Indian Medicine (Medicin), translated by C. G. Kashikar c8.11

c8.11

According to U. C. Dutt (Mat. Med. XII) Śārṅgadhara is the oldest author dealing with the processes of calcination and similar processes. He places the Śārṅgadhara Saṃhitā in the Mohamedan epoch, because Ahiphena and Ākarākarabha* are mentioned in it. According to its editor Jivanram, Śārṅgadhara Saṃhitā is often cited⁹ in Bhāvaprakāśa (16th cen.) and has in its turn used Vṛnda (circa 10th cen. A. D. See § 5). According to Grierson¹⁰ Śārṅgadhara Saṃhitā is to be placed about 1500 on internal grounds. Since there is a commentary¹¹ on Śārṅgadhara Saṃhitā by Vopadeva who flourished about 1300, Śārṅgadhara Saṃhitā must have been written at the latest in the 13th century. His short but solid text-book is not limited to metallic preparations, but deals with much more in three Khaṇḍas and 32