Rasarnava

Author: P. C. Rai

Edition: First Edition

Features:

• Language Published: English
• Binding: hardcover

Binding: hardcover

Release Date: 01-12-2007

Details: While collecting materials for my History of Hindu Chemistry I was very mush struck with the wealth of information and chemical knowledge of which Rasarnava is the repository. Thus 'Nature' in its review of the " History of Hindu Chemistry " (Vol. I) speaking of the progress of chemistry in ancient India quotes two remarkable passages from Rasarnava : " Copper yields a blue flame....that of tin is pigeon coloured ; that of lead is pale-tinted." Among the alchemical Tantras Rasarnava holds a unique position and I have reffered to it in the following terms in the Introduction to the History of Hindu Chemistry, Vol. 1, 2nd ed. Intro. xxxiii : " It is to be regretted that of the several works quoted by Madhava Rasarnava alone seems to have survived to our days. This work is almost unknown in Bengal, and extremely rare even in North India, and the Deccan. We have been fortunate enough to procure a transcript of it in the Raghunatha Temple Library, Kashmir, and another from the Oriental MSS. Library, Madras. As one of the earliest works of the kind, which throws a flood of light on the chemical knowledge of the Hindus about the 12th century A.D. , Rasarnava must be regarded as a valuable legacy. It has, besides, the merit of being the inspirer of several works of the Intro-chemical period, not - ably Rasaratnasamuccaya and Rasendracintamani. " I have not attempted here any historical review of the Rasarnava. The probable date of the work will be found discussed at lenghts in the History of Hindu Chemistry, Vol I. Introduction, under the Tantric Period and in Vol. II. Introduction, Chapter I. under the Age of Nagarjuna and the Alchemical Tantras.

EAN: 9788183150729

Languages: English