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Properties of Matter
In addition to the four general characteristics of Matter (Pudgala) certain common properties are associated with all the three states of it, viz. solid, liquid and gasesous. Matter possesses the property of cohesion and adhesion (snehakayatva or saṁghataguna),1 impenetrability, 2 extension, divisibility (bhedatva or pradeśatva), porosity and compressibility5 (or condensation and taking up subtle form) and density and elasticity, etc.7
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Cohesion is the force of attraction between molecules (or aggregates) of the same type and adhesion is the force of attraction that exists between molecules of different nature. Cohesive force holds molecules together in a material substance and adhesion is the cause of sticking together of the two material substances (pudgaladravyas), e. g. gluing of wood to wood. The combination of ultimate atoms takes place owing to the presence of the property of oily body or sticky substance (sinehakae), i. e. cohesiveness and adhesiveness inherent in them. Thus two ultimate atoms may combine together into a skandha (molecule) because of their property of cohesiveness and adhesiveness.
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I. Sinehakae poggale, BhS., 1. 10. 80; Gahaṇagunalakhane, Ibid., 2. 10. 118.
2. Abhejja, Ibid., 20. 5. 670.
3. Poggalatthikae, Ibid., 2. 10. 118;
AjIvakāyā dharmādharmākāśapudgalāḥ, TS., ch. V. 1.
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4. BhS., 16. 6. 582; Ekapradeśādiṣu bhajyaḥ pudgalānām, TS., V. 14; Bhedat, TS., V. 27.
5. BhS., 6. 7. 247; 1. 6. 54.
6. Pannavaṇā, Alpatvabahutva.
7, Donham paramaņupoggala egayo sahanamti donham paramāņu poggalāṇaṁ atthi sinehakae, BhS., 1. 10. 80.
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