A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c43.s16.t3.2

v3.c43.s16.t3.2

Since the *Bheṣajakalpa* (73: aphenaka) and the *Rasapradīpikā* (chapter two) both mention opium, it is impossible to assign these works to a period much anterior to about 1200. The reference to a group of five balās (balāpañcaka: 10) and other features of the materia medica of the *Bheṣajakalpa* seem to confirm this upper limit, while the lower limit is provided by the date of Veṅkaṭeśa's commentary.