Journal of Letters
Publication Date
2022-12-29
Abstract
According to the lapidary section in Yuktikalpataru ascribed to King Bhoja, some precious stones were classified by manifold principles, suspected to be predominantly based on Ayurvedic concepts. Research is needed to establish whether these classification schemes were truly based on Ayurvedic theory. This research paper examines gem classification as depicted in the Yuktikalpataru and its conformity with Ayurvedic-based schemes of classification. Research data were selected from descriptions of diamond (vajraparīkṣā) and pearl testing (muktāparīkṣā). Results show significant influence on gem classification of some basic principles of Ayurveda: a classification scheme based, with a few exceptions, on the principles of Pañcamahābhūta, Tridoṣa and four Varṇas. It could be said that the author of Yuktikalpataru tended to apply these principles to gem testing. Moreover, this exemplifies the nature of Indian technical literature – cross-disciplinary integration which can throw new light on the primary learning area.
First Page
159
Last Page
186
Recommended Citation
Kongmebhol, Aroonwan
(2022)
"Relationships between Principles of Gems Classification in Bhoja’s Yuktikalpataru and Ayurvedic Principles,"
Journal of Letters: Vol. 51:
Iss.
2, Article 9.
Available at:
https://digital.car.chula.ac.th/jletters/vol51/iss2/9