Suvarna Raupya Siddhi Shastra

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

Page 31

XXVI
(Kharataragaccha), Tantric sect and Aghorapanthi sect, Muslim (Sekham Ali) in the field of alchemy show their mutual respect for one another. The work begins with the invocation to Gautama Gaṇadhara and the concept of Jainadharma - ahimsa (non-violence), samyama (self-control), tapa (austerity), meditation on Mahavira with his Caturvidha Samgha.
It appears from the mention of Dhatavedhi, Gavavedhi and Dhumravedhi (Carapata Yogiya) that there were flourishing at least three alchemical sects besides the sects of Nagarjuna, Natha, Gaṇḍu, Sekham Ali and others during the time of Jinadattasūri.
•
It is known from the study of the SRSS. that the historical personalities like Parsvanath, Mahavira, Gautama Gaṇadhara, Padalipta Sūri, Nāgārjuna, Carpața, Natha, Gaṇḍu, and Sekham Ali flourished in their respective ages and also the mythology of the twenty four Tirthankaras.
Geography:
The SRSS. throws a side-light upon the geographical belt covering Rajasthan, Madhyapradeśa, Mahārāṣṭra where alchemical thoughts and practices were prevailing, as it is found in its casual references to the places where Sailodaka (hill - water) is available for the use of chemical processes. They are as follows:
Kalyāṇanagari, Girnar, Tāringā, Gahuyāri, Vegavala, Gauraparvata, Tungiya, Bhohagiri, Ahmedanagar, Bhaṭamāra, Paranera, Girimāra, Bhumdigna, Bagalana, Kaṇyari, Dharanagar, Sulapāṇa, Ratnamala, Abu and many other places.1
Peculiarities of language, metres, style of writing, method of exposition, etc. adopted in the composition of the Suvarna - Raupya - Siddhi - Sastra.
The language of the Suvarna - Raupya - Siddhi - Sastra is not uniform as it has clearly been stated in the beginning that this work has been written in Sanskrit, Prakrit and Apabhramśa by prosaic and poetic (versical) order.2 When the entire language of the work is critically judged, there are found not only these three languages, but the bulk of it is to be traced in old Gujarati, sometimes here and there in western Rajasthani on Rajasthanï and Vrajabuli with a touch of eastern dialect or sometimes in a mixed language.
1. SRSS. ch. 9. 8.
2." Atha Samskrta-Prakrta-Apabhramsabhasaya-Svarṇarupyasiddhayo likhyamte gadya
padyabamdhena"