[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [Minerals and Metals in Ancient India](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996) › v2.c44.4 # Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c44.4 Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c44.4 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c44.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c44.4) Kapila the originator of the \*Sāmkhya\* philosophy proposed that \*tanmātras\* or infra-atomic entities, derived from the conscious principle, gave rise to \*aṇus\* or atoms and five kinds of grosser elements or \*bhūtas\* : space or ether (\*ākāśa\*), air (\*vāyu\*), fire (\*tejas\*), water (\*ap\*) and earth (\*kṣiti\*). Patañjali of the second century BC perfected the \*Sāmkhya\* system of philosophy. According to this philosophy, the \*prakṛti\* or nature is an equilibrium of three principles: \*sattva\*, the essence or intelligence stuff, \*rajas\* the energy stuff and \*tamas\*, the inertia or the matter stuff. - [Previous: v2.c44.3](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c44.3) - [Next: v2.c44.5](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c44.5) - [Up: v2.c44](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c44) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c44.4](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.biswas-1996.v2.c44.4) · Pramāṇa