A History of Hindu Chemistry from the Earliest Times to the Middle of the Sixteenth Century A.D. v2.c34.295

v2.c34.295

The atomic theory of the Buddhists :—The Vaibháshikas and the Sautrántikas hold that the Váyu-atoms are touch-sensibles, having impact or pressure for their characteristic property, and by aggregation form the element Váyu; the Tejas-atoms are colour-and-touch-sensibles, having heat for their characteristic, and aggregation form the Tejas Bhúta ; the Ap-atoms are taste-colour-and touch-sensibles with a characteristic viscosity, and form the Ap-element by aggregation ; and finally the Earth-atoms are smell-taste-colour-and-touch-sensibles possessing a characteristic dryness or roughness (खरत्व), and by their aggregation form the Earth-element. The Bhútas thus originated combine to form aggregates, which are classed as inorganic substances, organisms and organs. (कामेऽष्टद्रव्यकोऽणु :- Udyotakara's extract from the Buddhist Sútras, Nyáya-Vártika, Chap. I, Áhnika 1, Sútra 14. cf. Váchaspati's fuller extract :- कामे अष्टद्रव्यकोऽणु रशब्दः रूपधातुरूपधातुः कामधातुः :- also the Buddhist commentary :- कामे कामधातौ अष्टद्रव्यकः अणुः । रूपरसगन्धस्पर्शा इति चत्वारि द्रव्याणि पृथिव्यप्तेजोवायुः इति चत्वारि—Váchaspati, Tátparyyatíká, loc.cit.—also खरस्नेहोष्णरणस्वभावानि भूतानि—vide Udyotakara, Chap. III, Áhnika 2, Sútra 12,—Vide also S'rínivása's Vedánta-kaustubha, Chap, II, Pada 2, Sútra 18).