yojana measurement of time - prabhara and ghadi gaţikā, etc.
As regards education, the composition of the text of the Suvarna - Raupya - Siddhi - Šāstra. is an evidence of the education of the society. The very first line of this work that : “Suvarna - Raupya - Siddhis are written in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Apabhraṁsa languages with prosaic and poetic order” indicates that the literature written in these languages was studied by the literate people of the days of Jinadattasūri in Gujarat.
The use of palm - leaf and black ink and hand-made paper and silvery and golden ink for writing alchemical works in old Devanagari script shows an advancement in the field of education of the people in this area. It is also a mastery in the art of writing acnema indagas practice of the age in code letters with secret meanings.
In regard to religion, it is clearly shown that Brāhmanism and Jainism flourished side by side at the time of the author with mutual harmonious relation in Gujarat. The references to the Brahmaņas, the 'Jainas