Page:A History of Hindu Chemistry Vol 1.djvu/94

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lxxvi

"These treatments have been described at length by Govinda-Bhágavat, Sarvajñarámesvara and the other ancient authorities, and are here omitted to avoid prolixity.

"By the science of mercury is to be understood not only a branch of chemistry alone, but it is also to be applied to salvation by means of dehavedha. Rasárnava says.—

"You have, O God, explained the killing of metals. Now tell me that process of dehavedha by means of which aærial locomotion is effected. Mercury is equally to be applied to metals and body. First make its experiment on metals and then [having thus gained experience] apply it to the body."[1]
  1. We have in some places adopted Cowell and Gough's trans. of Sarvadarsanasamgraha, but the rendering appears to be faulty in many instances, notably in the above sloka.' The original runs as follows:—

    न च रसशास्त्रं धातुवादार्थमेवेति मन्तव्यं देहवेधद्वारा मुक्तेरेव परमप्रयोजनत्वात्। तदुक्तं रसार्णवे

    लोहवेधस्त्वया देव यद्दत्तं परमोशितः।
    तं देहवेधमाचक्ष्व येन स्यात् खेचरी गतिः॥
    यथा लोहे तथा देहे कर्त्तव्यः सूतकः सता।