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.
Appendix A - Scientific information on the Minerals used
15 (of 71)
External source: Shodhganga (Repository of Indian theses)
Download the PDF file of the original publication
A-15
(c) Rubicalle, yellow or orange red and (d) Almandine, violet, which
is different from the almandine in the GARNET family. Ceylonite
Spinel Rubies
is Fe-Mg Spinel, opaque, dark green brown or black.
are distinguished by their octahedral form, hardness and infusi-
Zircon has a higher specific gravity.
bility.
True or Oriental
Ruby is harder and is dstinguished optically. Garnet is softer
and fusible.
SAL AMMONIAC.
Ammonium Chloride. NH Cl. White incrustation, sub-
limation product around volcanoes.
SANDSTONE - see Quartz
SANDI DINE - see Feldspar
SAPONITE see Talc
SAPPHIRE - see Corundum
SAPPHIRE ASTERIATED/STAR
see Corundum. Sanskrit equivalent Saniprui
from
SARD - see Quartz. Name either focom Sardis, capital of ancient
Lydias or from Persian word (sered
=yellowd sh-red)
SARDONYX see Quartz
SATIN SPAR - could be CALCITE or GYPSUM
Ε
SALENITE - see Gypsum. Greek word for moon, alludes to reflection.
