History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c14.25

c14.25

Thus we find that the origin of alchemical notions gathered round gold, lead, soma juice and other medicinal plants as early as the age of the Atharvaveda in India. And as the Vedas, the sacred scriptures of the ancient Hindus, enjoyed a very high canonical sanctity and were viewed more as revelations than as human compositions, there is no wonder that medicine and, for that matter, chemical knowledge as well in ancient India have seldom been able to shake themselves completely free from the influence of magic, religion and alchemy as auxiliaries For, chemistry in ancient India, possibly more so than in Europe, was evolved chiefly as a handmaid of medicine and, somewhat later on, as adjunct of the Tantric cult The efficacy of the drug alone was by no means considered sufficient unless backed by the kindly interpretation of the deities.