History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c18.11

v1.c18.11

Then coming down to the period (i.e. 8th-9th century A.D and onwards) the ‘*śodhana*’ and ‘*māraṇa*’ processes are developed, through which their toxic effects are reduced to minimum possible level and the metals are converted to an ash form or to a desired compound form through the effect of some chemical reactions taking place during their processing either through grinding with or without liquids/vegetable extractives and/or heating through ‘*puṭa*’ system. In this period innumerable mercurial and metallic compounds are prepared and used for obtaining Rasayana as well as therapeutic effects. Thus, the period between 8th/9th century A.D to 12th century A.D may be considered as the golden period for the development of mercurial and metallic compounds of therapeutic value and their technology.