Essay name: Alchemy in India and China
Author:
Vijaya Jayant Deshpande
Affiliation: Panjab University / Department of Chemistry
The thesis "Alchemy in India and China" explores the comparative aspects of alchemy in these two countries, focusing on chemical and protochemical formulations while addressing why modern science developed in the West rather than in India or China. It briefly touches upon internal alchemy in China and the ritualistic tantra in India.
Chapter 4 - Transmutation of Base Metals into Gold
20 (of 22)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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This powder macerated in the juice of this plant and deposited in an iron vessel, is to be kept constantly near fire for fifteen days. After roasting, it is to be enveloped in a pūta and purified by the process of emesis and purgation. It is then to be dipped into cow's urine. The sadhaka should then undergo (self- purification by means of) purgation. Take this plant-product along with honey and clarified butter on an auspicious day, when occurs the conjuction of the star with the moon. It is taken for three weeks, the sadhaka is endowed with an immense power of holding up the earth. By taking this drug for four weeks he becomes free from wrinkles and grey hair, and is cured of all diseases. He lives a long life of three hundred years. By taking this drug for six months he enjoys a long life of thousand years. Throughout the text we encounter plants with characteristic constituents and chemical actions. The appropriate application of plants and their extracts reveal the extensive research and experimentation carried out by the alchemists. Some of the plants are used as FN. 32 continued तत� विरेचन� कृत्वा नसते � शुभे दिने � मधुसर्पि� समायुक्त� � रस� जिसप्ताह� � सम्पूर्ण साधक� धारयेद्मही� � चतुर्थ� सप्त� प्राप्� वलयः पलितान� � सर्वव्याधिविनिर्मुक् [tato virecana� kṛtvā nasate ca śubhe dine | madhusarpi� samāyukta� sa raso jisaptāhe ca sampūrṇa sādhako dhārayedmahī� | caturthe saptaka prāpta valaya� palitāni ca sarvavyādhivinirmuk] �तो जीववर्षशतत्रयम� � मासष्ट [to jīvavarṣaśatatrayam | māsaṣṭa] �� प्रयोगेन जीवेद्वर्षसहस्त्� कम� चन्नतो भवेत� � [ka prayogena jīvedvarṣasahastra kam cannato bhavet || ] 528 || 11 529 11 || 530 || 89
