History and Doctrines of the Ajivikas: A Vanished Indian Religion c24.s1.21

c24.s1.21

The combination of atoms occurs in fixed ratios of "one, three-quarters, half, and one-quarter—according to their combinations in this ratio so do they receive their names".⁴ This passage may be elucidated by a comparison with a similar passage in Civañāṉa-cittiyār. This text states that the atoms will only combine in fixed proportions, into a sort of molecule, that of earth containing four atoms of earth, three of water, two of fire, and one of air.⁵ These proportions, 4 : 3 : 2 : 1, are the same as those of Maṇimēkalai, 1 : ¾ : ½ : ¼, and it seems probable that both refer to the same doctrine. Buddhist atomic theory allows no molecule of one element only, but teaches that all gross matter is to some extent adulterated by the presence of atoms of other elements.⁶ We may believe that the Ājīvikas held similar views. The molecule of earth was constituted in the above proportions, and no doubt the molecules of the other elements were similarly constituted, but with the relative preponderance appropriately changed. To this doctrine of molecular combination Maṇimēkalai adds that the atoms cannot be seen in their pure state, but only when they form aggregates as bhūtas or objects.⁷