The Ocean of Mercury

( 22 )

I had to face extreme difficulty in translating the present text, and sometimes I even thought that I should abandon it. This was because no commentary in Sanskrit or Hindi was available to assist me. I have occasionally had the opportunity to "brush the dust from the feet" of Rasavaidyas alchemical physicians to understand its deep secrets, and at times the proverb "climbing high to see that every house is the same" also became true. Nevertheless, I have given a rough shape to this highway for the research of Ayurvedic brothers, and I am entrusting the burden of testing the originality of this translation to those kind-hearted brothers.

Only my heart knows how much I have benefited from the book edited by Pandit Taradatta Panta and his Bhagirathi great/deep commentary in the translation work; for this, I thank that author. Apart from this, I will remain indebted for whatever essence I have been able to extract from the intellectual circle of known and unknown great people.

(a) The blessings of the Ayurvedic scholar, Guru Shri Vishwanath Ji Dwivedi, former Head of Department, Ayurvedic College, Sampurnanand Sanskrit University, Varanasi, are highly encouraging for me and a guide for researchers.

I am forever indebted to Dr. Ganga Sahay Pandey, who provided the opportunity to serve by inducing me into this work. At the same time, I am grateful to Dr. Sahajanand Tiwari, lecturer in Rasashastra, through whose encouragement I could complete this work.

(b) Rasavaidya Siddhinandan Mishra has enhanced the glory of this Rasarnava Tantra by writing the introduction. For this, I am especially grateful to you.

Finally, I offer my heartfelt blessings to the emerging senior director of the Chowkhamba Sanskrit Series, Shri Vitthaldasji Gupta, who has made a great effort to bring this Hindi commentary before readers with great enthusiasm. At the same time, I am extremely grateful to the respected Pandit Ramchandra Jha, under whose affectionate gaze this beautiful Hindi edition of Rasarnava could be published. It is hoped that this edition will be welcomed everywhere. I apologize for any mistakes.

Nirjala Ekadashi
Vikram Samvat 2035

Devoted to the lotus feet of Rasavaidyas,
Indradeo Tripathi