History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c14.s1.29

c14.s1.29

According to the Jainas mere juxtaposition of atoms or molecules is not sufficient to bring about chemical combination. An interlinking between atoms or molecules must precede all compound formation. Matter (*bhūta*) in the Jaina philosophy is called *pudgala*, which exists in two forms: *anu* (atom) and *skandha* (aggregate). Linking is possible only between two particles of matter of opposite character. One must be positive and the other negative. Such opposing qualities are illustrated, for instance, by roughness and smoothness, dryness and viscosity, etc. Two homogeneous particles, both positive or both negative, cannot unite if these qualities be of equal magnitude. But attraction between two such similar particles may occur leading to a combination or linking between them if the magnitude or strength of the quality characterising the one is twice or greater than twice as that of the other. All changes in the qualities of the atom and the physical properties of the aggregate depend on this linking. The Jaina view thus seems to bear a family resemblance to the *dualistic hypothesis* of chemical combination propounded by the great Swedish chemist Berzelius nearly after 1800 years.