CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I

ON THE AGE OF NA'GA'RJUNA AND BUDDHIST ALCHEMICAL TANTRAS

Rise, development, and propagation of Mahayanism—Nagarjuna: a leading representative of Mahayanism—Nagarjuna as an adept in magic and alchemy—Nagarjuna as a contemporary and friend of King Satvahana—Nagarjuna as a comprehensive name for the activity of Mahayanism—Asamga—Gradual and imperceptible fusion of Mahayanism with Shaivism—Dharanis Incantations or protective spells. as the precursors of the Tantras—Vaipulya Sutras—Buddhistic Tantras—Tantras imported into Tibet—Rasaratnakara—Its historical importance—Also a typical production of the Mahayanist period of intellectual activity—Antiquity of alchemical Tantras—Alchemy an integral part of Mahayanist activity—Spread of alchemy—In Tibet and the Deccan ... i-xlix

CHAPTER II

Further cultivation of alchemy—Buddhist alchemical Tantras absorbed into Hindu Tantras—Rasahridaya—Rasendrachudamani—Rasaprakasasudhakara—Rasakalpa—Rasarajalakshmi ... ... ... l-lx

CHAPTER III

Rasaratnakara by Nityanatha—Rasendrachintamani—Rasasara—Sarngadhara-samgraha—Rasendrasarasamgraha—Rasendrakalpadruma—Dhaturatnamala ... lxi-lxxv