[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902) › v2.c34.218 # A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c34.218 A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c34.218 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c34.218](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34.218) The Vásavadattá and the Dasakumára Charita in the sixth century allude to the preparation of a mass of fixed or coagulated mercury (पारद-पिण्ड इव कालधातुवादिनः—वासवदत्ता); a chemical powder, the inhalation of which would bring on deep sleep or stupor (योगचूर्ण—दशकुमारचरित); a chemically prepared stick or wick for producing light without fire (योगवर्त्ति का—दशकुमारचरित); and a powder which like anæsthetic drugs or curare, paralyses sensory and motor organs (सम्बन्धूनां मिव इन्द्रियाणाम् — वासबदत्ता — धीन्द्रियकर्मेन्द्रियाणां दर्पसः). Vrinda (circa 950 A. D.) notices the preparation of sulphide of mercury (रसाष्टचूर्ण) composed of one part of sulphur, and half its weight of mercury; and also of cuprous sulphide (पर्पटिताम्र). Chakrapáni (circa 1050 A. D.) mentions the preparation of the black sulphide of mercury, "by taking equal parts of mercury and sulphur". - [Previous: v2.c34.217](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34.217) - [Next: v2.c34.219](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34.219) - [Up: v2.c34](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34) ## Cites (4) - [Cakradatta (Cikitsāsaṅgraha)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.sangraha.gauda.cakradatta) — Cakrapāṇidatta, Sanskrit - [Daśakumāracarita](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.novels.prasiddha.dasakumaracarita) — Daṇḍin, Sanskrit - [Vāsavadattā](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.novels.prasiddha.vasavadatta) — Subandhu, Sanskrit - [Siddhayoga (Vṛndasuni)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.med.sangraha.laghutrayi.siddhayoga-vrndasuni) — Vṛndasuni, Sanskrit --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34.218](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34.218) · Pramāṇa