Page:A History of Hindu Chemistry Vol 1.djvu/214

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The Tantric Period

(From 1000 A. D. to circa 1300 A.D.)

CHAPTER I

Chemistry In Rasarnava

[In Rasārnava, as in all other Tantras, knowledge is imparted in the shape of a dialogue between Bhairava (Siva) and his consort Pārvatí.]

Extracts from Book IV—On Apparatus and the colour of Flames

Sri Bhairava said:

"The rasas, the uparasas (see p. 79), the metals, a piece of cloth, vidam (see p. 72), a pair of bellows, iron implements, stone pestles and mortars, the apparatus known as Koshtī (see p. 69), mouth blow pipe * * cow-dung, substantial wood (as fuel), various kinds of earthen apparatus (e. g. crucibles &c.), a pair of tongs and earthen and iron vessels, weights and balances, bamboo and iron