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 3 - Minerals and Metals in the Vedic literature after Rigveda
13 (of 24)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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III-13
Iron Implements
India entered the iron age after the Rgvedic era. Many
metallic implements, probably made of copper or bronze, were
mentioned in our previous chapter on the Rgvedà. Similar tools
continued to be made using the newly discovered metal, iron. We
need not mention them again in this chapter. Just by the way of
illustration, it may be noted that Ksura or razor known in the
Rgveda continued to be popular thereafter (AV.12.5.20,55; Tai.
Sam. 2.1.5.7; s. Brá 2.6.4.5; 3.1.2.7; 3.6.2.9 etc).
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The
* sharpedge of the razor' क्षुरस्य धारा निशिता ( [kṣurasya dhārā niśitā (] Katha
Upanisad, 1.3.14, B.Up.3.3.2) became a popular expression.
Swadhiti in Tai.Sam. 6.3.3.2, Va.Sam. 2.15 and 5.43 meant an
axe or a sword as in RV.2.39.7, 3.2.10 etc.
The names of several new iron instruments appeared in
the later Vedic literature; possibly there had been no prototypes
in copper or bronze. Parigha was an iron bar to keep door(s)
closed from inside (Cha.Up.2.24.6, 10 and 15). It also represented
an iron cudgel used in warfare. Parinaha was an iron chest or
sinduka for storing valuable items (AV.19.48.1). Two-armed iron
tongue was known as parisas (S.Bra. 14.1.3.1; 14.2.1.16; 14.2.2.54
14.3.1); this resembles modern sandasi and was used to lift hot
crucibles and vessels from a furnace. Prasasa was an axe or some
other instrument for cutting (Ai.Bra. 2.6.5, Nir.5.11). Sasa stood
for a sword or knife (Ai.Bra. 7.17.15, San.Sr.15.25.1, s.Brā.
3.8.1.4-5, 13.2.3.16). A stick of iron was known as salvaka (Va.
Sam. 24.35, Ai.Bra. 3.26.3).
