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We come across evidence of alchemical practice, in the true sense of the word, in texts written in the medieval These texts in fact look upon success in period. FN. 3 continued Hatakam Vainavam Sringisuktijam Jatarupam Rasaviddham Akarotgatam Gold made using Hataka or mercury elixir. Gold from the river Veena. A kind of gold used for ornaments of God (probably with a high copper percentage). Probably naturally occurring pure gold. Made by the action of mercury, i.e., gold-coloured amalgams of other metals. Synthesized gold (probably gold extracted from its ores).

22 gold-making as a pre-requisite to the one of the elixir for internal administration. The alchemist looked upon the process of transmutation as a process of purifying metals, as bringing them to an imperishable state, that of gold. This process was looked upon as identical to that of culturing human body and making it indestructible. That these two processes were supposed to be parallel is evident from the following of Rasaratnakara of Nagarjuna. verse 4 I shall certainly tell you whatever is asked by you, i.e. remedies of warding off wrinkles and grey hair, and also of stopping the process of ageing. These preparations can act with equal efficacy on the metals as well as on human body. Maharasa Various names were given to mercury, e.g., chief of all rasas, i.e., substances or in the sense chemicals; Rasendra Indra (or king of Gods) of the rasas. Other names for mercury were Parada (the one which leads us to cross the ocean of life), Suta (born originating from God), Haribija (essence of God Siva), Svarnakaraka (gold-maker), the last one suggesting its p. 317. 4 Rasaratnakara of Nagarjuna (see Primary Sources), kathayami na sandehah tattvaya pariprcchatam || valipalita naraca tatha kalasya dhvamsanam yatha lohe tatha dehe ksamate natra samgayah || ll

23 alchemical applications. The potions containing mercury were supposed to induce longevity and immortality, thus making it the chief ingredient of the powders used in transmutations and as elixirs. A philosophic base was given to mercury-based alchemy in India. Mercury was thought to be the essence of ' the God Siva and sulphur as that of Goddess Parvati. Sometimes mica was also named after Goddess Parvati, viz. Gauri, since Gauri is another name of the same Goddess and means "a fair one". A number of texts like Rasarnava va were written as a dialogue between Siva and Parvati where Siva confers the alchemical knowledge upon Parvati. A combination of male and female principles, i.e., mercury and sulphur (forming cinnabar or mercuric sulphide) or mercury and mica, was supposed to be potent and was thereby consumed as "Rasayana" or a medicine for increasing body fluids or vitality. In Buddhist alchemical texts too we find a parallel concept of a dialogue. Prajnaparmita (one with countless or boundless intelligence or wisdom), a name for Buddha, confers alchemical knowledge to his disciples. This description of Buddha as a conferer of knowledge 5 'See "Rasaratnakara of Nagarjuna in Primary Sources, p. 316.

24 of making elixirs which have healing and rejuvenating properties, fits well his popular humanitarian image.