Minerals and Metals in Ancient India v2.c44.6

v2.c44.6

*Vaiśeṣika Sūtra* (4.1.1-2) states that *sat akāraṇavat nityam tasya kāryalingam* atoms are eternal, uncaused, non-destructive and are inferred from their effects. Kaṇāda’s conception of atoms bears resemblance to that of the Greek philosopher Democritus (c. 470-360 BC). H.T. Colebrooke and H.H. Wilson concluded that the resemblance is explained in terms of Greeks being the borrowers. According to the Greek tradition, Thales, Empedocles, Democritus, etc. undertook journey to the oriental countries in order to study philosophy.