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200 : Scientific Contents in Prākṣta Canons
in the aphorism. There must be some specific object in this composition which the commentators have not elaborated. However, it is quite common to have visible aggregates or molecules by combination of atoms or fine aggregates. Shastri seems to be right to seek how the division as a single process can yield gross aggregates ? There are, however, a number of examples today to prove this. Sulphur dioxide or Carbon dioxide are canonically invisible gases and they, on thermal or electrical decomposition, give solid Sulphur or Carbon skandhas. Jain37 has exemplified these processes by formation of Hydrochloric acid and ionisation of air representing combination and division respectively. Hence visible aggregates are formed both ways and the corresponding aphorism could mean two individual processes also. Nevertheless, examples of molecular formation by combination of the two processes are also available. Thus, the concerned aphorism seems to be superfluous in view of the aphorism 'Bheda-sanghātebhyah Utpadyante'. This point requires closer examination in view of recent knowledge. Conditions for Formation of Aggregates or Molecules
Normally, various types of motions in the moleculeforming atoms are elastic in nature. They are not only irregular but they are non-bonding also. This poses a problem how the bonding takes place and aggregates are formed. Bhagavati mentions two types of bonds – loose and tight which may be equated to physical and chemical bonds38. One does not have a clearcut idea whether soul-kārmic matter bond is physical or chemical. Still it is a bond which could be broken only after austere purification processes of many births. It is said to the psychic or volitional bond in contrast to matter bond. Recently the embodied living-karma bond has been pointed out to be approximating the nature of physico-chemical or electrochemical bond of current science.39
The canons assume that the bonding takes place due to partial or total contact between active and colliding atoms
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