History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c15.3

c15.3

Ayurveda means science of life; and it is believed that Atharvaveda, which deals with recipes for prolongation of life, has given birth to it. Hence, by many authorities Ayurveda is regarded as a subsidiary branch of the Atharvan, and, as such, a revealed production like the Vedas themselves. There is little evidence of any notable addition to the knowledge and practice of chemistry since the days of the Atharvaveda to the time of Gautama Buddha. The post-Vedic period of Brahmanas and Upanishads was, however, conspicuous, as already stated, by the development of philosophical doctrines which ultimately culminated in the building up of the six systems of Hindu philosophies. Theories relating to the origin, constitution and structure of matter, as we have seen, were formulated in some of these philosophies. It may, therefore, be stated that the ancient Indians or Hindus made a significant contribution to the work of constructing scientific concepts and methods in the investigation of physical phenomena, which they freely applied to the development of medicine and chemistry. Their position in this respect can in no way be regarded as inferior to that of the Greeks.