Indian Alchemy of Rasayana - In the Light of Asceticism and Geriatrics

Indian Alchemy of Rasayana - In the Light of Asceticism and Geriatrics

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Author: S Mahdihassan
Publisher: Motilal Banarsidass
Year: 2002
Language: English
Pages: 147
ISBN/UPC (if available): 812080788x/18814

Description

This book attempts to elucidate the point that Alchemy is a science through which the higher states of being reveal themselves with the matrix of spatio-temporal world.

It is a science that is directly related to temporal levels of the universal hierarchy which is totally beyond the reach of any of the profane methods employed during the past century.

It is this perspective which Dr. Mahdihassan applied to his study of Rasayana, which he sees essentially as geriatrics and closely bound to the life of ascetics in the wilderness and elderly people left by themselves in remote places. It brings a great deal of learning providing material that is fresh and is available for the first time.

Contents

I. FOREWORD BY H.E.PROF. S. H. NASR CHANCELLOR:
ARYAMEHR UNIVERSITY, TEHRAN

II INTRODUCTION

PARAGRAPHS

1.Differential Approach of a Scientist and a Historian
2.The Agencies on which Alchemy Depended
3.Other lacunae in the Accounts of Alchemy
4.Cardinal Points of Knowledge
5.The Positive Criterion of Alchemy as a Whole
6.Times that Made Alchemy
7.Social Life Created Asceticism and This in Turn an Urge for Rejuvenation
8.Birth of Herbalism
9.The First Need of the Ascetic for an Energizer
10.Comparative Pharmacology of Energizers
11.Soma as fresh Plant Juice and its herb
12.The Position of Rasayana in Indian Medicine
13.Prehistoric Cosmogony Supporting the Idea of rejuvenation
14.Chapaka and his two Categories of Medicine
15.Herbal Rasayanas
16.Metallic Preparations as Rasayana
17.Charaka Extolling Iron and a Reducing Agent
18.Charaka’s incidental Mention of a Gold Preparation
19.Silajit or Mineral Pitch Vitalizer
20.Calcined Metals as Phlogiston
21.Calcined Metals as Alchemical Preparations
22.The Legend of Phoenix as Implying Resurrection
23.Growth Versus Reproduction
24.Growth Intrinsic to Matter
25.Animism Versus Dualism
26.The Two Sub-Souls
27.Pulverization of Calcined Metals
28.Calcined Gold as the Ideal Herbometallic Preparation
29.Other Systems of Gaining Longevity
30.The Beginning of Alchemy
31.Herbalism in China as Progenitor of Alchemy
32.Kashmir as Connecting India with china
33.Indian Alchemy Probably Begins about 500 A.D.
34.Alchemy in India about 100 A.D.
35.Momiyai a Panacea of Later origin in India
36.Drug-Induced Sublimation of the Materail Body
37.Legends of Gold with the Power of growth
38.Etymology of Rasayana
39.Rasayana as Elixir
40.Kimiya-Elixir
41.Drugs of Rejuvenation, Chinese and Indian, as Reaching Alexandria
42.Rasayana as a proper Name
43.Rasayana as Shiva, The Resurrector, in the Hindu Trinity
44.Mercurials as Drugs of Choice in Acquiring Rejuvenation
45.Makaradhwaja or Cupid’s Hallmark
46.Mercury as related to Shiva in Indian Mythology
47.Persistence of Herbalism in Mercurial Alchemy
48.Shiva as Hermaphrodite and Creator
49.Shiva as Related to Brahma and Vishnu
50.Drugs of Longevity Versus of Immortality
51.The Nature of Active Principle in Drugs of Immortality
52.Sublimating Sub-Souls as Prelude to Union of Opposites
53.The One origin of Creative Power
54.Legends Implying alchemy as Initiating Creation
55.Dualism Versus Pantheism and Alchemy
56.Positive Conception of Sub-souls
57.Symbolism Revealing Alchemy as Imitating Creation
58.Concordance Between Indian Medicine and Indian Philosophy]
59.Union of Opposites as a Practical Doctrine
60.Jabir’s Magic Square and the Importance of its Four Numbers

Summary

Bibliography

Explanation of Figures

Figures

Notes