The Ocean of Mercury

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Therefore, to say that alchemy began with the Tantric era or the Siddha tradition does not seem logical. It can be said that its propagation and dissemination have increased significantly since the time of the Siddha tradition. Modern scientists have made those same processes tangible through specialized equipment.

Even in ancient times, the tradition of creating gold, silver, etc., through the combination of mercury, pyrite, etc., using alchemical processes was prevalent, for which many examples exist even today. In the medieval period, it was very popular, but due to the influence of time, the method of gold creation gradually declined, and today it remains only as a scriptural narrative.

Descriptions of these methods for creating gold and silver are found in many alchemical texts, but the detailed description provided in the Rasarnava is not available elsewhere.

Nowadays, alchemy is being used for medicine. For this, major texts have been created based on experience, and the alchemical formulations in them show miracles like a "ram-ban" sure-fire arrow. Because they are immediately beneficial and used in small quantities, this is more effective than all other types of medicines. There are statements in the scriptures that by using pure and "dead" (calcined) mercury, the patient and the physician receive the merit of Tuladana weighing oneself against gold to donate and the Ashwamedha sacrifice.

The Rasarnava, with its emphasis on Jivanmuktivada doctrine of liberation while living, Dehavada doctrine of the physical body, and Lohavada doctrine of alchemy/metals, appears very ancient due to its unique style and process.

1. Because of its use in small quantities, lack of unpleasant taste, and quick healing, mercury is superior to other medicines.
2. The mercury given to patients, combined with pure purification/calcination, certainly brings the merit of Tuladana and Ashwamedha sacrifices.
A hundred Ashwamedha sacrifices, the merit of millions of cows, or donating a thousand gold pieces—all this is obtained by a person merely by seeing mercury. Bathing, consuming, touching, donating, meditating, and worshipping: these are the five types of mercury worship, which destroy even great sins.