Significance of Furnace
The term Furnace has distinct meanings in Vyakarana and Rasashastra. In Vyakarana, it refers to Ashmanta, a heating or cooking appliance often fueled by materials like wood or charcoal. In Rasashastra, Furnace encompasses both a worship item situated outside the lotus diagram and an apparatus for melting metal. This includes various tools and ingredients used in alchemy and metallurgy, such as crucibles, tongs, and vessels made from different materials, highlighting its significance in both practical and spiritual contexts.
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Hindu concept of 'Furnace'
In Hinduism, the term "Furnace" symbolizes a sacred tool used in rituals, signifying transformation and purification. It is associated with various materials and appliances essential for worship, cooking, and metalwork within spiritual practices.
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 3: Metals, Gems and other substances
(1) An apparatus in which heat is produced for melting metal.[1]
From: Rasa Jala Nidhi, vol 1: Initiation, Mercury and Laboratory
(1) This is an item that is to be worshipped outside the four doors of the lotus diagram, along with Vida, Kanji, apparata, alkalis, mud, salts, crucible, bent tube, husk of paddy, char coal, cow-dung cakes, bellows, several tongs, stone mortars, iron mortars, equipments of goldsmiths, balances and weights, all sorts of vessels and pots made of mud, wood, copper, iron, good medical ingredients, and coloring oils.[2]