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 6 - Transmission of Alchemical and Chemical ideas (Part 2)
28 (of 48)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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158 2
. Visodaka is also stored in the hollow portion
of a bitter gourd.
beings.
3.
Rasar峁嘺va shl. 216, 220; Rasar峁嘺vakalpa shl. 738.
It could destroy birds, animals and even human
4.
Rasarnavakalpa shl. 731.
It is used for the preparation of an elixir for
prolonging life.
Rasar峁嘺va shl. 222, Ras膩r峁嘺vakalpa shl. 743.
5. Further, Visodaka is used in the transmutation
processes for making noble metals.
Ras膩r峁嘺va shl. 217, 227, 228.
Rasarnavakalpa shl. 744-745.
Since Visodaka is a very reactive substance, it can
be a strong acid or a strong base (alkali). That
Visodaka is a mineral acid is supported by the reactions
described in the above Slokas. These reactions are
discussed here.
1.
Milk is curdled by Visodaka. It is well known
that milk is curdled when it becomes acidic by adding
substances like lemon juice or vinegar (i.e., citric and
acetic acid, respectively).
Whereas when a basic substance
is added to it, milk does not curdle.
Rasar峁嘺vakalpa shl. 733
