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→Origin and Properties of Matter
== Origin and Properties of Matter ==
== Origin and Properties of Matter ==
Chemistry involves the study of fundamental properties of matter and atoms, and their inter-relationships. The Ayurvedic period constitutes the most flourishing and fruitful age of ancient India relating to the accumulation and development of chemical sciences which at that time was closely associated with medicine. The physical and chemical theories were intricately associated with the [[Srshti Siddhanta (सृष्टिसिद्धान्तः)|srshti siddhantas]] propounded in the vedic, upanishadic and darshana shastras. Ayurveda was founded on the theories of cosmic evolution in [[Ayurveda and Darshanas (आयुर्वेदः दर्शनानि च)|Darshanas]] most importantly of Samkhya and Vaiseshika.<ref name=":1" />
Chemistry involves the study of fundamental properties of matter and atoms, and their inter-relationships. The Ayurvedic period constitutes the most flourishing and fruitful age of ancient India relating to the accumulation and development of chemical sciences which at that time was closely associated with medicine. The physical and chemical theories were intricately associated with the [[Srshti Siddhanta (सृष्टिसिद्धान्तः)|srshti siddhantas]] propounded in the vedic, upanishadic and darshana shastras. Ayurveda was founded on the theories of cosmic evolution in [[Ayurveda and Darshanas (आयुर्वेदः दर्शनानि च)|Darshanas]] most importantly of Samkhya and Vaiseshika.<ref name=":1" />
=== Cosmogenesis ===
Chemistry dealt primarily with the composition and changes of matter and the underlying principles were deduced in a systematic and logical way purely based on thoughts with little or no experimental proofs. Yet many such theories, the products of intellectual perfection and sublime intuition, stand in good comparison with some of the most recent and advanced scientific ideas of the present time. Here we come across a few ancient concepts with particular reference to srshti (theories of cosmogenesis) and origin of jagat (universe) with respect to matter and particles and their connection with chemistry.
Chemistry dealt primarily with the composition and changes of matter and the underlying principles were deduced in a systematic and logical way purely based on thoughts with little or no experimental proofs. Yet many such theories, the products of intellectual perfection and sublime intuition, stand in good comparison with some of the most recent and advanced scientific ideas of the present time. Here we come across a few ancient concepts with particular reference to srshti (theories of cosmogenesis) and origin of jagat (universe) with respect to matter and particles and their connection with chemistry.
* Rig veda (10.121.1) mentions Hiranyagarbha reflecting the concept of cosmic egg and origin of universe from an egg.
* Rig veda (10.121.1) mentions Hiranyagarbha reflecting the concept of cosmic egg and origin of universe from an egg.
* Samkhya siddhanta (supported by Yoga sutras of Patanjali) describes the principles of conservation, transformation and dissipation of energy. Additionally the conception of space (desha) and time (Kala) are also discussed.
* Samkhya siddhanta (supported by Yoga sutras of Patanjali) describes the principles of conservation, transformation and dissipation of energy. Additionally the conception of space (desha) and time (Kala) are also discussed.
* Vaiseshika siddhanta propounded the particulate theory of matter ([[Padarthas (पदार्थाः)|Padarthas)]] to describe the nature of different substances that make up this jagat.
* Vaiseshika siddhanta propounded the particulate theory of matter ([[Padarthas (पदार्थाः)|Padarthas)]] to describe the nature of different substances that make up this jagat.
* Prasastapada had proposed in his Padarthadharma-sarhgraha that atoms (anu) form - through dyads (dvyanuka) and triads, (tryanuka), gross bodies (`molecules' in modern terminology) and 'this gives rise to different qualities in a substance'.<ref name=":2">''[http://eprints.nmlindia.org/5802/1/1-24.PDF Minerals and Their Exploitation in Ancient and Pre-modern India]'' by Prof. A. K. Biswas</ref>
* Prasastapada had proposed in his Padartha-dharma-sarhgraha that atoms (anu) form - through dyads (dvyanuka) and triads, (tryanuka), gross bodies (`molecules' in modern terminology) and 'this gives rise to different qualities in a substance'.<ref name=":2">''[http://eprints.nmlindia.org/5802/1/1-24.PDF Minerals and Their Exploitation in Ancient and Pre-modern India]'' by Prof. A. K. Biswas</ref>
Thus broadly the origin and composition of matter had the foundations in our ancient texts.
Thus broadly the origin and composition of matter had the foundations in our ancient texts.
==== Samkhya-Patanjala Yoga View of Cosmic Evolution ====
According to Samkhya-Yoga schools of thought, cosmogony is based on the principles of conservation, transformation and dissipation of energy and the conception of space (desha) and time (kala). Universe, according to Samkhya, evolved out of an unmanifested cosmic nature termed Prakriti or Avyakta, the ultimate ground. It is believed to be made of infinitesimal reals or gunas, representing substantive entities. They are classified under three heads
- sattva - the essence or intelligence
- rajas - the energy or action
- tamas - the inertia or material
These three gunas exist together in equilibrium or uniform diffusion in the infinite continuum, Prakriti.
== Chemistry in Ancient India ==
== Chemistry in Ancient India ==