Verse 5.33 - Combination of atoms (aṇu)

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Tattvartha sūtra 5.33:

स्निग्धरूक्षत्वाद्वन्धः ॥ ५.३३ ॥

snigdharūkṣatvādvandhaḥ || 5.33 ||

Combination of atoms takes place by virtue of their greasiness (snigdhatva) and roughness (rūkṣatva). (33)

Hindi Anvayarth:

अन्वयार्थ: [स्निग्धरूक्षत्वात्] चिकने और रूखे के कारण [बन्धः] दो, तीन इत्यादि परमाणुओं का बन्ध होता है।

Anvayartha: [snigdharukshatvat] cikane aura rukhe ke karana [bandhah] do, tina ityadi paramanuom ka bandha hota hai |

Explanation in English from Ācārya Pūjyapāda’s Sarvārthasiddhi:

A question is raised. That which exists is governed by the doctrine of manifold points of view (relative pluralism). Therefore, it is proper that molecules (skandha) are formed by division (bheda), union (saṅghāta) and division-cum-union (bheda-saṅghāta). But there is this doubt. Are molecules (skandha) of two atoms (aṇu), and so on, formed by mere union, or is there any peculiarity? The reply is this. When there is union of atoms, these are transformed by combination into one object which is a molecule. Again, a question is raised: if it is so, why is it that certain atoms combine and certain others do not, though all of these are of the nature of the matter (pudgala)? The answer is that though the atoms are not different as far as their nature as the matter (pudgala) is concerned, their infinite (ananta) modes (paryāya) exhibit unique transformations. These transformations establish combinations in the following manner:

[read sūtra 33 above]

The matter (pudgala) is called ‘snigdha’ when, owing to the internal and external causes, the mode (paryāya) that is ‘greasy’ is manifested. Similarly, the matter (pudgala) that has the mode (paryāya) which is rough is called ‘rūkṣa’. The matter (pudgala) that is smooth has greasiness (snigdhatva) as its attribute (dharma). The matter (pudgala) that is rough has roughness (rūkṣatva) as its attribute (dharma). Greasiness and roughness are the attributes or qualities. Greasiness (snigdhatva) and roughness (rūkṣatva) are the causes of combination of two atoms, etc., of the matter (pudgala). When there is combination–intermingling–between two atoms (aṇu) of greasy and rough attributes, a molecule (skandha) of two atoms is produced. In the same manner, the molecules of numerable (saṃkhyāta), innumerable (asaṃkhyāta) and infinite (ananta) space-points (pradeśa) are produced. The attribute of greasiness (snigdhatva) is of one, two, three, four, numerable, innumerable and infinite divisions. The attribute of roughness (rūkṣatva) also is of the same proportions. There are atoms (aṇu) possessing these two properties. Greasiness (snigdhatva) is present in increasing degrees in water, goat’s milk, cow’s milk, buffalo’s milk, camel’s milk, ghee, etc. Roughness is present in increasing degrees in dust, ash, sand, etc. In the same way, the atoms (aṇu) have these attributes of greasiness (snigdhatva) and roughness (rūkṣatva) in varying degrees.