Nandanvana

SR No.: 006597
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 592
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

Page 163

Early Concepts of Chemistry in Jaina Canons : (143)
(f) Those atoms do combine which have similar or dissimilar charges differing by two or more than two units. Though canons do not give examples for this rule, but formation of Hydrogen peroxide and Sulfuric acid prove this rule (Co-ordinate valency).
(g) During bonding, atoms do not change but they merely associate with other atoms to have modified forms. The nature of newly formed combination may be either similar or neutral to the combining atoms having higher electrical qualities.
It is observed that the explanation of the rules of bonding in Satkhaṇḍāgama version and Svetambara canons are more liberal and realistic. It could easily be seen that there is remarkable qualitative and even quantitative similarity of these rules with the current threefold valency concept.
There are four methods through which bonding is affected: (i) direct combination (sanghāta) (ii) dissociation (bheda) and (iii-iv) displacement (mixed process involving single or double displacement). The factors leading to bonding may be natural or exerted. Intimate contact, non-elastic collision, high velocity, catalysts, solar rays or heat or micro-organisms etc. are important factors of total combination. Currently many new factors have been added to this list.
There are two types of bonds: (i) physical and (ii) psychical or modal. The physical bond may be natural or exerted, finite or infinite, loose or tight. The psychical bond may be due to primary or secondary karmic species. It is due to physical, vocal or mental activities of the living. Its study is subject to other disciplines. However, if worldly living supposed to be material, it may involve physical bond, which could be made subject of studies by the chemists. However, current bond types do not involve living-nonliving bonds.
A large variety of aggregates is found in Jaina canons and postcanonical works (i) involving physical bonds (clouds, rains, rainbows, lightening, solar or lunar aura, precipitation, solution, tempering etc.), (ii) chemical bonds (alcohols by fermentation, making of earthen pots by baking, burning of lamps, souring foods and washings, water purification, metallic extraction etc.) and (iii) undefined bonds (living