History of Chemistry in Ancient and Medieval India, Incorporating the History of Hindu Chemistry by Acharya Prafulla Chandra Ray c39.s5.5

c39.s5.5

Now the question is—in these mixed substances does the fusion take place by *paramanus*, or by larger masses or lumps? Now a *paramanu* is defined to be the smallest portion of any substance. which exhibits the characteristic qualities of that substance,—in other words, it stands for the smallest homogeneous portion of any substance. It is not without parts and, therefore, not indivisible. It is subject to disintegration In a *bhuta* or its isomeric modification, the *paramanu*, the smallest homogeneous component particle, is unmixed, and, therefore, corresponds to the atom of modern chemistry. In a mixed substance, whether it is an isomeric or a polymeric compound, the qualities are due to the mixture, and, therefore, its *paramanu*, the smallest homogeneous particle possessing its characteristic qualities, must result from the mixture of the *paramanus* (in smaller or larger numbers as the case may be) of the component substances. The *paramanu* of a mixed substance, therefore, corresponds to what we now call molecule That the *paramanus* form molecules in forming substances, is acknowledged by the Samkhyas, as will appear from Gaudapada Even the Vaiseshikas, with their prejudice against 'polymeric' or 'heterogenic' combination, acknowledge that in 'polymeric' compounds, the different *bhuta* substances unite by their *paramanus* (or atoms), though they rigidly insist that in such cases only one atom should be regarded as the 'radicle' and the others as co-efficient causes