Encyclopedia of India–China Cultural Contacts v2.c14.s4.t3.23

v2.c14.s4.t3.23

In Zhenguan 22ⁿᵈ year (648 CE), Wang Xuance returned to China. And he also brought with him a Brahmin necromancer, Nārāyaṇasvāmin, who claimed to be 200-year-old and had acquired the method of longevity. Emperor Taizong treated him with great respect and arranged him to live in the Jinbiao Palace to make life-prolonging drugs under the supervision and management of Cui Dunli, minister of the Ministry of War. He also sent envoys to various places to collect magic medicines and stones. Several months later, the life-prolonging drugs were produced but were not as effective as what Emperor Taizong had expected, so he sent Nārāyaṇasvāmin back. But Nārāyaṇasvāmin died in Chang'an before departure, and it's most likely that he should be held responsible for the death of Emperor Taizong. According to Records of Tang volume 52, Emperor Taizong took the 'Elixir of Life' made by an Indian monk, and died of a sudden disease soon. And this Indian monk was Nārāyaṇasvāmin.