Jain Journal 1969 01

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 46

140
JAIN JOURNAL
that bind together atoms of the same bhūta and the chemical affinity of one bhūta to another. The Jainas hold that the different classes of elementary substances (bhūtas) are all evolved from the same primordial atoms. The intra-atomic forces which lead to the formation of chemical compounds do not therefore differ in kind from those that explain the original linking of atoms to form molecules.
Mere juxtaposition (samyoga) is insufficient ; linking of atoms or molecules must follow before a compound can be produced. The linking takes place under different conditions. Ordinarily speaking, one particle of matter (pudgala) must be negative, and the other positive (vişamagunayukta) ; the two particles must have two peculiar opposite qualities, roughness and smoothness, rukşatva and snigdhatva (or dryness and viscosity ?), to make the linking possible. But the linking takes place where the qualities, though opposed, are very defective or feeble (jaghanyaguna). We have seen that, ordinarily speaking two homogeneous particles, i.e., both positive, or both negative do not unite. This is the case where the opposed qualities are equal in intensity. But if the strength or intensity of one is twice as great as that of th or exceeds that portion then even similar particles may be attracted towards each other. In every case change of state in both the particles is supposed to be the result of this linking, and the physical characters of the aggregate depend on the nature of this linking. When particles of equal intensity (negative and positive) modify each other, there is mutual action ; in cases of unequal intensity, the higher intensity transforms the lower, it being apparently thought that an influence proceeds from the higher to the lower. All changes in the qualities of atoms depend on this linking. A crude anticipation—this, of the ionic theory of chemical combinations, very crude but immensely suggestive, and possibly based on the observed electrification of smooth and rough surfaces as the result of rubbing. The interpretation of ruksa and snigdha as dry and viscous (or as vitreous and resinous ?) must be rejected in this connection as untenable. The Tattvārthādhigama of Umasvati which expounds the theory, most probably date back to the first half of the first century A.D. (c.f. Umasvati, Tattvārthadhigama, Chap. V.)
-P. C. RAY, History of Hindu Chemistry, Vol. II, Pages 178-183.