Rasaprakāśasudhākara

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Printed by Ramchandra Yesu Shedge, at the "Nirnaya-sagar"
Press, 23, Kolbhat Lane, Bombay.

Published by Vaidya Jadavji Tricumji Âchârya,
372, Borâ Bazâr Street, Fort, Bombay.

Preface.

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The author of this Rasaprakāśasudhākara Nectar-Mine of Mercury-Light, Yashodhara, was the son of Padmanabha. Based on the description of his lineage at the end of the book, it is understood that he was a Shri-Gauda (or Gaula) Brahmin by caste and a resident of the city called Jirnadurga Junagadh, located in the country of Saurashtra Kathiawar-Sorath. Communities of Shri-Gauda Brahmins are currently found in the regions of Saurashtra and Gujarat. Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ray has established in his book titled History of Hindu Chemistry that this Yashodhara lived in the thirteenth century AD.

In this work, topics pertinent to the science of mercury rasaśāstra science of alchemy/mercury are described in great detail, though neither too briefly nor too verbosely. These include: the eighteen saṃskāras refinement processes of mercury; methods for binding mercury rasabandha and creating ash bhasma; the characteristics, properties, purification, and incineration of gold and other metals, major essences mahārasa, secondary essences uparasas, and gems; one hundred mercury rasa experiments; the specifications of apparatuses, crucibles, and earthen pits puṭa; mercury-based medicines; the enrichment of metals; and recipes for virility and semen retention.

Consequently, this book will be highly useful for physicians and students who wish to gain knowledge of the principles of alchemy with little effort. Three model copies were obtained for the printing of this book. One was from the library of my uncle, Vaidya Yajnashwar Sharma. Another was from the collection of the famous 'Nana Vaidya' of Sholapur. The third was from the collection of the late Rājavaidya Royal Physician Pt. Vidyasagar Sharma of Mandi, in the Punjab region. This book was full of errors in terms of grammar and poetic style. I have made every effort to correct it with the help of my dear friend, Pt. Ramapati Mishra. In ambiguous places, commentary has been provided with the help of books such as the Rasendracūḍāmaṇi and Rasaratnasamuccaya. A detailed index of subjects has also been provided at the beginning of the book. Although I have exerted as much effort as possible in editing and preparing this book, I request that scholars, who value merit, correct and forgive any oversights caused by the limitations of human error.

1. See History of Hindu Chemistry, Vol. II, Introduction, Page 46.
2. This book was not in our possession, but it was corrected based on the book sent to us by our friend, Mr. Tryambak Gurunath Kale.
3. In editing the second edition, great assistance was provided by my dear friend, Vaidya Pt. Hariprapannaji.

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