A history of Hindu chemistry from the earliest times to the middle of the sixteenth century, A.D / with Sanskrit texts, variants, translation and illustrations [Praphulla Chandra Rāy].

  • Prafulla Chandra Ray
Date:
1902-1909
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: A history of Hindu chemistry from the earliest times to the middle of the sixteenth century, A.D / with Sanskrit texts, variants, translation and illustrations [Praphulla Chandra Rāy]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Rasajana Alcheni)’. services in the injury and oveilbrow of ene- • 1) 1 mies. In the A. V., tlie liymns for the cure of dis- eases and possession by demons of disease are known as bhaishajydjii, while those wlhch liave for their object the securing of long life and health are known as dyushydni—a term which later on gave place to I'asayana, the Sans- krit equivalent of alchemy (see p. 44). We shall quote two under the latter heading as in- vocations to pearl and its shell and gold respec- tively. “Born in the heavens, born in the sea, brought on from the river (Sindhu), this shell, born of gold, is life-prolonging amulet.” “The bone of the gods turned into pearl : that, animated, dwells in the waters. That do I fasten upon thee unto life, lustre, strength, longevity, unto a life lasting a hundred autumns. May the (amulet) of pearl protect thee!” “The o'old which is born from fire,^ the im- mortal, they bestowed upon the mortals. He who knows this deserves it : of old age dies he who wears it.” “The gold, (endowed by) the sun with beau- tiful colour, which the men of yore, rich in descendants, did desire, may it gleaming envelop thee in lustre 1 Long-lived becomes he who wears it!” While gold is regarded as the elixir of life, lead is looked upon as the dispeller of sorcery ; (1) Bloomfield’s Ny»ntx of the Athorva-rr/hi :—Introduc- tion, p. XLVl. (2) Among the five kinds of gold referred to in Rosaratnaxatiw- ,/h/taya (]). 58), (born from fire) is one.