The Ocean of Mercury

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He is the commentator on many complex texts (Gad Nigraha a text on disease and restraint, Kshemakutuhala a work on culinary and medicinal arts, Mahishadhanighantu a medical glossary, etc.), and he decided to provide a commentary on this difficult and useful text. Therefore, Dr. Tripathi deserves thanks. The commentary by Dr. Tripathi has provided two benefits: first, this previously unavailable text has become accessible, and second, publishers were previously hesitant to publish this work due to its difficulty, while students and teachers of Rasashastra the science of mercury/alchemy were hesitant to study it because of its complexity and the lack of progress in the subject matter. Consequently, all these problems have been resolved by this Hindi commentary. It is difficult to say that all complexities of this text have been eliminated by this commentary, yet it has shed light on many subjects. Because only the original text was available previously, those who were afraid to read it will now likely all embrace it.

For any complex original text that is practical in nature, all problems are not solved by a first-time commentary. Therefore, even after many commentaries on the Rasarnavam The Ocean of Mercury, if some mysteries are uncovered and the meaning becomes clear, it will be a great achievement. Thus, no matter how much Dr. Tripathi’s effort is praised, it will be insufficient. Until now, there have been many scholarly Rasashastris alchemists, but none had taken up their pen on this subject. Therefore, the entire family of Indian Rasashastra is grateful to Dr. Tripathi for the service he has rendered by expanding the literature of this science.

Now, the directors of the "Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series," understanding the difficulty and utility of this text, have done a great service to Rasashastra by deciding to print it with a Hindi translation. Therefore, they are deserving of thanks.

Date: 25.5.1978