The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c4.s1.53

c4.s1.53

*The Evolution of Matter* (**तान्मात्रिक सृष्टि**). — The ultimate constitution of Matter is a question of the profoundest interest in the Sáṅkhya-Pátañjala system. Three stages clearly stand out in the genesis of Matter :—(1) the original infinitesimal units of Mass or inertia, absolutely homogeneous and ubiquitous, on which Energy does work, when the original equilibrium comes to an end (**भूतादि—तामसाहङ्कार**); (2) the infra-atomic unit-potentials, charged with different kinds of Energy, which result from the action of Energy on the original units of Mass (**तन्मात्र**); and (3) the five different classes of atoms, the minutest divisions of which gross matter is capable, but which are themselves complex Tanmátric systems (**स्थूलभूतपरमाणु**).