A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c33.s6.1

v2.c33.s6.1

There is a belief current in some parts of the Deccan that our Govinda is no other than the celebrated teacher of Saṅkarāchārya.† If there be any historical foundation for the belief Govinda should no doubt be placed in the 8th century A. D. Apart altogether from the question whether at such an early date the progress of chemical knowledge as revealed in Rasahridaya had been attained in India, the colophon at the end of the work would tell against such an hypothesis (Intro. lii). The author distinctly states that he wrote his book under the auspices of the king of the Kirātas and even throws out a hint that he was of the Buddhist persuasion. We have no valid reasons to believe that Saṅkara, the sturdy champion of Brahminical faith and the mighty dialectician, whose activity proved the ruin of Buddhism in India should have sat at the feet of a Guru of the opposite creed.