A Concise History of Science in India c8.s3.t2.2

c8.s3.t2.2

The early practitioners of this school were known as *Siddhas* who introduced many of the metallic preparations which were either unknown to, or not utilized in, classical Āyurvedic practice. The Tamil *Sittar* works on medicine, chemistry and allied subjects were possibly originated by the *Siddhas*. The first use of mercurial compounds in medicine is found in *Suśruta* (third-fourth century);d here the modern and surviving name of mercury, *pārada*, is used; the more ancient synonym, *sutāraḥ*, is found in the *Suśruta Saṃhita*,e but its omnipotence in all diseases and indeed in all phases of life was first propounded in Tantric texts written by the early *Siddhas*. The alchemical preparation of gold (which also was believed to be an embodiment of perfection and therefore a panacea for all ills) from mercury was another aim of this school and many supposed processes to this end are found. The classical work of Mādhavācārya (fourteenth century),f describing the sixteen schools of belief current in his time, gives a description of the *Raseśvaradarśana* (faith in divine mercury), in which the metal is believed to be the earthly embodiment of the omnipotent deity, Śiva, and as such to be worshipped. The use of mercurial preparations was also believed not only to give perfect health and cure of all diseases, but also prosperity, a perfect mind, bliss and eventual salvation.