History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c15.s1.3

c15.s1.3

The treatise of medicine, next in importance to the Charaka Samhita and the Susruta Samhita, in which we can find some chemical informations worthy of note, is Astangahridaya (*lit.* heart or the kernel of the eight limbs or divisions of medicine), due to Vagbhata. As a medical authority Vagbhata was held in high estimation throughout India next to Charaka and Susruta. Vagbhata was Buddhist by religion, as the opening salutation of his treatise, addressed to Buddha or some Buddhistic emblem, clearly reveals. He most probably flourished during the ninth century A.D. (c. 800-850 A.D.).