[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Studies](https://indike.org/pramana/ins) › [Science, technology and education](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science) › [A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D.](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902) › v2.c34.286 # A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c34.286 A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c34.286 - **Language:** English ### [v2.c34.286](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34.286) The Súkshma-bhútas are forms of homogeneous and continuous matter, without any atomicity of structure ; the Mahábhútas are composite; but even these are regarded as continuous, and without any atomic structure. The Vedánta speaks of Anu (Paramánu) not as an ultimate indivisible discrete constituent of matter, but as the smallest conceivable quantum or measure of matter. In the Sánkhya doctrine, the atomic structure is ordinarily accepted. The Gunas are supposed to be परिच्छिन्न and अणु bounded and indefinitely small in size ( except the Gunas giving rise to Akása and Manas which are unlimited अपरिच्छिन्न) ; and hence the Tanmátras and Paramánus must be conceived to have a discrete structure. - [Previous: v2.c34.285](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34.285) - [Next: v2.c34.287](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34.287) - [Up: v2.c34](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34.286](https://indike.org/pramana/ins.science.ray-1902.v2.c34.286) · Pramāṇa