A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c32.s1.2

v2.c32.s1.2

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