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Essay name: Minerals and Metals in Sanskrit literature

Author: Sulekha Biswas
Affiliation: Chhatrapati Sahuji Maharaj University / Department of Sanskrit

This essay studies the presence of Minerals and Metals in Sanskrit literature over three millennia, from the Rigveda to Rasaratna-Samuccaya. It establishes that ancient Indians were knowledgeable about various minerals and metallurgy prior to the Harappan era, with literary references starting in the Rgveda.

Chapter 2 - Minerals and Metals in the Rigveda

Page:

8 (of 15)


External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)


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Warning! Page nr. 8 has not been proofread.

II-8
carpenter's tool. We have earlier discussed that chisels or adzes,
vasi or basula were stone-made in the neolithic age (10.101.10)
and became metallic in the chalcolithic age (8.29.3). Krti was a
chopper or culter (1.92.10, 1.168.3), more like a sword, and
eventually developed as a scissor. Swadhiti (2.39.7, 3.8.11) was a
similar instrument. The name sounds similar to sword. Bhurija
(4.2.14, 8.4.16, 9.71.5) was a carpenter's tool used in the making
of chariots.
Kulisa (1.32.5) was the axe, the modern Kulhade or
Kuthara. Parasu, also a sharpened metallic axe, was an offensive
weapon. The cow-plunderers 'came to the east with big parasu'
to attack the Rgvedic people (7.83.1). Vadhara and Heti were
also weapons, the details of which are not known.
Several names were used to indicate an arrow: isu, bana,
bunda, saru, sarva, sarva, saru and sayaka. Copper-tipped arrows.
were evidently not enough to kill the enemy, and therefore poi sono us
materials were used on the tips: आलाक्त� अयोमुखम् इष�
( [ālāktā ayomukham iṣu
(
]
6.75.15). There were several kinds of javalins or spears to be
thrown at the enemies: srka (srja means to let go or fly), pavi
(10.180.2), Isti (1.37.1, 1.64.4, 8.20.11 etc.) The action is
clearly conveyed in the text ऋष्टी� असृक्ष� ( [ṛṣṭīḥ asṛkṣata (] 5.52.6) . vajra
(1.32.2, 1.51.7, 6.23.4) was probably a spear or a barbed harpoon.
The metal spike (sula 1.162.11) and the knife (suna 1.162.13) could
be used either for offensive combats or in connection with
cooking.
Closer to the domestic scene, we find the uses of the razor
(Ksura 1.166.10, 10.142.4), needle (vesi 7.18.17 and suci 2.32.4),

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