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FOREWORD The Sanskrit work, whose essence with translation is presented in this volume, deals with the alchemic methods and experiments on how to generate gold and silver. All manuscripts of this work give the name of Jinadatta Sūri (of Kharatara-gaccha, first half of the 12th Cent. A. D.) as the author. However, the text includes information on such experiments which not only seem later in origin but also go against the Jaina doctrine of non-violence. It may therfore be averred that, in the text of the original work of Jinadatta Sūri, additions were periodically made and hence the over all work has become a sort of compilation. In the opinion of some experts, only the first chapter had been composed by the original author, the rest had been included in the work at different periods. (Some of the experiments, in point of truth, may. be just for arousing the curiosity.)
The work under reference, in light of its title and content, could be of interest to scholars working in the field of ancient chemistry/alchemy. The work for long had remained unpublished because of the presence of secret terms and mystic symbols in the exposition of experiments. The verses' inner meanings, in point of fact, differ from the apparent implications and literal connotations. It is still a problem as to what the real meanings of the vegitative and animalic terms involved in the phraseology of the text, particularly the one relating to for the experiments. With painstaking efforts, then, the editor Dr. J. C. Sikdar has done this difficult job, suggesting as he did the plausible meanings : these endeavours involving much thinking and investigation deserve compliments.
Ahmedabad-1997
Dalsukh Malvania
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