Rasahṛdayatantra (1728 manuscript)

20 H 15

Now: The yantra apparatus with an opening—that which is supported, this form is clear, manifest, having a mouth opposite to the opening. [8] With a measured finger-width boundary, a clear, rugged, small pot with a mouth-stream. One should not place a pot upon [another] pot at the finger-position. [9] Having made a hole, four finger-widths from the vessel... the thin shape, for the purpose of application, heated gold leaves. [10] Bound in various ways in the apparatus, one should apply fire from below. Through the effort of incense [smoke] in measure, gold leaves are made. [11] Those, having been heated, are then placed in the apparatus with care. Cooked according to the method for gold, the essence consumes it; it dissolves... [12] The small pot is to be made in the prescribed shape, now, placed in the vessel. Above the small pot, in the upper part, place a six-finger small pot... [text regarding dimensions and apertures]... [13] Then, in the three-shala [pot], place an iron rod; again, place the hole-pot, gold leaves wrapped in a circle, apply the gold leaves. By such an apparatus, the gold leaves are purified, then ignite the fire. [13 cont.] ...The fire should be kindled in the lower part of the apparatus. At that time, the gold leaves become... why? Through the effort of incense, [from] the incense smoke... the fruit is to be made with the drug... [13 cont.] Then, the gold leaves, [having been] heated in fire... this is told for the assimilation of gold. [13] Now, the method for silver tāra is stated. By that very same tāra-yantra silver apparatus method, gold is born, [the essence] dissolves within. [13] Commentary: By that very same method, the previous procedure, the tāra-yantra for the whitening of silver creates a dark [substance]. That which is the sveda-yantra steaming apparatus combination—that is the intense fire-steaming method—its combination, with that, [one] heats the essence again; it attains the state of dissolving within. [13] Now another combination is stated. Now, with melted tin, by the lead method, [and] by the combination, gold and silver dissolve within the essence. [14] Commentary: Now, altogether, for one purpose, melted with lead by the method, in the apparatus combination, [they] become two; not merely with tin, but again with the lead method. [It is called] the lead method, by that name it is described.

15

...[It is] one's own name, one's own designation, according to the Amarakośa a Sanskrit lexicon. In this way, with tin, lead, gold, gold leaf, and silver leaf—all this being melted, it becomes dead calcined/purified, and all dissolves within the essence. The body [of the metal] is doubtlessly [purified]... [14] Another experiment: Combined with mercury alone, by the previously stated method, the combination... until it dissolves [in the] essence. [15] Commentary: The mercury, having been combined with tin and lead in equal parts, [is the] remainder: that which is the previously stated method, the full combination, if there is another apparatus, its combination [should be] done in the heating vessel. [It is] to be performed until the internal essence reaches the state of dissolving within the essence. [15]

19 || Commentary ||

...the essence of pure pyrites mākṣika... hundred-fold of gold. [17] ...By this method, it is mixed in equal parts... [19] Commentary: Now, immediately after that, the sulfur-method application... one should perform the purification of the essence of the mineral nāla together with realgar shilā... it dissolves within the gold essence. [19] Now another apparatus is stated: mercury and cinnabar darda... mixed with orpiment kankuttha-shilā and lead. [20] Mercury, cinnabar, mica, gold-pyrites, tin... this, when burned, is to be fed... lead, and again mixed with orpiment and realgar poison-killing stone. This [process]... is for the sake of the internal essence dissolving. [20] Now the method of tin vanga is stated: now tin, orpiment, conch shell, and mercury...