Some Secret Formulae of Jaina Alchemy as Revealed in the Suvarna-Raupya-Siddhi-Sastra
By J. C. Sikdar
Summary
In 'Some Secret Formulae of Jaina Alchemy as Revealed in the Suvarṇa‑Raupya‑Siddhi‑Śāstra,' the author deciphers coded verses from a Jain alchemical text that describes processes for converting base metals into gold and silver. The Suvarṇa‑Raupya‑Siddhi‑Śāstra uses metaphorical language to conceal its recipes: the word “dhammo” (virtue) denotes mercury, “maṅgala” (auspicious) denotes gold, “kāśī” refers to copper, and other terms designate Nepalese copper and medicinal plants. By analyzing the text line by line, the author identifies the materials and procedures hidden behind these code words. One formula instructs mixing mercury with gold and copper and impregnating the mixture with the juice of a plant called comanali, then heating it to produce gold. Another verse explains that combining copper with an equal amount of orpiment (yellow arsenic) and saturating the mass with the juice of apāmārga yields gold. Yet another process involves immersing lumps of calamine (zinc ore) into brinjals, burying them for four hours, then melting the metal; the resulting lumps are said to possess a golden appearance. The article discusses the rationale behind using cryptic terminology: alchemists sought to guard their secrets from the uninitiated and to avoid royal censure. The Jaina authors also imbued their recipes with moral symbolism; terms like “dhammo” and “maṅgala” served as pious mnemonics for alchemists who saw their craft as a form of spiritual discipline. By translating and comparing the verses with known chemical practices, the author shows that Jaina alchemists employed sophisticated metallurgical techniques, including amalgamation, roasting, and calcination. The text reflects a syncretic tradition wherein Jain monks engaged in alchemy not merely for material gain but to fund monasteries and to illustrate philosophical notions of transformation and purity. The article situates the Suvarṇa‑Raupya‑Siddhi‑Śāstra within the broader history of Indian alchemy, noting similarities with earlier Rasaśāstra treatises and highlighting unique Jain contributions, such as the ethical framing of alchemical work.
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Conclusion
The article concludes that the Suvarṇa‑Raupya‑Siddhi‑Śāstra provides valuable insight into Jaina engagement with alchemy. By decrypting code words and analyzing verses, the author demonstrates that Jaina alchemists employed complex metallurgical processes similar to those of Hindu alchemists but cloaked them in ethical language. The recipes reveal knowledge of mercury amalgamation, the use of orpiment and plant juices, and innovative techniques such as burying metals in brinjals. The conclusion emphasizes that for Jains, alchemy was intertwined with moral values: the pursuit of gold symbolized spiritual purification, and the secrecy of the formulae underscored the responsibility of the practitioner. This study thus broadens our understanding of the diversity of medieval Indian alchemy.