A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c34.203

v2.c34.203

The Mahá-Bhútas—mechanical mixtures:—Susruta notes that each of the gross Bhútas (Mahá-bhútas) is found mixed up with the other Bhútas;—*e. g.*, the Mahábhúta Ákása is the receptacle (or vehicle) of air, heat-and-light, and water vapour; the Mahábhúta Váyu, of water-vapour, light-and heat, and even fine particles of Earth held in suspension; the Mahábhúta Tejas, of earth-particles in the shape of smoke, and also water-vapour. (अन्योन्यानुप्रविष्टानि सर्व्वानेतानि निर्दिशेत्—Susruta S'árírasthána Chap. I.) अन्ये पुनः अन्यथा व्याचक्षते। आकाशे पवन-दहन-तोयानि। वायौ तेजोऽम्बुनी। भूरपि अणुताविशेषेण। भूमिरपि धूमादिरूपेण तेजसि। तेजोद्रव्ये पानीयमपि।—Dalvana on Susruta, loc. cit.)