BC - 800 AD

16 Pages·2012·7.34 MB·English

Bull. Ind. Inst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXIII pp 151to 166
A BRIEF HISTORY OF INDIAN ALCHEMY COVERING
PRE-VEDIC TO VEDIC AND AYURVEDIC PERIOD
(CIRCA 400 B.C. - 800 A.D.)
MOMIN ALI*
ABSTRACT
History of Indian alchemy can be traced 10 prn-Ve dr-: period. The
Archacoloqic al excavations at Mnl1"niodaro and Haraopa in II", Indus valley
have hrouqht to light ihat . Ihe people in ancient India were possessinq
chemical knowledge as early as in the pre-historic period. In Vedic perion
single herbs were prescribed. Minerals and animal substances were also
prescribed but no compound perparations Were in use. /,Ichemy in India,
was started for the preparation of an elixir of life for impar tinc imrnor talitv
and later for the transrnuration process for converting base metals into qold.
Indian alchemy derived its colour and flavour to a .arqe extent from the
Tantric cult. Then, during the iatro-chemical period all the previous
accumulat ed alchemical ideas were put into somethrng more practical and
tanqib le, A number of preparations of mercury and other mct als vvc.t«:
evolved as helpiul accessories in medic.n c.
Here a brief history of the Indian alchemy is presenred whi ch will
,n
qiv c an idea about the development of "he,mi":11 kn()wlotigo in l"d,.l it:
multiple aspecrs
Introduction: than irnaq ined until now. Mineral
pitch and other drugs found even
Alchemy the forerunner of modern
after thousands of years of oblivion
chemistry was very much popular
at Mohenjo-daro excavations, reveal
in different periods of history in
that, as early as 2500 years B C. in
India, Chin a, Egypt Greece, Arabia
pre-Vedic period. the Indus valley
and Western Europe." The Indian
alchemy, which is an art as well as a people had n knowledge of the
science, owns a very ancient history mineral drugs of preventive and
*
Res.,arch Otficer I/C. Indian Institute of Hisrorv of r,'~d:cine. OiviC Buildings, Putlibowli,
Hvcerabac - 500195.
1. A Concise History of Science in India'. Bose. D.M. et al (1971) Indian National Science
Academy. Bahadur Shah Zefar Marq, New Delhi-1 p, nos. 309-310
152 Bull. Ind. lnst .Hist. Med. Voi, XXIII
curative value InVedic period mostly WiJY, Indian alchemy was evolved and
single herbs were used as medicines. developed to achieve two objectives,
Minerals and animal substances were firstly to prepare the elixir of life for
also prescribed but no compound attaining immortality and, secondly
preparations were in use." Apart to transform base metals into higher
from the art of treating diseases metals. To achieve these objectives
there also existed the art of rejuvena- the alchemists developed complicated
ting the aged. Atharvaveda contains processes and secret practices invol-
two kinds of hymns - one for the ving the metals, minerals and herbs.
cure of diseases and possession Later on 'Rasavana' was almost
by demons of disease, called exclusively applied to the employment
as 'Bhaisajvani', and the other, for of mercury and other metals in medi-
securing of long life and preservation cine. So it is believed that in India,
of health and youth, named as more so than in Europe, chemistry
'Avusvani' -aterm later on, was known has however, been evolved chiefly
as 'Rasavana'. the Sanskrit equivalent as a handmaid of medicine, and
of alchemy. In Vedic literature the somewhat later on, as an adjunct of
fermented juice of 'Soma' plant was the Tantric cuIt.S
considered as 'Arnrta' (ambrosia) i.e.
the drug of rejuvenation cum-immor- Systematic evolution of Indian
tality. It can therefore be said that alchemy in the form of 'Rasasastra'
the Hasavana system of Indian medi- took place since the time of Nagarjuna,
cine, i.e. the Indian alchemy was and the mercury, sulphur, mica and
founded with the aim of prolonging other metals and minerals as well as
human life, and later on it became poisons assumed great importance.
the art of rejuvenation and even of From the second century onwards,
immortality. the Indian alchemy progressed more
and more into a regular science and
Among the two kinds of medicines, reached its peak during the next six
as described in Caraka Sarnhita. centuries which was incorporated in
priority is given to 'Rasavana: for Ayurveda. Thus, 'Rasasastra' started
promoting the strength, vitality, health, asthe Indian alchemy, i.e,pharmaceu-
and virility, and then comes next in tical chemistry retaining the objective
rank, the medicine proper, for curing of rejuvenation, and in course of time
diseases (ca.ci1/13-14). In this a number of pharmaceutical prepara-
2. The Charaka Sarnhi ta, Vol. 1, Shree Gulab Kunvaraba Ayurvedic Soceity, Jamnagar, India,
(1949), p. No. 321.
3. A History of Hindu Chemistry, P. C. Ray (1903), Vol. 1, The Bengal Chemical & Pharma-
ceutical works Ltd. Calcutta, p. nos. VIII - IX
A Brief History of Indian Alchemy-Momin A/i 153
tions of mercury, sulphur and other nent owns a very ancient history,
metals and minerals as well as which can be traced to as early as
poisons were incorporated in it, for the prevedic or prehistoric period.
the treatment of various diseases. The pre-Harappan settlements of
Baluchistan and the neighbourinq
The word 'Rasa' as used in the areas of Sind are the earliest commu-
alchemical literature is in general nities, known so far, belonging to
reserved for mercury, though it is about 4000 B.C. Archaeological
equally applicable to a mineral or a evidences show that these people
metallic salt also. In its fully deve- were knowing the art of extracting
loped form, the mercury - based copper from the ores of copper,
alchemy in India, relates to male- working the metal into various articles
female symbolism (Siva and Parvatt). 4 and pottery making and also colouring
the same with two or more colours,
Now, the use of mercury both in
so it can be said that these people of
alchemy and in medicine is well
pre-historic period laid the foundation
known, which is found only in later
literature i.e. the earliest Tantric texts of chemistry of metallurgy in Indian
in the 5th or 6th century A.D. Mercury subcontinent.
isentirely unknown in earlier literature.
It is mentioned only once in Caraka Archaeological excavtions have
Sarnhita. once in the Bower Manus-
brought to light an another prehistoric
cript of 4th century A.D. and twice in
settlement in India at Mohen-jodaro
Susruta Sarnhita But if calcined
in Sind and Harappa in Punjab,
metals were alchemical preparations,
then Indian alchemy is ancient." known as Indus Valley Civilization
or Harappan Culture, flourished at
The history of Indian alchemy about 2500 B C and continued to
can be divided into prevedic or about 1800 B C (According to other
pre-historic, vedic. post-vedic or
authorities this civilization existed
Ayurvedic, Tantric and iatrochemical
between 2600 BC. and 1700 B.C.
periods.
which seems to have ended between
1700 BC. and 1500 BC.)6 The
Pre-Vedic Period
pottery vessels, articles of faience.
(Circa 4000 B.C. - 1500 B.C ) beads. metallic objects etc. found at
these sites have revealed the know-
Alchemy in the Indian subconti- ledge of chemistry possessed by
4. A concise Hist o-v of Scie nce in India, Bose D.M. er. al (1971) Indian National Science
Academy. New Delhi. p nO.317.
S. Indian Alchemy or Rasayana. S. Mahdihassan (1979). Vikas publishing House Pv1. Ltd.
New Delhi. p. Nos. 50- >1.
6. 'The fall of Harappa·. D. Balasubramanian. Published in THE HINDU. news paper. Wednesday,
September 22.1993. p. no. 19.
15·1 Bull. Ind. inst . Hist. Ivled, VOl. XXIII
these people. They were using various believed that, iron was introduceci
tools and weapons made of copper into India by about 1000-800 B.C.
and bronze Lead and tin were also The remarkable achievements of the
used, though tin was always occured Harappan people in the field of
alloyed with copper in the form practical chemical arts of pottery,
of bronze. Gold was used for metal working, use of minerals and
making jewellery and silver was used the like have been brought to light
for jewellery and also for ornamental through the archaeological excava-
vessels. They were using a large tions S
number of minerals, ores and rocks
such as; lapislazuli. turquoise, rock The Indus valley civilization
crystal, limestone, soapstone, alaba- declined most probably around
ster, haematite, amethyst. slate, 2000 B.C. due to the attacks
agate, jasper, chalcedony, onyx, of Barbarians from the north-west.
bitumen, steatite, sodalite, jade, As a result of which migration of the
follingite, arsenical pyrites etc. Most Indus valley people started towards
of these were found in the form of the Gangetic plains and the hilly
beads pendants etc. Cerrusite and regions to the south-east most
Cinnabar have also been found there probably after 2000 B C. but before
which were probably used for plasters. 1500 B C. Dur inq this period which
eye-salves and hair-washes. Galena is known as post Harappan period,
was employed for the preparation of very little evidence of any intellectual
arid cultural activities is found till
eye-salves and paints Further,
the advent of the Aryans, at about
evidence has also been obtained that
1700 B C. However. a large number
they were acquainted with the art of
of pottery, iron, silver and copper
dyeing cotton with the red colouring
implements, containing some percen-
matter of the madder root." tage of lead and silver articles
admixed with some percentage of
In this way the people of Indus gold were found belonging to this
valley were using a variety of mine- period, in the Gangetic basin and
rals for ornamental. cosmetic and on the uplands to the south-east,
medicinal purposes. However, a fact notably at Gungeria, Balaghat (c p.)
of special siqnific ance is that. the in the valleys of the Ganges and
metallurgy of iron was unknovvn to the .Jarnuna and at or about the
tile Hnrappan metal workers. It is Ranchi unlands.!
7. History of Cbemistrv in '\nci€nt and Medieval India. P. Ray (1956). Indian Chemical Society.
(alcLJtta, p nos. 29-30.
8 A Concise History of Science ;n India, Bose DM ct al (1971), National Science Academy,
New Delhi p no. 283.
9. History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, PRay (1956). Indian Chemical
Society, Cntcu na p. nos. 31-33.
A Brief History of Indian Alchemy-Momin Il/i 155
Vedic Period the same with different colours. They
(Circa 1500 B.C. 600 BC ) were also well aware of art of dyeing
with certain natural vegetable colou-
After the pre-vedic period, starts ring matters. Following the Rqveda,
the next phase of the history of Indian there are the other three Vedas viz.
art and culture of a new set of people the Sarnveda. the Yajurveda, and the
known to be as the Indo-Aryans, Atharvaveda, composed probably
which gives a glimpse of the chemical during the 1000 B.C. to 100 B.C,
knowledge possessed by them. The Atharvaveda being the latest.
H.gveda (1500-1200 B.C. or possibly
of an even earlier period), which is In the Sukla Yajurveda, six, metals
the earliest record of the sacred viz ayas (gold) hiranva (silver), loha
hymns. rituals, thoughts followed by (copper) Syama (iron), sisa (lead)
the Aryans and as well as the medicine trapu (tin) are mentioned. But in
and alchemy prevalent then, mentions the Atharvaveda, gold has been
the use of various metals like silver, referred to as harita (yellow), and
copper bronze, and gold. The term like that silver as rajata (white). and
'avas was generally used for the copper as lohita (red) 10
metals, viz. copper, bronze, or lead,
later the word 'av as' was specifically At several excavated sites, a
rssiqn ed to iron Gold was used for number of iron objects dating back
ornaments and it was b-Iievad by the to about 60C 200 B.C. have been
Vedic people that, it possessed super- found Manv iron objects have also
natural powers They were producinq been found in the iron aqe burials
the utilitarian appliances using copper (megalithic burials) in many parts (If
and bronze They were knowing very peninsular India. The probable date
well, the methods of fermentation. of the advent of iron in South India
There is plentiful mention of a number is reqarded sorrevc here between
of fermented drinks, such as Soma 1050 B C ·950 B.C. It is believe d
juice, madhu and sura Soma juice that, by about 1000 B.C - 800 B.C.
the divine drink of irnmortalitv finds the iron smelting operations were in
an honoured place in l\gveda It was vogue in India and by the fifth or
also called arnrt a (ambrosia) and the
fourth century B.C. the Indian metal
Soma plant was extold as being
workers had attained a high deqree
divine. The Vedic people had also
developed the art of making various of oerfecticn in the techniques of
types of pottery as well as paintirg producing iron and steel objects II
10. "Hist orv at Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India'. ". Ray. (1956) Indian Chemical
Society. Calcutta, p. Nos. 36 -37
11 A Concise History of SCience in India, Bose D.M. et, al (1971) Indian Ndilonal Scienre
',,;Jdl.lol'i 8ahadu Sliah Zalar MJr\.:. New Deihl 1. p. No. 2'39
156 Bull. Ind. tnst. Hist . Med. Vol. XXIII
The Atharvaveda consists mostly as alchemy was jn chaotic state,
of charms, spells, incantations, magic, starts the post-Ve dic period. This
sorcery, demonology and witchcraft. was the period 0: systematic and
It also deals with plants and veqetable scientific compilations, so it can be
products as helpful agents in the called as Ayurvedic period also. This
treatment of diseases and for the age pertains to the most flourishing
prolongation of life. The juice of and fruitful period of ancient India,
Soma plant is referred to as arnrra with regard to the accumulation and
(ambrosia), gold was regarded as the development of chemical knowledge,
elixir of life and the lead was looked which was then, closely associated
upon as the dispeller of sorcery. In with Ayurveda, which isconsidered as
the Atharvaveda, the hymns for the
a subsidiary branch of Atharvaveda.
cure of diseases and possession by
demons of disease are known as
The medicine and chemistry,
'bhaisajvani' while those, which have
for their object the securing of long during the post-Vedic period were
life and health are known as 'ayu:;yani' dominated by the abstract theories
a term which later on gave place to of the Upani-ads and the systems of
'Hasavana' the Sanskrit equivalent to
philosophies developed during this
alchemy. The alchemical notions,
which had gathered round gold, lead, period. I~ There are many works
Soma juice and other medicinal composed during this period, contai-
plants at the time of the Atharvaveda, ning valuable information on various
are of special interest, thus, Atharva- chemical practices most notable
veda is the earliest repository of
among them being the Caraka Sarnhita.
information on Ayurveda and alchemy
Susrut a Sarnhita and A~t;:-lI·lgahrdaya.
In the Vedas. medicine and for that
Progress in the knowledge of chemical
the chemical knowledge were not
compounds and of their preparation.
free from the influence of magic and
clearly seen in the Car aka and
religion So, it is believed that,
Susruta Sarnhitas. These classics
chemistry in ancient India. was
have given due importance to the
evolved chiefly as a hanrlmaid of
cornoosittons used for increasing
medicine and somewhat later on, as
virility and longevity For this purpose
an adjunct of the Tantric cult.
a number of compositions are men-
tioned in these works. Essentially
The Post-Vedic or Ayurvedic Period
the'Rasayanas' are herbal, although
(Circa 600 B.C. - 800 A.D.) sometimes references, however are
made to the use of metals along with
After the Vedic period, in which other substances of vegetable origin
the knowledge of medicine, as well as components of certain elixir s.!"
12. History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, P. Ray (1956) Indian Chemical Society.
Calcutta. p. nos. 34·40.
13. A Concise History of Science in India, Bose P.M. et. ill. (1971) Indian National Science'
Academy. New Delhi. p. nos. 315 316.
A Brief History of Indian Alchemy-Momin Ali 157
Upto the period of the Caraka some gleanings from the works of
and Su-ruta Sarnhitas. substances Bhela and Harita. bringing the subject
from the vegetable, animal and up to date Ii
mineral kingdoms were utilized. But,
in the case of inorganic remedies, From the second century A. D.
the choice, was limited to the few onwards, an increasing interest in
locally available metals and mineral, 'Ras akriva' (Pharmaceutical chemistry)
the synthesis of new inorganic com- is found. During the following six
pounds being still unknown. Inspite centuries this study developed ;.;,to
of the wide range of available varie- a regular science which was .ncorpo-
upro
ties, in many conditions, more than rated into Ayurveda. about
one drug, sometimes of different 1000A.D. the 'Ra~dYllnas' as existing
groups Or sometimes in combination were in 'Cc.akaa' age, mercurial
drugs ar.;.i alchemy as the art of gold
with animal and mineral matters were
makir.q were not yet popular. In
required. Even in tile earliest texts,
,lI.i(ha~ii.strJ. among different kinds
elaborate directions for extracting the of gold, artificial gold made from
active constituents of organic subst- other metals by chemical process
ances and homogenizing them is using mercury is mentioned. The use
found. Thus. developed th~ remar- of mercury both in alchemy and in
kable and elaborate precesses met medicine is found in India only in
within the Sari1hitas. There is little later literature, i.e in the fifth or sixth
evidence of svnthstic prepar ation s of century A D. in the earliest Tantric
either inorganic-or orqo nic compounds. cult. In the medicinal works mercury
is mentioned only once in Caraka
The extant Caraka and Su-iruta Sarnhita , once in Bower Manuscript
Sarnhitas represent not only the (4th century A D.) and twice in
chemical and ther apeutic al knowledge Su-ruta Sarnhitf
of the time of their final redaction,
but they are also repositories of Later mercurials as drugs of
informations accumulated on the rejuvenation were specifically called
subject durinq the earlier periods 'The Pasavanas whereas the previous
dating back to the Vedic age. herbomineral preparations. or calcined
metals fename·d 'Bhasrnas' (burnt).
The treatise of medicine, n~--So, Sir P C. Rav rightly remarked that.
the Caraka a~, corlt2ining 'Later on Rasayana' was almost
~I informations worthy exclusively aoplie d to the ernnlovrne nt
of note is AClai':gahrdaya, which rnav of mercury And other metals in
however be represented as an epitome medicine arid at present it also means
of the Caraka and the Susruta with alchemv.!"
14. A History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval lndia . P. Ray (1956), lndian Chemical
Society. Calcutta, p. No. 70.
15. Indian Alchemy or Rasayana, S. Mahdihasson. (1979). VI::~l'Pub.i shinq house. Pvt L:L!.
new De!hi. p, no. 70.
758 RII/!. Ind. tost Hist. Med. Vol. XXIii
Caraka Sarnhi ta subtile Bhut as. In this sense,
every substance is penta Bhautic,
It is believed by the authorities but for purpose of chemical analysis
on the subject that, there must have and synthesis i.e. considered
been a wide gap of about one thou- with reference to the Mahabhiitas.
sand years or more between the age All substances in their chemical
of Atharvaveda and that of the Caraka. constitution belong to one or other
During this period many medical of the following classes: mono-
" s might have been composed Bhautic, bi-Bhautic, tri-Bhautic, tetra-
reflec ,. the spirit and progress of Bhautic, and penta-Bhautic. Corn-
the particu ~ age. Such as the pounds of different Bhrrtas. again
significant works isted at the time may combine to form more complex
of the Car aka itself w the works substances and these in their turn
of Aqnivesa, Bhela, Jatlikar, Para- higher compounds still, .HId so on in'
sara. Harita and K~arapalli. Ca. ka progressive transformation as is more-
rnduct.,d nnd rOll10dnllorl the Aqnivn~Cl " specially the case with organic
Samhita. to which later on the last s. stances and otoducts.!'
forty-one chapters were added by
Drolhaba\a,IC, a Kashmiri physician,
Swee, our, salt, pungent, bitter
who flourished either in the 8th or and <lstringe~ regarded as the
9th century A.D, 17 six fold catalogue otjasles. Objects
are classified again into three groups
The chemical informations found viz. animal products, vegetable prod-
in the Caraka Samhita. particularly Ur.1S and products of mineral origin.
with reference to metals and metallic The animal products used as drugs
preparations, are of less advanced <He, honey milk and its products,
character than those in the Kaui ilvas bile, fat, marrow, blood, flesh, faeces,
Arthasa-tra. composed somewhere urine, skin, semen, bones, tendons,
between 321-296 B C.18 According horns, nails, hoofs, hair, bristles and
to Caraka, each oftT1e grc~s~hC~tas the bright pigment called (Gorocana).
(rnahabhutas ) is a peculi ar ultra '.' 'Ine ~·,;;:;:!~Jct?mentioned appertaining
chemical compound of five original to the earth for use as "::,:.:;_ are six
._----------------
-
16. A History of H'ndu Cherrustrv. PC. Ray (19:3). Vol 1. The Bengal Chemical & Pharmaceutical
Works Ltd, Calcutta, p. nos. xi xx & xxi.
17 A Concise History of Science in India, Bose, 0 M. et al (19711 Indian National Science
Academy, New Oeihi, p. no. 53.
,e.
History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, P. Ray (1956). Indian Chemical Society.
Calcutta, p. no. 60.
~9. The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus, Brajendrana!h Seal <1958;, Motilal Bafl"rasi
Da~. Oc:'h' p No. 57.
A Brief History of Indian Alchemv-Momin AI: 15.9
metals and their calces viz. gold, In a powder (pitaka curu a) useful
silver, copper, lead, tin and iron, in the diseases of mouth and throat
sand, lime, red arsenic, yellow realgar, vavak-ar a, orpiment, rock-salt
arsenic, gems, salt, red chalk and are given.
antimony.
For a collyrium calces of conch-
The five varieties of salts as shell, coral, lapis, lazuli, iron, copper,
described in the Caraka Samhita are: the bones of the pelican, sulphide of
sauvarcala (nitre). saindhava (rock antimony have been described as
salt), vi.la (black salt), audbhida ingredients. At another place crust
(vegetable salt) and samudra (sea of hen's eggs, sulphate of iron, iron
salt) . powder and samudraphena are given
among the ingredients of a varti. For
A number of minerals viz. sulphate
a powder of pearl compound, pearl.
of copper, sulphate of iron, realgar,
sulphur, powder of iron, copper and
orpirnent and sulphur have been
silver are given as ingredients. The
prescribed in combination with vege-
metals are always used after subjec-
table drugs for external application
ting to a particular process, called
in ringworm, eczema and leprosy etc.
'killing of metals'.
Preparation of ksara (alkali) has
For use of iron, gold and silver
also been described, i.e the ash of
Buteafrondosa is lixiviated with four as rasav ana drugs, a process has
been described i.e. their thin sheets
or six times its weight of water and
are to be made red hot and plunged
strained (through linen) 21 times,
into one of the decoctions of the
which obviously gives rise to a
myrobalans, cow's urine, the solution
solution of potash carbonate.
of the salts, the solution of the alkali
(Potash Carbonate) at a time and to
For a powder (Navavasa powder)
iron powder (bhasma) is mentioned be powdered.' 0
asone of the ingredients
Caraka mentions vegetable as
For a pill, iron compound (mall- well as animal oils. The viscous
,lClravai aka) rust of iron and pyrites (oily) substances are classified under
have been mentioned for use as four groups, butters, oils, fats and
ingredients. marrows." 1
v-».
20. A History of Hindu Chemistry. P.C. Rav (1903:. I. The Bengal-::hemical &
Pharmaceutical Works Ltd .. p.nos. 24-32.
21. The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus, B.N Seal (1!l~8)
Motilai f\3n~rasi D~s. Delhi. p.no , 68.
160 Bul!. Ind. lnst. Hist. Med. Vol. XXIII
Nine sources of spirituous liquor one which promotes the strength and
or fermented drinks have been men- vitality of the healthy, the other which
tioned in the Caraka Sarnhita which cures diseases. Whatever promotes
are cera Is, fruits, roots, wood, flowers, longevity, memory intelligence, health
stems (stal ks), leaves, barks of pia nts and virility etc. is called Hasavana.
and sugar from various suqar-vieldinq Here priority is assigned to Rasavana
canes. From these the preparation of which represents drugs of rejuvena-
84 different kinds of asava (wine) tion, and the medicine proper curing
have been described. The nine main diseases has been put next in rank.
classes of liquors from the above Nothing corresponding can be found
nine sources, are called - dhanvasava, in any other system of medicine,
phalasava, rnulasava. sarasava, puspa- certainly not in the codex of Hippo-
sav a, patrasava, kandasava, tvaqasava crates.
and sark arasava respectivelv.v-
The foremost among the Hasavanas.
Finally, it can be said, that, the in Caraka Sarnhita comes 'Cyavana
post-ve dic period was started with orasa' which was conceived and tried
Carak a, who is to Ayurveda what upon himself by the sage Cyavana,
Hippocrates is to that of Greek medi- who by its use though grown very
cine. Caraka a practising physician, old became young once again. It is
is also the first to codify medicine in celebrated as the highest Rasavan a.
India, representing rather a more or Carak agives a long receipt of Cvavana's
less final development of the subject. preparation with all ingredients as
Sir P.C. Ray is inclined to place (p xv) herbal (cikitsastha na, adhyava 1(1);
him in the pre-Buddhistic era, a much 66,69).
earlier period that does Svlvain Levi,
the French ori entalist who makes him Another vitalizer given in the
the court phvsici an of the Indo- Car ak a Sari1hita is called 'Brahrnara-
Scythian king. Kani-k a, who reigned savan a' containing Emblic myrobalans
in the 2nd century A.D. (Circa 150 and iron (cikitsasthana. adhvava 1
A.D.) However. there is general (') 58 and (3; 3) This declaration
agreement in placing him in c. 100 of its contents pinpoints a herbo-
A.D.,3 rnetalli.. preparation. In this way
another preparation' Lauhadi- rasavana'
Caraka defined 'Rasavana ' as- (iron vitalizer) is given (ciki tsasths na
therapeutics are of two kinds: _The adhvav a 1 (30; 15-23).
22. History cf Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, P. Ray (1956)
Indian Chemical Society. Calcutta, p.no. 62-63.
21. A Consise History of Science in India. Bose, D.M. "t al {1971), Inrlian National
Science Acadernv. N"w Delhi, p.no 53.