statements at one place state that the Physicians should not betray the patients and should be always of pleasant speech. In this context, he pleads that every day
they must pray on rising and going to bed, since the work of the welfare of the all beings specially cows.
Regarding physics, it was closely linked with religion and theology and it even differed from sect to sect. Almost all religions believed that the universe consisted of
elements like earth, air, water, and akasa (ether). Most schools maintained that there were as many types of atoms as there were elements. Some Buddhists
conceived atom as the minutes object capable of occupying space but also as occupying the minutest possible duration of time coming into being and vanishing
almost in an instant only to be succeeded by another atom caused by the first. This somewhat resembles the quantum theory of Planck. The Vaisesika School
believed a single atom to be a point in space completely without magnitude. Further, most of the schools believed that atoms constitute molecules. However, the
Indian atomic theories were not based on experiment but intuitive logic. The great theologian Sankara strongly argued against their existence. Beyond this
knowledge of atoms, physics in India did not develop much. However, in the science of acoustics, India made real discovers. Based on experience for this correct
recitation on Vedas, the human era was highly trained for the phonetic study - distinguished musical tones far closer than those of other ancient musical systems
much earlier than other civilization.
Regarding chemistry and metallurgy too, some progress was made in ancient times. The Harappans developed metallurgy of copper and bronze about 2500 B.C.
The Vedic Aryans tanned leather, fermented grains and fruits, and dyed scale production of copper, iron and steel, brass, silver and gold and their alloys. Indian
steel was highly esteemed in the ancient world and it was exported in large quantities. Tin and mercury were imported and worked. And from the seventh century,
alchemy was referred to in literature. The medical chemistry of ancient India did succeed in producing many important alkalis, acids and metallic salts. It is claimed
by Bashama that ancient Indians ever discovered a form of gun powder. The coming of middle ages, Indian chemists, like their counterparts in the rest of the
world, became increasingly interested in a specific remedy for all diseases, the source of perpetual youth, and even the surest means to salvation. Although they
could not make precious metals, they could understand the chemistry of metallic salts. The heights attained by Indians in metallurgy and engineering are borne out
by the almost pure copper stature of Buddha found at Sultanganj and the famous iron Pillar at Mehrauli (Delhi which has been able to withstand rain and weather
for centuries without rusting).