[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956) › c17.9 # History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c17.9 History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c17.9 - **Language:** English ### [c17.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17.9) What is it that made the Tantras the repositories of chemical knowledge? In contrast to the highly philosophical religion of the Upanishads, accessible only to the upper intellectual classes of the society and according to which salvation or the highest end of life is attained only by right conduct through numerous births and re-births, Tantras offer an easy liberation for all even in this life by enjoining certain rites and ceremonies. Therefore, the ascetic who aspires after liberation in this life must preserve his body for the fulfilment of these rites and ceremonies. According to the Tantras, preservation of the body is achieved by the use of mercury, medicaments and breathing exercises. Tantras, therefore, deal with medicinal preparations consisting mostly of mercury, calculated to make the body undecaying and immortal for the emancipation of a man while alive. In all the Tantric treatises the word \*rasa\* has been used to mean mercury. Thus they came to be the repositories of many chemical informations and alchemical recipes. - [Previous: c17.8](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17.8) - [Next: c17.10](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17.10) - [Up: c17](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17.9](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1956.c17.9) · Pramāṇa