Preface

A small horizontal decorative divider with a floral motif in the center.

From the biographical account written by the author himself at the end of this book, it is evident that the author of this Rasasara Essence of Mercury, Shri Govindacharya, was the grandson of the teacher Sahadeva, the son of Suraditya, a disciple of Shri Dhiradeva (a Saraswat Brahmin from Antarvedi The region between the Ganges and Yamuna rivers), and a member of the Modha Brahmin community residing in the Gujarat region. According to the opinion of Dr. Prafulla Chandra Ray, D.Sc., Ph.D., he lived in the thirteenth century CE.

This Rasasara is primarily concerned with dhatuvada alchemy. The purpose of this book is focused on the transmutation of inexpensive metals like copper and tin into gold and silver. This subject is treated clearly, neither too briefly nor with excessive detail. By observing this text, it appears that in the time of Govindacharya, the science of alchemy (rasavidya) was well-established among the followers of the Buddhist faith in India. As it is said regarding rangakushti a specific alchemical preparation using tin: "The Buddhists who live in the land of Bhota Tibet know this" (Ch. 9, Verse 2). Similarly, at the end of the book, it is written: "Having known the Buddhist doctrine, this Rasasara was composed by me" (Ch. 26, Verse 36).

Four manuscript copies were obtained for the printing of this book. The first, designated 'Ka', is from the Mysore Royal Library; the second, 'Kha', is from my friend Vinayak Sadashiv Jambhekar of Vadodara; the third, 'Ga', is from my dear late friend Vaidya Murarji Sharma; and the fourth, 'Gha', is from my dear friend Vaidya Tryambak Gurunath Kale. With the help of these four copies, this book has been edited to the best of my ability. I acknowledge the significant help provided by Shri Vinayak Padmakar Joshi of Amravati and Vaidya Tryambak Gurunath Kale in proofreading. If, despite my efforts, any errors are found due to visual oversight, inattention, ignorance, or misconception, I request learned scholars who favor merit to correct them and forgive me.

— Yadav Sharma, the servant of physicians.

1: Antarvedi is the region between the Ganges and Yamuna rivers. 2: The habitat of Modha Brahmins is found only in the Gujarat region. 3: See History of Hindu Chemistry introduction, pages 65–69.