International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 5 Issue 4, May-June 2021 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Concept of Chemical Science in Vedic Literature

Dr. Debajyoti Jena
Assistant Professor (Senior Scale), Department of Sanskrit & Indian Culture,
SCSVMV University, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu, India

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Dr. Debajyoti Jena

The whole Sanskrit Literature is enriched with different sources of knowledge "Concept of Chemical Science in Vedic
from the beginning itself. Moreover the Vedic literature is something different Literature" Published
from the classical literature which stands to prove the origin and development in International
of science and technology of the then period. In this paper an effort has made Journal of Trend in
to highlight the concept of Chemical science as reflected in Vedic literature. Scientific Research
and Development
KEYWORDS: Chemical Science, Satva, Rajas, Tamas, Pritirupa, Apritirupa, (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456-
Vi?adarupa, Padartha, Anu, Paramanu, Bhautika Parivartana, Rasayanika 6470, Volume-5 | IJTSRD41144
Parivartana, Rajata, Tamra, Lauha, Bhasma, Yajurveda, Atharvaveda, Ayurveda, Issue-4, June 2021,
Rasaka, Lohavedha, Dehavedha, Kayakalpa, Rasaratna Samucaya pp.43-45, URL:
www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd41144.pdf

Copyright © 2021 by author(s) and

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INTRODUCTION
India is considered as the soil of Intellects. Through the The present science believes that the whole universe stands
intellectual power and ability of the intellects, she touches with three different elements such as Proton, Electron and
the highest peak. The culture, tradition, belief, faith and Neutron. To understand these three elements we may have
devotion are the sources of knowledge to make her great. their definition as such. The first element Proton is the
The knowledge is not at all restricted to the spiritual, collection of the force to attract (Ᾱkaraṣaṇa) all near to it.
religious and social dimensions, but it also extends its The second element Electron is the force of repulsion
approach in the realm of the Sciences i.e. Physical Science, (Apakarṣaṇa) and the third element Neutron is completely
Medical Science, Engineering and Mathematics and is absence of these two natures. In other word, it is said that it
undoubtedly the greatest presentation to the new neither attracts nor repulses. By combining all, the whole
generation. Apart from this, the concept of Chemical Science universe forms.
in particular, plays a vital role in the case of invention and
In connection to these, Indian philosophy understands the
application. In ancient days, Indians were more familiar with
whole universe is the cause of three different qualities
the Chemical excellence of cast iron production. India was
(Guṇa) such as Satva, Rajas and Tamas. By getting
the leader of Chemical and Pharmaceutical industries
transformation within these qualities (Guṇa) the universe
including Dying, Lemming, Soap making, Glass and Ceramics,
takes its shape. To correlate the philosophical thoughts with
Cement and Metallurgy. Here in this research paper, an
present modern science an eminent Scholar Kapila
attempt has made to highlight the Chemical Science and its
(Vaidikākalina Rasāyana Vijnāna - Dr.Vishnu Dutta Sarma)
operation in the Vedic period through the help of textual
explains the significance of these three qualities (Guṇa). The
evidences.
first one Satva is the representative of agreeable (Pritirupa)
Science is well thought out as knowledge for excellence to which attracts others toward its own. The second is Rajas
find out the ultimate truth of a particular object. The quest or stands for disagreeable (Apritirupa) which keeps away from
finding out is not having its limitations. That to why it is others. The last one Tamas stands for dejection (Viṣādarupa)
completely endless. How much deeper we go we will get new which is neither in the state of agreeable (Pritirupa) nor the
approach on the specific object time to time. Therefore it state of disagreeable (Apritirupa). From the above said
may be rightly said that science and human life is the two discussion we may clearly understand how far these two
sides of a coin, where without science, human life is parts (Modern science and Indian thought) stand unique on
impossible and human life without science is meaningless. their own significance. All these three elements (Proton,
From the day of evolution or civilization it has been Electron and Neutron as equal with Rajas, Tamas and Satva)
transferred from generation to generation as a gift to the are the cause of the formation of a substance (Padārtha) in
mankind. respect to their number of particles (Mātrā or Samkhyā) in

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
same way the age of the world or creation (Yuga) forms with Paramātmā and Mana individually possesses eight qualities.
the less or more number of qualities (Guṇa). Apart from this, the qualities are also clearly described such
Rupa, Rasa, Gandha, Sparsa, Samkhyā, Parimāṇa, Pṛthakatva,
In the first part of the 6th century the so called famous Indian
Samyoga, Viyoga, Paratva, Aparatva, Dravatva, Gurutva,
Scientist Ṛṣi Kanāda has given an understanding about Anu
Sneha, Sabda, Buddhi, Sukha, Duḥkha, Ichhā, Dveṣa, Prayatna,
(Molecules) and Paramānu (Atom). He said that the
Dharma, Adharma, Samskāra (Vaiśeṣikadarsana -- 1.1.6)
substance (Padārtha) is the formation of the very small
particles which cannot be made into smaller particles again It is also observed that the Chemical Science and its
and the same may be again named as Atom (Paramānu). application are highly described during the Vedic period by
Therefore it is said that the smallest particles of a substance using for the purpose of the medicine. Knowledge of Svarṇa,
(in gross form or in chemical form) which cannot be made Rajata, Tāmra and Lauha etc. which are the prominent
into smaller particles by which Molecules (Anu) form are components of Medicine to the Vedic Physicians. They were
called Atom (Paramānu). Ṛṣi Kaṇāda says this Atom also named as Kṛṣṇāyasa for Lauha, Lohitāyasa for Tāmra,
(Paramāṇu) is imperishable (Avināsῑ) and it cannot be made Haritāyasa for Svarṇa and Svetāyasa for Rajata. In this
into small pieces. context we may have many references from Yajurveda
(18.13) and Atharvaveda (11.3.7). In Āyurveda it is said -
A nature (Tatva) of the particular substance turns into
another nature is called transmutation (Utparivartana) in नव ाणा विभः सं िममीते दीघायु वाय शतशारदाय ।
scientific term. A study on the Changes (Parivartana) and
analysis (Visleṣaṇa) of the substance because of its origin and हरित ीिण रजते ीिण अयिस ीिण तपसािवि तािन ।। Āyurveda
qualities is called Chemical Science of the particular 5.28
substance. The Change is of two kinds such as 1) Physical Again in Vedic age, scholars were very much familiar to
Change (Bhautika Parivartana) 2) Chemical Change make powder (Bhasma) from the particular metal. In the
(Rāsāyanika Parivartana). In first type of Change i.e. the process of making Bhasma they used to keep red hot metal
Physical Change, the nature of the substance for the time into butter milk, sour, gruel, Seeds of Tila or in cow urine to
being changes and after sometime it turn back to its previous make cooling within.
position. For example, a piece of Iron forms into magnet after
a deep friction (Gharṣaṇa) on the magnet for the time being The Science of Vedic age was so strong where Vedic
but due to physical change it turns into iron after sometime. Scientists have explored the quality of the metal. In
In same manner, water turns into ice at the stage of high Atharvaveda it is said that the metal of gold (Svarṇa) is
cooling (Himānka) after melting the same it turns into water considered as energizer of life, booster of health, extender of
again. force and energy. The mantra is as follows -
In second type of Change i.e. Chemical Change where the आयुषे वा वचसे वौजसे च बलाय च ।
nature of the substance once changes cannot be brought
back to the previous position. This Change is called Chemical यथा ह र यतेजसा िवभासािस जनाँ अनु ।। Āyurveda 19.26.3
Change. For example, Milk turns into curd, and iron turns Apart from the Gold, silver is also played a prominent role
into rust etc. To know and the study of this particular by curing the disease like Leprosy, Hair-fall, Wrinkles,
branches of learning is called Chemical Science. Different Powerlessness in ancient age which is clearly mentioned in
types of substances and their qualities are included in this the text of Rasedra Cintāmaṇi .
study.
The food, drink and clothing of Vedic Scholars also represent
In connection to the Chemical Change, our Ancient scholars their knowledge in the field of Chemistry. Approximately
of Vedic age have proved their skill in several technologies 610 Mantras of ninth Maṇḍala of Ṛgveda says that they were
involving melting, smelting, casting, calcinations, preparing drinks like Soma (Ṛgveda-1.116.7& 10.119.3) by
sublimation, steaming, fixation and fermentation. An the process of fermentation and the same was used in
eminent scholar Kanāda, the profounder of Vaiśeṣikadarśana several religions ceremonies and social gatherings. As it is
has explained Dravya (Substance) as also noticed that –
“पृिथ ेजोवा वाकाशकाल दगा ममनांिस” - इित ािण V.S.D.1.1.5. वा द या मदी या पव व सोम धारय। ।
Here he says Pṛthivi(Earth), Jala(Water), Agni(Fire), इ ाय पातवे सूतः....... दशो रािण।
Vāyu(Air), Ākāśa(Space), Kāla(Time), Dik(Directon),
Jivātmā(Soul),Paramātmā(Supreme Soul) and Mana(Mind) ऋचां व
ै पावमामी शतािनषद् - Ṛgveda - 9
are the substances.
Scholar like Dr. Prasun Kumar Mishra in his opinion says the
To recognize the quality of the individual substance it is said word ‘Alcohol’ is derived from the Sanskrit word Kohala an
by Visvanatha Panchanana Bhattacharya his text Pāribhāṣika alcoholic preparation in the Ayurvedic Medicine. Later on
Padārtha Samgraha as the article ‘al’ (the) of Arabs suffixes to this and finally
become an accepted term.
वायोनवैकादश तेजसो गुणाः जलि ित ाणभूतां चतुदश।
Moreover Indian Chemists have made a tremendous
द ालयोः प षडेव चा बरे महे रे ऽ ौ मनस तथैव च।। contribution to the field of Cosmetics and Scented Perfumes
Bhasāparichheda rightly from the Vedic period onwards. In this context
Śrῑsūkta of Ṛgveda says –
It says that Vāyu possesses nine qualities, Agni possesses
eleven, Jala, Pṛthivi and Jivātmā each posses fourteen, Dik ग ध ारां दुराधषा िन यपु ां करीिषणीम्।
and Kāla each possesses five, Ākāśa possesses six, ई र सवभूतानां तािमहोप वयोि याम्।। - Śrῑsūkta

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) @ www.ijtsrd.com eISSN: 2456-6470
Indian Alchemists have known the properties of Sulphur as रसशाला कु व त सवबाधा िवव जते सव षधीमये देशे र ये
the killer of metals (Copper). It was used in laboratory to kill कू पसमि वते।
the metals and was named as Śulvāri. A prominent text
Rasārṇava says – य य सह ा दि वभागे सुशोभने नानोपकरणोपेतां ाकारे ण
सुशोिभताम्।।
लोहानां मारणं व ये समािहतमनः ण
ृ ।ु
Rasaratna Samucaya
नाि त त लोहमात गो य ग धक के शरी।। Rasārṇava 7.138-142
“A laboratory is to be established in such a place which
There were two prominent functions of Sulphur as abounds in medical plants and well (water) and free from all
mentioned in Rasārṇava. First one is Lohavedhaḥ i.e. to interferences and disturbances. The building should be well
transform base metals into noble metals and the second one protected with high boundary walls and again it should be
is Dehavedhaḥ or Kāyākalpa i.e. to maintain in a fresh and furnished with different kinds of equipments and kept in the
healthy state just like a youth. right direction.
Further the Calamine (Rasakaḥ) (one of the zinc ores) gets Again the same text also gives a clear picture of apparatus
converted into gold when roasted with copper (Śulva) three which are used in a Laboratory. It says there are 32 units of
times. Really it was highly miracle to understand how it was apparatus technically known as Yantra, used for Chemical
happening. On this particular concept the present science is and pharmaceutical investigations. Further a detailed
completely silent because such invention was made in India. qualification for a staff who is working in the Laboratory also
Nāgārjuna, an eminent Buddhist scholar, who has expertised described in Rasaratna Samucaya.
in this field to make gold from Calamine (Rasakaḥ) through
his Chemical experiments. It is written in his text of Conclusion:
Ratnākara as – From the above said it may conclude that the Concept of
Chemical Science was highly exposed during the Vedic
कम िच ं रसको रसेन, मेण कृ वा बुधरे ण रि तः करोित शु वं period. In the light of Medicine as well as Metallurgy
ि पुटेन का नम् Chemical Science took stand to highlight its application and
use. No doubt the contribution of our Vedic Sages who have
Ratnākara – 3
made effort to understand and explore the concept of
Through the archaeological excavation at Mohenjodaro and Chemical Science was highly remarkable. If a deep vigil could
Harrappa, it is clearly understood that the people of Indus have put to enhance the knowledge of present on the
Valley Civilization (2500-1800 BC) were expertised in foundation of past definitely we may construct an excellent
preparation of Pottery, Glass and Enamels and extracted bridge between the past and present on the issue of
metals from natural ores for making utensils, instruments Chemical Science which will take India one step ahead
and weapons. The above said materials were also used by
References
Vedic Scientists prior to Indus Civilization. The reference of
[1] Vedic Science and Technology by Dr. Sadasiva Biswal
Kṛṣṇayajurveda is highly noted here to understand. The
& Dr. Bidyut lata Ray
Mantra goes –
[2] Indian contribution to the world of Chemistry by
अ मा च मे, मृि का च मे, िगरय मे, पवता मे, िसकता मे, Dr.Prasun Kumar Mitra
वन पतय मे, िहर य मेऽय मे सीसं च मे, पु मे, यामं च मे,
लोहं च मे....... [3] Vaiśeṣikadarśana of Kanada
[4] Pāribhāṣika Padārtha Samgraha by Visvanatha
Kṛṣṇayajurveda 4-7-5
Panchanana Bhattacharya
It says “I want stone, clay, hills, mountains, sands, trees, gold,
[5] Rasārṇava
silver, copper, lead, tin and iron.
[6] Śrῑsūkta of Ṛgveda
The use of the Laboratory (Rasasālā) was also familiar to the
Indian scholars for experiments, readings and reactions. To [7] Ratnākara of Nāgarjuna
give a brief description to a Laboratory (Rasasālā) Rasaratna
Samucaya explains as – [8] Kṛṣṇayajurveda
[9] Rasaratna Samucaya
[10] Vaidikākalina Rasāyana Vijnāna by Dr.Vishnu Dutta
Sarma

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