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Rasayana Shastra (रसायनशास्त्रम्) (view source)
Revision as of 00:25, 21 April 2020
, 00:25, 21 April 2020→Chemistry in Minerals and Metals: added content and references
* 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.
* Prasastapada had proposed in his Padarthadharma-sarhgraha that atoms (anu) form - through dyads (dvyanuka) and triads, (tryanuka), gross bodies (`molecules' in modern terminology) and 'this gives rise to different qualities in a substance'.<ref name=":2">''[http://eprints.nmlindia.org/5802/1/1-24.PDF Minerals and Their Exploitation in Ancient and Pre-modern India]'' by Prof. A. K. Biswas</ref>
Thus broadly the origin and composition of matter had the foundations in our ancient texts.
Thus broadly the origin and composition of matter had the foundations in our ancient texts.
==== Chemistry in Minerals and Metals ====
==== Chemistry in Minerals and Metals ====
Many processes involved in extraction of metals from ores to their purification deal with the advanced knowledge of chemistry. Many ancient scientists (rshis) had is knowledge.
Many processes involved in extraction of metals from ores to their purification deal with the advanced knowledge of chemistry. Many ancient scientists (rshis) had is knowledge.
* [[Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्)|'''Rasashastra''']]: The development of Rasashastra took place with regards to the processing and the use of mercury, metals, minerals and many of their compounds for alchemical as well as therapeutic purposes. Many new methods/procedures/techniques for the treatment of mercury, metals/minerals were developed to convert these into pharmaceutically most suitable forms/compounds which are non-toxic, highly absorbable and most effective in therapeutics. Alchemical experiments (Lohavedha) were initially explored to remove poverty from the world by the monk of Buddhist order, Nagarjuna and his followers.<ref>Joshi, Damodar. (1997) ''History of Technology in India, Vol. 1, From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. by A. K. Bag.'' New Delhi: Indian National Science Academy. (Chapter Mercurial and Metallic Compunds: Page 256)</ref>
[[Rasashastra (रसशास्त्रम्)|Rasashastra]]: The development of Rasashastra took place with regards to the processing and the use of mercury, metals, minerals and many of their compounds for alchemical as well as therapeutic purposes. Many new methods/procedures/techniques for the treatment of mercury, metals/minerals were developed to convert these into pharmaceutically most suitable forms/compounds which are non-toxic, highly absorbable and most effective in therapeutics.
* '''Chemical Apparatus''': A large number of equipment, crucibles, furnaces etc., for processing of minerals and metals are described (Rasarnava). Rasaratnasamucchya contains description of several kinds of crucibles made of fireclay (vahnimrttika), funaces, implements and equipment to be used in the alchemical laboratory.
* '''Flame tests''': Specific colors of flames are due to specific salts of copper, tin, lead (Rasarnava 49). This test is also practiced in present day as preliminary test to identify the compounds.
Alchemical experiments (Lohavedha) were initially explored to remove poverty from the world by the monk of Buddhist order, Nagarjuna and his followers.
* '''Extraction of Copper''': Procedures were described for making copper metal from makshika (7.12-13) vimala (7.20-21) sasyaka (7.41-44) in Rasarnava text. While makshika and vimala are identified as pyrites (Copper pyrite ores) sasyaka is copper sulphate. All three products yielded Tamra or copper. Copper was discovered long before the Daltonian chemistry came into existence.
* '''Corrosion''': Six metals were arranged in the increasing order of corrosion (Rasarnava 7.89-90) - gold, silver, copper, iron, tin and lead. Sulphur was highly reactive with most of the metals.<ref name=":2" />
* '''Chemical Processes''': Reduction-Oxidation in mineral-metal-metaloxide systems, conversion to sulphides were described in Rasaratnasamucchaya text. For preparation of pharmaceutical grade products for human consumption, many intermediary operations were described: purification of the mineral, metallic extraction (satvapaatana), liquefaction, distillation, incineration etc were performed.
* '''Preparation of Alloys''': Mishra-loha or mixed metals were prepared. Alloys of five metals (Pancha-loha) which is used till date to prepare auspicious idols and eight metals (ashtadhatu) were developed.
* '''Zinc Technology''': The Zawar zinc technology produced high-zinc (28%) brass alloy not produced anywhere else in the rest of the world. The zinc retorts were similar to those described in Rasaratnasamucchyaa text.
* Bidri Alloy: The alloy produced in the South Indian town of Bidar, contained Zinc (76-98%), Copper (2-10%), at times Lead (1-8%), tin (1-5%) and trace of Iron. Darkening of the Bidriware made was done by applying a paste of ammonium chloride, potassium nitrate, sodium chloride and copper sulphate.
== References ==
== References ==
[[Category:Shastras]]
[[Category:Shastras]]
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