The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus c4.s2.19

c4.s2.19

Susruta ignores Charaka's distinction between Mahábhúta and subtile Bhúta, and views every substance as in reality penta-Bhautic, and it is only the relative predominance of a particular Bhúta or Bhútas in any substance that determines its class. (पृथिव्यप्तेजोवाय्वाकाशानां समुदायात् द्रव्याभिनिवृत्तिः। उत्कर्षस्तु अभिव्यञ्जको भवति इदं पार्थिवं इदं व्याप्यं इदं तैजसं इदं वायव्यं इदं आकाशीयमिति।—Susruta, Sútrasthána, Chap. XLI.)