A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.s1: Chapter VI

A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.s1

Language: English

Chapter VI

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SOME NOTED INDIAN ALCHEMISTS AND THEIR WORKS.

Aufrecht in his notice of the MS. of Rasaratnasamuchchaya,[*] evidently from a mistaken notion that the pursuit of chemistry was unknown in ancient India, goes somewhat out of his way in asserting that the names of the 27 alchemists, mentioned in the beginning of that work,[†] are mostly apocryphal. We have, however, positive proofs that these personages far from being evolved out of the imagination of the author existed in real flesh and blood and contributed not a little to the progress of chemical science. Thus we read in Rasaratnákara of "chemical operations performed by Mándavya" and also find Ratnaghosha taking part in a dialogue on certain processes,[‡] Yasodhara, again, is the author of the comprehensive work named Rasaprakásasudhákara

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[*] Catalogus Catalogorum, ii, p. 116. [†] Vide Vol. i, p. 77. [‡] Eng. trans. pp. 6—8.

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which we have noticed at some length in the present volume. Vyádi is a prominent name both as a grammarian as well as a chemist. The Garudapurána quotes him as an authority on gems.* Nandí, as we have already seen, is distinctly referred to by Somadeva as the inventor of the koshthí apparatus and of the process of sublimation. †

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There are, indeed, a great many names scattered throughout the mass of chemical and medical literature, some of which have been handed down to posterity, sometimes on account of the important processes they invented and sometimes, again, because of the efficacy of the metallic preparations which they introduced. Thus in Rasendrachintámani we come across the name of Siddha Lakshmísvara. The names of the sage Brahmajyoti, Manthánabhairava, Svachchhandabhairava and Gahanánandanátha have in this manner been rescued from oblivion. Most of these were Buddhist monks.

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∗ व्याडिर्जगदां हि महाप्रभावः सिद्धो विदग्धहिततत्परया दयालुः । † Intro., lv.

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Sivadāsa in his commentary on Chakrapāṇi quotes besides Patañjali, Bhavyadattadeva as an expert on iron preparations. We give below the names of some of the authors and their works over and above those already noticed. It is scarcely possible to submit an exhaustive list.

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(Continued).

Linked texts (8)

Garuḍapurāṇa — Vyāsa, Sanskrit
Cakradatta (Cikitsāsaṅgraha) — Cakrapāṇidatta, Sanskrit
Rasaratnasamuccaya — Vāgbhaṭa (alchemist), Sanskrit
Rasaratnākara — Nityanātha Siddha, Sanskrit
Rasaprakāśasudhākara — Yaśodhara (alchemist), Sanskrit
Rasendracintāmaṇi — Ḍhuṇḍhukanātha, Sanskrit
Yogaratnākara (Mayūrapāda Bhikṣu) — Mayūrapāda Bhikṣu 1700, Sanskrit
Rasaratnadīpikā (Allarāja) — Allarāja, Sanskrit