6. Ancient Indian Chemistry (Rasayana) and Metallurgy

Chemistry was known to the people in ancient India. Chemicals and medicines were hand-made. Chemists apparently devoted most of their attention to making medicines and drugs to promote health and longevity. According to D.D.Mehta 'Chemistry is a branch of Medicine, Beginning from the references to medicine in the Rgveda and 92 90 91 Atharvaveda' we can trace an unbroken continuity of 88. M.Kripacharyulu, Guntur. Sayana and Madhava y.dyaranya. (Thesis, presented to the Karnatak University, Dharwad, 1977), p.140. 89. brahmacaryena tapasa nigrahenendriyasya ca | japena dhyana - maunabhyam pranayamaih samadhina || etaih tapobhih kurute niyatah kayasosanam | sa sarva labhate kamam dusprapam natra samsayah || 1.17.123-124. 90. D.D.Mehta. Op.cit. p.86. 91. rrgveda - 1.29.9. patam te rajan bhisajah sahastramurti gabhira sumatiste'stu | 92. atharvaveda - 2.9.3. adhitoradhyagadayamadhi jivapura agan | satam ddayasya bhisajah sahastramuta virudhah ||

339 medical tradition. From them we come to know that there were hundreds of medical practitioners and thousands of 93 medicines, i.e. herbs and plants. The Rgveda has defined the functions of a physician. 'The medicinal plants have assembled as do the kings in an assembly; that Brahmana is called a physician who kills demons and diseases'. From these references we can infer that in the Vedic period medical tradition consisted of a large number of physicians and medicines. In the Rgveda (the Asvins are the heavenly physicians. Their medical and surgical achievements are many and varied (1.158.6) and to them prayers for giving medicine are offered (1.89.9). They possess great knowledge of plants and herbs; they by their power, give strength to limbs, remove old age and grant long life 94 (1.116.25). Rudra is the first heavenly physician' 95 and the best among physicians. In the Rgveda Rudra's 93. rgveda . 10.97.6. yatrosadhih samagmata rajanah samitaviva | viprah sa ucyate bhisak raksohamivacatanah || 94. rgveda - (V. S. XVII. 5 ) prathamo daivyo bhisak | 95. rgveda . 2.33.4. bhisaktamam tva bhisajam srnomi |

340 medicines are mentioned many times. i 96 Somesvara has included all types of knowledge. in the Manasollasa. First of all he shows that he was a follower of the ancestors in the field of Rasayana or Chemistry. He divides Rasayana into two types namely Kutipravesana and second vatatapasaha. Preparation of all types of medicines in the house is called Kutipravesana Rasayana. And the preparation of all types of medicines in the open ground is called the Vatatapasaha. A king has to do many works such as executive work, administrative work, and judicial work. So for the king Vatatapasaha Rasayana is preferred. Somesvara knew the art of prepara- 97 98 tion of medicines from herbs, fruits, food-grains 99 and so on. 96. rasayanakriya dedha kathita purvasuribhih | phutipravesanadeka vatatapasa para || 20 1 0 1 40 97. godharam brhati dvanda guha catiguhapi ca | etaih prakvathita peya svasa - kasa jvarartinut || 1. 19.162. 98. urdhvam pravrtte rudhire peya naiva prasasyate | jvaradhanairva phlarataih krminasam ca vasgam || 1.19.168. 11 . bhrstatandula siddhapi pippalyamalakairyuta | yavaguh saghrta paiya vistabdhamalarecani || 1. 19.164.

341 In ancient India Gold, Silver, Copper and Iron were frequently used in medicines. Iron was called Krsnayasa or the black metal; copper was called Lohitayasa or the red-metal. Harita (Yellow) was the name given to gold and Rajata (white) was the name by which silver was known. Yajurveda makes references to these metals as they were 100 According to used for the fulfilment of sacrifices. D.D.Mehta, "A regular science of mercury was developed as a branch of chemistry in ancient India. Iron and mercury are mentioned as aphoridisiacs and tonics by Varahamihira (587 A.D. ). There were several preparations of iron, copper, mercury, and other metals which were 101) utilized in medicine. Rasa meant mercury in the oldest Ayurvedic literature. Vatsyayana's Kamasutra 102 refers to sixtyfour Kalas, or arts. that were practised by Indians of his time. Among them are mentioned the testing of gold and gems, the differentiating of gems according to their weight, hardness, lustre, transparency 100. yajurveda 14.13. hiranyam ca me yasca me syamam ca me loha ca me | sisam ca me trapusca mai 01. D.D.Mehta, Op.cit. p.47. 102. vatsyayana kamasutra 1.3.16. ။ gitam vadyam nrtyam alokhyam visesakacchedyam rupyaratnapariksa dhatuvadah

342 and colour, fusibility, especially when heated in combination with the alkalis etc. In the Manasollasa, the author states Ratnapariksa (2.4.530-536). Gems were considered helpful for medicine. Somesvara tells about the origin of gems, or Manis. 'The place of origin of Padmaragamani is Simhala. Similarly Kuruvindamani is found in Kalapura, and Saugadhamani is obtained in Andhra. 103 Further Somesvara tells that Padmaragamani is the best in all the manis or gems. The place of origin of the Indranilamani is Simhaladveepa. It has four varieties, namely, White, Red, Yellow, and Black (2.4.492-493). Next the author tells about its characteristics, merits, demerits and so on (2.4.494-506). The place of origin of Marakatamani is Turkasthana. has seven demerits, five merits and eight shades (2.4.507-508). The origin of Sphatikamani is the Himalaya, Simhala, Vindhya, and the bank of Tapi river. Herein It the main divisions are two, namely, suryakanta and Candrakanta (2.4.520). Further Somesvara says, "Candrakantamani 103. simhale tu bhaved raktam padmaragamanuttamam | tu pitam kalapurobhutam kuruvindamiti smrtam || asokapallavacchayaman saugandhikam viduh | 2.4.475-476.

343 is not available in this Kaliyuga." Then he describes Pusparaga, vaidurya, Gomedha, and vidruma. Further Somesvara gives the characteristics of the manis or gems. A good gem should be put into milk. If the milk changes its colour and becomes blue, the gem is called Indranila. It is loved by God sanaiscara' 104 The gems have their own characters, first of all heaviness, second spotlessness, third lustre or radiance and fourth inflexibility 105 or hardness. These are the common characters. uses of gems are - Indranilamani gives wealth, life, The Marakatamani is used to 106 strength, and fame. counteract poison. 107