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 6 - Minerals and Metals in the Indian Epics
15 (of 17)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
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VI-15
The Buddhist literature mentioned seven kinds of jewels or
ratna suvanna (gold), rajata silver, mutta pearl, veluriva beryl,
vaira diamond, pravala coral and mani or miscellaneous gems
(Milinda, Vol.1, p.267 Jataka, Vol. 6, p.480). Different kinds of
lona or lavana or salts mentioned are: samuddalona, Kalalona,
Saindhavalona, sovirka etc. Lonak膩ras used to process salts.
Five kinds were
Decorative pigments or anjanas were widely used.
mentioned: kala, seta, rasa, geruka and kappila (Digha Nikaya,
Vol.1, pp.7, 12; Jataka, Vol.1, p.194; Vol.2, p.369; Vol.5, p.416).
Anguttara Nikaya (Vol. 3, p.116) recognised five kinds of
sisa
metal or jatarupaayo (iron), loho (copper), tipu (tin),
(lead) and saidha (silver). Knife and needle (suci) made of iron.
were mentioned. Dhammapada Atthakatha referred to gold-brick,
gold-plate and vessels of gold, silver, copper and bronze or
办腻苍蝉补. It also mentioned (Vol.1, p.79) about the traders or
kansakuta who cheated with false metals i.e. selling brass metals.
for gold. Brass is yellow like gold, and this reference shows.
that not only bronze, but brass also was indicated by the word
办腻苍蝉补.
