History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c14.18

c14.18

In the Atharvaveda the hymns for the cure of diseases and of possessions by demons of disease are known as "bhaishajyani", while those which have for their object the prolongation of life and preservation of youth and health are known as "ayushyani"—a term which later on gave place to "rasayana" the Sanskrit equivalent of alchemy. As illustrations, we shall quote here two such hymns under the latter heading, which are in the form of invocations to pearl and shell and to gold respectively.