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Early Concepts of Chemistry in Jaina Canons :
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3. Modifiability
Modifiable by natural, external or mixed
causes 4. Eye-perceptibility 6 Gross-gross (solid), Gross (liquid), Gross
fine (energies), Fine-gross (gases), Fine (Karmic aggregates), Fine-fine (Karmons,
Real atoms, diatomics etc.) 5. Variforms
5 bodies, respiration, sound, mind, karmas, fine and gross individual and common
embodied beings, sky, earth etc. Permutation
530 With respect to 8 touches, 5 tastes, 5 combinational
colors, 2 smells, 5 shapes; the number 530
could be calculated. Intellectual-Infinite- 1886 As in Bhagavati-sūtra Atomic
Bhagavati and Tattvārtha mention a large variety of manifestations of aggregates involving six embodiments, five bodies, speech, mind, respirations, heat, light, sound, grossness, fineness, shape etc. In all, there are 14-16 manifestations mentioned with some variations in literature. Descriptive Aspects of Chemistry: Specific Aggregates
The infinite variety of aggregates can be seen to exist in four forms: earth, water, air, and fire. They are termed differently in different Indian systems (Bhūtas, Mahābhūtas, elements). Dixit has suggested that these forms do not involve karmic aggregates; hence karma theory must be later than this classification.
The four aggregate forms seem to represent various states of mattergy rather than specific aggregates. Thus, we may have: (i) Earth: Solid class (ii) Water: Liquid class (iii) Fire: Energy class (iv) Air: Gaseous state. The canons enumerate the earth class between 2048 varieties involving metals, non-metals (elements), ores, gems, alloys, compounds and mixtures - all found in nature. One finds newer additions at different canonical periods. Mercury of Prajñāpanā period is an exceptional case in this category. This canon is best for these classifications.
Similarly, 5-17 types of different waters as liquids have been enumerated. They include natural waters, spring waters, milk, alcohol, butter, cane juice and medicinal water etc. They are the naturally occurring or obtained by fermentation. It seems surprising that oils
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