Hindu Achievements in Exact Science: A Study in the History of Scientific Development c15.8

c15.8

(2) Jaina system: The atoms are not only infinitesimal, but also eternal and ultimate. Atomic linking, or the mutual attraction (or repulsion) of atoms in the formation of molecules was analyzed by Umasvati (A.D. 50) with a most remarkable effect. The Jainas hold that the different classes of elementary substances are all evolved from the same primordial atoms. "The intra-atomic forces which lead to the formation of chemical compounds do not therefore differ in kind from those that explain the original linking of atoms to form molecules."⁵⁹