A History of Indian Medical Literature v3.c44.s48.18

v3.c44.s48.18

Śaṃkara's materia medica contains for the greater part common names of āyurvedic drugs, but rare or new names are also met with. The use of mercury, 311 sulphur, etc., is not inconsiderable, whereas the number of rasas is quite limited. 312 Alchemical yantras are mentioned sporadically. 313 Religious elements are infrequently encountered: Ghaṭotkaca 314 should be worshipped by patients suffering from śītalā (13.148, 150, 157), as well as Śiva and Gaurī (13.157). Two mantras are found in this work, one with the object of acquiring a son (15.184), the other, quoted from the Viṣṇupurāṇa, against snake-bites (15.271).