A Study of Matter and Atomism in Indian Philosophy

This paper reviews the various branches of Indian Philosophy especially those orthodox, including the <i>Sankhya, Vaisesika, Nyay</i>, and <i>Mimansha</i>. The purpose of the study was to investigate the manner philosophical foundations of chemistry can be developed amidst the literature. The study has been mainly based upon the literature reviews whereby the original texts in Sanskrit and their translation along with digest and commentaries of different scholars were conducted. All those various facts of philosophy were then corroborated with the modern knowledge of science.It has been mentioned that atoms are the basic building block of every corporeal object in this universe. Even the shape of the atom is said to be globular. One atom joins another atom to form a dyad or triad and then creates the entire universe due to the geometrical progressions. It is also mentioned that the atoms cannot be destroyed through any means. The whole process of evolution was sequenced as <i>Akash</i> or ether emerged first, followed respectively by gas, fire, water, and earth. This would start a new debate the earth separated from the sun as a gas or as a fireball. It may be also a case that the earth may have existed in gaseous form just like Jupiter, Saturn, and Neptune.