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==== Samkhya-Patanjala Yoga View of Cosmic Evolution ====

==== Samkhya-Patanjala Yoga View of Cosmic Evolution ====

According to Samkhya-Yoga schools of thought, cosmogony is based on the principles of conservation, transformation and dissipation of energy and the conception of space (desha) and time (kala). Universe, according to Samkhya, evolved out of an unmanifested cosmic nature termed Prakriti or Avyakta, the ultimate ground. It is believed to be made of infinitesimal reals or gunas, representing substantive entities. They are classified under three heads  

P. C. Ray in the History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India<ref name=":1" /> briefly discusses the Indian theories of evolution and their relation to modern concepts of matter and energy. Samkhya-Yoga schools of thought, according to him, describe cosmogony as based on the principles of conservation, transformation and dissipation of energy and the conception of space (desha) and time (kala). Universe, according to Samkhya, evolved out of an unmanifested cosmic nature termed Prakriti or Avyakta, the ultimate ground. It is believed to be made of infinitesimal reals or gunas, representing substantive entities. They are classified under three heads  

- sattva - the essence or intelligence  

- sattva - the essence or intelligent matter  

- rajas - the energy or action

- rajas - the energy

- tamas - the inertia or material  

- tamas - the inertia or material substance

These three gunas exist together in equilibrium or uniform diffusion in the infinite continuum, Prakriti.   

These three gunas exist together in equilibrium or uniform diffusion in the infinite continuum, Prakriti. Samkhya attributes the character of both quantum (parichhinatva) and continuity or extension (pariman) to both energy and matter similar to modern concepts. Prakriti is in a state of perfect equipoise with all its gunas in equilibrium representing evolution under arrest. A disturbance of this equilibrium through transcendental or magnetic influence exerted by Purusha (the Absolute) on the Avaykta sets the evolutionary process in motion. The disturbance of the original equilibrium in Prakriti led to an unequal aggregation or collection of gunas representing a creative transformation accompanied by evolution of motion (parispanda) according to a universal definite law. Cosmic evolution is two-fold creative as well as destructive, dissimulative and assimilative, catabolic and anabolic in nature. Samkhya principles also show concurrence with the laws of causation, conservation of mass and energy as well as their transformations. 

 

 

Hiranyagarbha signifies the 'golden womb' or source of creation. Described as the cosmic entity it represents the potential and creative force behind worldly existence. Hiranyagarbha is the Prana, the vital force, the first manifestation as per Chandogya Upanishad. The whole cosmos is governed and activated by Prana.<ref>''Chandogya Upanisad'' (S. Lokeswarananda, Trans.). (1995). Sri Ramakrishna Math.</ref>  

== Chemistry in Ancient India ==

== Chemistry in Ancient India ==

In ancient India, chemistry served medicine on one hand - in the preparation of a number of medicines—and technology on the other—for preparing colors, steels, cements, spirits, etc. While knowledge of metals and oxides was prevalent, of the metallic medicines, mercury was particularly popular. In Rigveda there is a mention of gold, silver, copper, bronze among metals or metallic objects.<ref name=":1" /> Various chemical processes generally described in the ancient treatises are those of extraction, purification, tempering, calcination, powdering, liquefying, precipitation, washing, drying, steaming, melting, filing, etc. Later, all these processes were applied to various metals, using special apparatuses or yantras and reagents and heating to different degrees—high, average and low.<ref>Chattopadhyaya, D. (1982). ''Studies in the history of science in India'' (Vol. 1). Editorial Enterprises.</ref> Chemistry was vigorously pursued in India during the Mahäyäna phase of activity of Buddhism as seen from the text Rasa-ratnäkara ascribed to Acharya Nagarjuna.  

In ancient India, chemistry served medicine on one hand - in the preparation of a number of medicines—and technology on the other—for preparing colors, steels, cements, spirits, etc. While knowledge of metals and oxides was prevalent, of the metallic medicines, mercury was particularly popular. In Rigveda there is a mention of gold, silver, copper, bronze among metals or metallic objects.<ref name=":1" /> Various chemical processes generally described in the ancient treatises are those of extraction, purification, tempering, calcination, powdering, liquefying, precipitation, washing, drying, steaming, melting, filing, etc. Later, all these processes were applied to various metals, using special apparatuses or yantras and reagents and heating to different degrees—high, average and low.<ref>Chattopadhyaya, D. (1982). ''Studies in the history of science in India'' (Vol. 1). Editorial Enterprises.</ref> Chemistry was vigorously pursued in India during the Mahayana phase of activity of Buddhism as seen from the text Rasa-ratnakara ascribed to Acharya Nagarjuna.  

== Traditional Chemical Practices in India ==

== Traditional Chemical Practices in India ==

The industries which sustained on chemical process may be classified broadly under the following headings.<ref>Danino. Michel, [https://www.academia.edu/23305766/Technology_in_Ancient_India_-_Michel_Danino Technology in Ancient India]</ref>

The industries which sustained on chemical process may be classified broadly under the following headings.<ref>Danino. Michel, [https://www.academia.edu/23305766/Technology_in_Ancient_India_-_Michel_Danino Technology in Ancient India]</ref>

# Ayurvedic Preparations including mercurial compounds are discussed in [[Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्)|Rasashastra]] and [[Rasayana (रसायनम्)|Rasayana]].  

# Ayurvedic Preparations: medical preparations including purificatory processes of mercurial compounds involved chemical reactions and apparatuses are discussed in [[Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्)|Rasashastra]] and [[Rasayana (रसायनम्)|Rasayana]].

# Pottery: Involves prolonged heating, fusion, evaporation, and treatment of minerals and pigments.

# Pottery: Involves prolonged heating, fusion, evaporation, and treatment of minerals and pigments.

# [[Mineralogy (धातुशास्त्रम्)]] or the study of Minerals, broadly involves mining of Metal Ores such as those of Gold, silver, copper, lead, tin, zinc and iron and preparation of alloys such as bronze, and brass.

# [[Mineralogy (धातुशास्त्रम्)]] or the study of Minerals, broadly involves mining of Metal Ores such as those of Gold, silver, copper, lead, tin, zinc and iron and preparation of alloys such as bronze, and brass.

# [[Chitrakarma (चित्रकर्म)]] or the art of painting used a variety of chemicals, mordants and pigments from vegetable and mineral sources.

# [[Chitrakarma (चित्रकर्म)]] or the art of painting used a variety of chemicals, mordants and pigments from vegetable and mineral sources.

# Dyeing: Numerous dyes from vegetable and mineral sources, use of mordants for textiles, craft paints  

# Dyeing: Numerous dyes from vegetable and mineral sources, use of mordants for textiles, craft paints  

# Glass  

# Glass making

=== Origin of Paints ===

=== Origin of Paints ===