A Concise History of Science in India c8.s3.t2.9

c8.s3.t2.9

The works of the Tantric period, devoted to the preparation of inorganic and metallic remedies, are among the most prolific and rewarding sources of the knowledge of Hindu chemistry. These works were, however, primarily concerned with rituals, alchemy and chemical processes. Their value as medical literature lies chiefly in their exposition of the medical philosophy of this school, their iatrochemical ideas and practices, and the inorganic remedies they contributed to medicine. The most important among them are: *Rasaratnākara* and *Ārogyamañjarī* of Siddha Nāgārjuna (seventh century), *Siddhayoga* of Vṛndakuṇḍa (seventh-eighth century), the *Cakrasaṃgraha* and the commentaries by Cakrapāṇidatta (eleventh century), *Rasahṛdaya* of Govinda Vāgbhaṭa (eleventh century), *Rasaratnākara* of Siddha Nityanātha, *Rasaratnasamuccaya* of Vāgbhaṭa (a namesake, living in the late twelfth century), *Rasārṇava* by Śambhu (twelfth century), *Rasendracintāmaṇi* by Rāmacandra (twelfth century) and *Rasendracūḍāmaṇi* by Somadeva (twelfth century). These works are available in most first-class collections of Āyurvedic literature in India and abroad. Many of them were edited and published during the last century, notably by the Āyurvedic Granthaśālā of Bombay.