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20. JAINA ALCHEMY AS REVEALED IN THE PRAKRIT TEXTS
- Dr. J.C. Sikdar, Ahmedabad
It is revealed by a study of the Suvarna-Raupya-Siddhiśāstra of Jinedatasūri that Alchemy appeared to be the principal forerunner of chemistry in India. Ancient practical chemistry, albeit its technological overtones, which present its claims in the history of chemistry as indicated in the Suvarna-Raupya-Siddhi-Śāstra. The Jaina alchemist nurtured chemistry as a practical art and through their varied endeavors, provided the growthpoints, from time to time along with other Indian alchemists. They introduced new chemicals including mineral acids and more importantly evolved a number of apparatus, despite the esoteric theories.
The origins of alchemical art are shrouded in the darkness of antiquity. The word ‘alchemy' is an Arabic modification of the Greek work ‘Chemieis.' Towards the end of the fourth century A. D., an Alexandrian Hellenic alchemist named Osmimos made use of the work 'Chemieia' for the first time, relating it to the art of transmutation. The Greek work Chemieia' or 'Chemi' denotes black and it was used to identify Egypt because of the black soil of the Nile Vally and to signify the 'blackening stage of the so-called transmutation process."
The tradition of metal-making or the birth of alchemy in the west was probably derived from the secret knowledge of Egyptian priesthood.? In India also alchemy began to develop in the early centuries of B.C., as is evidenced by the citation of making gold through mercurial transmutation in Kautilya's Arthaśāstra “Rasaviddham Suvarņam.Alchemy was first known as divine art, but after some time it came to be known as the science of metalmaking (Dhātuvāda). It follows a set of methods and procedures which converts lower metals into higher metals, e.g. copper into silver, silver into gold.“
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