Suvarna Raupya Siddhi Shastra

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Suvarna Raupya Siddhi Shastra" by J.C. Sikdar, based on the provided pages:

Title: Suvarṇa-Raupya-Siddhi-Śāstra (On the Accomplishment of Gold and Silver)

Author: Jinadatta Sūri (Kharatara-gaccha, 12th Century A.D.)

Editor: J.C. Sikdar

Publisher: L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad

Overview:

The "Suvarṇa Raupya Siddhi Śāstra" is a significant Jain text focusing on alchemy, chemistry, metallurgy, and practical occultism. Attributed to Jinadatta Sūri, a prominent Jain scholar of the 12th century, the text is considered a compilation that likely includes additions made over time, rather than a strictly original work of a single author. The book presents a comprehensive exploration of alchemical methods, with the primary goal of transforming base metals into gold and silver, and also delves into medicinal preparations and various occult practices.

Key Aspects and Contents:

1. Author and Date:

   • The work is attributed to Jinadatta Sūri, an Ācārya from the Kharatara Gaccha.
   • The colophons and manuscripts indicate the date of composition as VS 1210 (1153 A.D.) on the day of Akshaya Tritiya.
   • Jinadatta Sūri was born in VS 1132 and initiated at Citrakuta (Chitor). He was installed as an Ācārya in VS 1169.

2. Nature of the Text:

   • The text is a compilation dealing with alchemy, chemistry, metallurgy, and occultism.
   • It includes hundreds of recipes and formulae for making gold, silver, and other precious objects, as well as medicines.
   • The work draws from various Indian traditions, including Ayurveda (medical science), Tantric chemical treatises, and the practices of earlier alchemists like Nāgārjuna, Padalipta Sūri, Carpața, Nātha, Gandu, and Sekham Ali.
   • The text exhibits a rich linguistic tapestry, employing Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsa, Old Gujarati, Western Rajasthani, and even touches of Eastern dialects, often mixed within verses and prose.
   • It employs a mix of poetic and prosaic styles across its fourteen chapters.
   • The author's intention was to make alchemical teachings understandable to the common people through familiar language and concepts.

3. Method of Editing:

   • The editor, Dr. J.C. Sikdar, utilized three manuscripts from the L.D. Institute of Indology Library (MS. A, MS. B, and MS. C). MS. A was considered the primary manuscript due to its age and preservation.
   • The editing principles involved adhering mainly to MS. A, noting alternative readings from other manuscripts, retaining stanzas/lines unique to MS. A, considering readings for reference, spelling, antiquity, and appropriateness of meaning, accepting recent standard readings when beneficial, and not introducing imaginary readings.

4. Historical and Scientific Context:

   • Alchemy as Forerunner to Chemistry: The study highlights alchemy as a significant precursor to chemistry in India, with a strong interconnection between medicine and chemical preparations.
   • Jaina Contributions: Jaina alchemists played a vital role in nurturing chemistry as a practical art, introducing new chemicals (including mineral acids) and evolving apparatus, despite underlying esoteric theories.
   • Global Alchemy: The text touches upon the origins of alchemy, mentioning its Arabic modification from the Greek "Chemieia" and its development in China with Taoism and the theory of Yin and Yang. It notes the contemporaneity of Chinese and Hellenic/Alexandrian alchemy and the probable Egyptian origins of Western alchemy.
   • Indian Alchemy's Independence: The preface suggests Indian alchemy developed independently, possibly running parallel to or even predating Western alchemy, evidenced by references in Kautilya's Arthaśāstra.
   • Influences: While suggesting initial independence, later Jaina alchemy might have been influenced by Arab, Chinese, and other Indian alchemical traditions. The text references Sekham Ali (a Muslim alchemist) and Chinese terms (Chobchini, Ciniakapur) suggesting these influences.
   • Aims of Indian Alchemy: The primary aims were to eradicate poverty, disease, and old age, leading to longevity (Kayāsiddhi) and deathlessness (Kāyasiddhi), and achieving a perfected body (Dehasiddhi).
   • Tantric Influence: Indian alchemical works, including Jaina ones, show a close association with Tantricism, particularly in later periods.
   • Speculative Theories: Some theories were speculative with little experimental verification, but they displayed high intellectual perfection and intuition, comparable to some modern scientific ideas.

5. Author's Life and Age:

   • Jinadatta Sūri belonged to the Kharatara Gaccha, which flourished in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
   • He was born in VS 1132 and initiated at Citrakuta (Chitor). He was installed as Ācārya in VS 1169.
   • The Kharataragaccha is noted for its interest in alchemy and occultism, with Jinadatta Sūri being credited with initiating its study within the Gaccha.

6. Indebtedness to Earlier Authors:

   • Jinadattasūri acknowledges his debt to earlier Ācāryas like Nāgārjuna, Padaliptasari, Carpața, Nātha, Sekham Ali, and Gandu.
   • The work is seen as a compilation based on standard alchemical, medical, and occult texts, possibly drawing from a common Indian source.

7. Chapter-wise Summary of Contents:

   • The text contains fourteen chapters covering alchemy, chemistry, metallurgy, medicines, and occultism.
   • Chapter 1 (61 verses): Deals with metallurgy of gold, silver, killing of mercury, gold-making, purification of minerals, fixing of mercury, and necessary materials. It also contains symbolic language for chemical substances.
   • Chapter 2 (15 sutras + eulogy): Acts as a commentary on Chapter 1, interpreting secret meanings through code letters and words, often related to Jaina principles like dharma (mercury), ahimsa (capparis sepiaria), etc.
   • Chapters 3-13: Primarily in Gujarati prose, detailing various alchemical processes for gold and silver making, chemical processes, medicinal recipes, fixation of mercury, making mercury fire-proof, purification of copper, occult practices (seeing hidden treasures, invisibility), enchanting (vaśīkaraṇa), remedies for impotence, and various diseases.
   • Chapter 14: Concludes with the analysis of specific pills (khecari guțikās), their preparation and efficacy for elixir vitae and rejuvenation, and the essential requirements for alchemy, including invocation to Jain Tirthankaras. It also discusses chemical processes with garlic and oil of sulphur.

8. Peculiarities of Language, Metres, Style:

   • Language: A blend of Sanskrit, Prakrit, Apabhramsa, Old Gujarati, Western Rajasthani, and Vrajabuli.
   • Metres: Utilizes various Chandas like Vasantatilaka, Gatha-Arya, Doha, Padakulaka, Vadanaka, Bhujanga Prayata, Mandakranta, Vamsastha, Malini, Indravajra, Upagati, and Drutavilamvita.
   • Style: Primarily poetic (verses) in Chapters 1 and 14, with prose in Chapters 3-13. The style is descriptive, explanatory, and sometimes emotive, aimed at making complex alchemical ideas comprehensible to the masses.

9. Literary and Aesthetic Aspects:

   • The work showcases the linguistic and literary development of its age.
   • It deals with Mahārasas, Uparasas, Ratnas, and Lohas, along with chemical processes, apparatus, medical recipes, and occultism.
   • The language, metres, and style are rich and varied, conveying alchemical thoughts effectively.

10. Contents as part of Indian Alchemical Literature:

    • The text is heavily influenced by Tantric cults, as evident in its medicinal preparations aimed at immortality and spiritual pursuits.
    • It emphasizes mercury ('rasa') as a key transmuting agent and a rejuvenator.
    • Nāgārjuna is a prominent figure in Jaina, Hindu, and Buddhist alchemy, with much debate surrounding his age.
    • The work is seen as a compilation from earlier alchemical sources, indicating a shared Indian alchemical tradition.
    • It played a role in inspiring later Jaina Iatrochemical works.

11. Specific Focus on Mercury (Rasa):

    • Mercury is consistently referred to by various names: rasa, rasendra, śata, pāra, pārada, migraka.
    • The text details methods for mercury's purification, fixation, and its use in various chemical processes, often attributed to ancient Ācāryas.

12. Detailed Medicinal Recipes:

    • A significant portion of the text is dedicated to medical recipes for a wide array of ailments, including fevers, skin diseases (leukoderma, eczema), digestive issues, sexual health, impotence, epilepsy, and even diseases like syphilis (phirangiroga), which is linked to foreign influence.
    • It mentions the use of both herbal and mineral/metallic preparations.

13. Occultism and Mysticism:

    • The text includes practices related to occultism, such as achieving invisibility, seeing hidden treasures, and enchanting individuals (vaśīkaraṇa).
    • The use of mystic symbols and code words in describing experiments is noted as a challenge for interpretation.

Overall Significance:

The "Suvarṇa Raupya Siddhi Śāstra" is a valuable historical document offering insights into the scientific, medicinal, and philosophical landscape of medieval India, particularly within the Jain tradition. It demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of chemical processes and a deep engagement with the goals of alchemy, not only for material wealth but also for spiritual and physical well-being. The text's comprehensive nature, its synthesis of diverse knowledge, and its accessibility through multiple languages highlight the intellectual dynamism of the period. The editor's meticulous work in deciphering and presenting this complex text is highly commendable.