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Rasayana Shastra (Samskrit: रसायनशास्त्रम्) referred to the subject of Chemistry based on the chemical activities involved in biological and inorganic processes. It was also called Rasatantra, Rasa Kriya or Rasa Vidya roughly translating to 'Science of Liquids'. "Rasa" in ayurvedic terminology refers to mercury and [[Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्)|Rasashastra]] exclusively deals with the treatment using mercury and its compounds. The term "Rasayana" means It is well known that science and technology in ancient and medieval India covered all the major branches of human knowledge and activities, including mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, medical science and surgery etc.  

Rasayana Shastra (Samskrit: रसायनशास्त्रम्) referred to the subject of Chemistry based on the chemical activities involved in biological and inorganic processes. It was also called Rasatantra, Rasa Kriya or Rasa Vidya roughly translating to 'Science of Liquids'. "Rasa" in ayurvedic terminology refers to mercury and [[Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्)|Rasashastra]] exclusively deals with the treatment using mercury and its compounds. It is well known that science and technology in ancient and medieval India covered all the major branches of human knowledge and activities, including mathematics, astronomy, physics, chemistry, medical science and surgery etc.  

Chemistry is the study of elements present in the universe which involves the nature of the elements, their occurrence, their physical and chemical properties, their compounds, reactivity, uses and applications. Ancient samskrit literary works supported by the archaeological excavations all over the nation have proved the development of this science as early as the vedic period. The earliest evidence of chemical knowledge possessed by the ancient Indians in the  prehistoric age has been brought to light by the findings of archaeological excavations in Baluchistan, Sindh and Punjab. The ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization that have been unearthed at in these areas furnish much information about the chemical knowledge acquired by the Indus Valley people, particularly with reference to the practical arts like pottery, brick-making, and extraction and working of metals.<ref>Ray, P. (1956) ''History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray.'' Calcutta: Indian Chemical Society</ref>

Chemistry is the study of elements present in the universe which involves the nature of the elements, their occurrence, their physical and chemical properties, their compounds, reactivity, uses and applications. Ancient samskrit literary works supported by the archaeological excavations all over the nation have proved the development of this science as early as the vedic period. The earliest evidence of chemical knowledge possessed by the ancient Indians in the  prehistoric age has been brought to light by the findings of archaeological excavations in Baluchistan, Sindh and Punjab. The ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization that have been unearthed at in these areas furnish much information about the chemical knowledge acquired by the Indus Valley people, particularly with reference to the practical arts like pottery, brick-making, and extraction and working of metals.<ref name=":1">Ray, P. (1956) ''History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray.'' Calcutta: Indian Chemical Society</ref>

The findings testify to the facts that the people in the remote ages were acquainted with the art of making painted potteries as well as with the preparation and working of metallic copper.

The findings testify to the facts that the people in the remote ages were acquainted with the art of making painted potteries as well as with the preparation and working of metallic copper. Prafulla Chandra Ray was a renowned researcher of chemistry, who set up several chemical industries in Bengal and is regarded as the "Father of Indian Chemistry" in modern times.

== Introduction ==

== Introduction ==

Chemistry in ancient India, had its origin revealed through the great works of our ancient rishis can be attributed to three major areas

Chemistry in ancient India, had its origin revealed through the great works of our ancient rishis can be attributed to three major areas<ref name=":1" />

* intellectual speculation about the nature and composition of matter

* intellectual speculation about the nature and composition of matter

* development of practical arts to meet the demand for the necessities of life

* development of practical arts to meet the demand for the necessities of life

== Constitution and Properties of Matter ==

== Constitution and Properties of Matter ==

Chemistry involves the study of fundamental properties of matter and atoms. and their inter-relationship. The Ayurvedic period constitutes the most flourishing and fruitful age of ancient India relating to the accumulation and development of chemical sciences which at that time was closely associated with medicine. The physical and chemical theories were intricately associated with the [[Srshti Siddhanta (सृष्टिसिद्धान्तः)|srshti siddhantas]] propounded in the darshana shastras most importantly Samkhya and Vaiseshika. Ayurveda was founded on the theories of cosmic evolution in [[Ayurveda and Darshanas (आयुर्वेदः दर्शनानि च)|Darshanas]].  

Chemistry involves the study of fundamental properties of matter and atoms, and their inter-relationships. The Ayurvedic period constitutes the most flourishing and fruitful age of ancient India relating to the accumulation and development of chemical sciences which at that time was closely associated with medicine. The physical and chemical theories were intricately associated with the [[Srshti Siddhanta (सृष्टिसिद्धान्तः)|srshti siddhantas]] propounded in the vedic, upanishadic and darshana shastras. Ayurveda was founded on the theories of cosmic evolution in [[Ayurveda and Darshanas (आयुर्वेदः दर्शनानि च)|Darshanas]] most importantly of Samkhya and Vaiseshika.<ref name=":1" />

Chemistry dealt primarily with the composition and changes of matter and the underlying principles were deduced in a systematic and logical way purely based on thoughts with little or no experimental proofs. Yet many such theories, the products of intellectual perfection and sublime intuition, stand in good comparison with some of the most recent and advanced scientific ideas of the present time. Here we come across a few ancient concepts with particular reference to srshti (theories of cosmogenesis) and origin of jagat (universe) with respect to matter and particles and their connection with chemistry.

Chemistry dealt primarily with the composition and changes of matter and the underlying principles were deduced in a systematic and logical way purely based on thoughts with little or no experimental proofs. Yet many such theories, the products of intellectual perfection and sublime intuition, stand in good comparison with some of the most recent and advanced scientific ideas of the present time. Here we come across a few ancient concepts with particular reference to srshti (theories of cosmogenesis) and origin of jagat (universe) with respect to matter and particles and their connection with chemistry.

* Samkhya siddhanta (supported by Yoga sutras of Patanjali) describes the principles of conservation, transformation and dissipation of energy. Additionally the conception of space (desha) and time (Kala) are also discussed.

* Samkhya siddhanta (supported by Yoga sutras of Patanjali) describes the principles of conservation, transformation and dissipation of energy. Additionally the conception of space (desha) and time (Kala) are also discussed.

* Vaiseshika siddhanta propounded the particulate theory of matter ([[Padarthas (पदार्थाः)|Padarthas)]] to describe the nature of different substances that make up this jagat.

* Vaiseshika siddhanta propounded the particulate theory of matter ([[Padarthas (पदार्थाः)|Padarthas)]] to describe the nature of different substances that make up this jagat.

Thus broadly the origin and composition of matter  

Thus broadly the origin and composition of matter had the foundations in our ancient texts.

 

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Shastras]]

[[Category:Shastras]]

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