Units of Length in Jaina Canons

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Z_Aspect_of_Jainology_Part_2_Pundit_Bechardas_Doshi_012016.pdf
Catalog link: https://jainqq.org/explore/250350/1

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UNITS OF LENGTH IN JAINA CANONS N. L. Jain Introduction The Jaina Canons contain large amount of descriptions about the physical phenomena in the world besides the main spiritual processes and discussions. Their knowledge is sensory in the first instance which is analysed by mind to give proper form and explanations. Barring supersensory knowledge, all other forms are primarily relative and qualitative. Their accuracy and absolutism is possible only through measurements. These give reliability and credibility to the descriptions. The Jaina scholars knew this fact and that is why they have written general and special treatises in this direction. The accuracy of the descriptions contained in them depends upon the standard units used. There have been three main areas of measurements since the earliest times : mass or volume, length, distance or area and time. In contrast, the International Congress on weights and Measures, 1971 have accepted seven areas under this category-mass, distance, time, electric current, heat, light and matter. It could be surmised that the last four categories could not develop in olden times. The author has pointed out earlier about the varieties in names, stages and values of time units described in Jaina canons of various ages. This does not make it possible to evaluate and compare the accurate meanings for the descriptions based on them. It was, therefore, suggested that there must be uniformity of names, stages and equivalent values in current units for the canonical time measures. Likewise, length units also require evaluative consideration. It is found that there is no such variety in length units described in canons as time. Still, there is no uniformity in their names and values used. The current paper is meant to emphasize the importance of uniformity in length units and to activate the scholars to move in this direction. Concept of Measurement in Jaina Canons Jaina canons have coined the term of Mana or Pramana for the process of measurement. Though Anuyogadwarsutra (ADS), Bhagvati (B), Trilokpragyapti (TP), Jambudvippragyapti and other canons do not mention classification of measures, but Rajvartik (RV) and Triloksara (TS) have accepted two varieties of measures : Laukika or worldly and Lokottar or paraworldly. The first category is mainly related with weight, volume, cost or number of materials and has six subclasses. These are virtually measures of mass (Dravyamana) only. Though ADS and RV seem to include the length measures through the variety of Avamana, but TS has described it as a measure of Volume. This seems to be more reasonable in view of the descriptions.

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Unit of Length in Jaina Canons 105 The paraworldly variety includes the measure of length and time. It has actually four subclasses-Dravya (matter), Length in all respects (Kshetra), Kala (time) and Bhava ( idea ). The matter-measure gives us the weight and volume of materials from the smallest atom to the largest earth. The length measure gives us the distance, area and volume of one space unit to the last of the world space. Time units measure from one samaya unit of time to infinite time units and Bhava (idea ) measures knowledge, perception, view points and numbers. All these four paraworldly measures of Akalanka are covered by the general measure types of ADS. The paraworldly nature of these measures seems to be the creation of Akalanka of 7th century who has many credits of this type. In addition, the ADS has classified the units of time, matter and length in two varieties--space-point based and division based. The first one has atom as the basis while the other has five varieties of matter units to which Akalanka has added Tat-pramana as the sixth variety under worldly matter units. The division-based basic units of time and length are Samaya and Angula respectively. In contrast, Aklanka has these two varieties of units for length alone. The authors of B, TP and JDP do not propound any paraworldly measures like Akalanka. The ADS has three main classes of Bhava ( idea ) measure with many subclasses thereupon. The Bhagavati does not have these types. Akalanka has mentioned only Upayoga (perception and knowledge) as a variety of Bhava but he has given only five types of knowledge (and no perception or its varieties) in explanatory commentary. Table I and II summarise the ADS and RV measures. It seems that ADS classification is more practical than RV which has repeatition, incompleteness and confusion. Table III summaries the useful informations about the different measures. This also makes it clear that no dividing line could be drawn between worldly and paraworldly measures as the latter includes all the six varieties of the first type. Of course, it seems that the latter type has more extensive area of measures to cover length, time and qualities. If we define this measure as that which has measuring limits beyond the fineness and grossness of worldly measures which may be invisible and unholdable. Still, the numerable measures of matter, the varieties of angula (A) etc. of length and muhurta, day, fortnight etc. units of time can never be called paraworldly. In addition, Akalanka has divided the mattermeasure in two varieties : number--measure and simily measure (Upama-mana). The latter has eight varieties. Out of which, Palya and Sagara are definitely time units and the rest six are length units. The simily measure, therefore, should not be taken as subclass of matter measure of paraworldly type. Of course, it would be a different case if one assumes them to be matter units because they are closely related to matter. This will mean a regress point. In view of these discrepant facts, the Akalanka classification of measures seems to be superfluous and not important. A serious consideration is necessary on this point. 14

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Mass Measure | 2 Space point Based | Atom Division Based 15 Table I. ADS Classification of Measures Measure 14 Length Measure T 1 I Mana Unmana Avamana Pratimana Space Point Based I Atom [2 I Ganit Division Based I 7 classes with Angula I 3 types Space Point Based I Existence of Atoms Time Measure Qualities Jiva 3 Knowledge, 4 Perception, 4 Conduct, 5 2 Division Based I Samaya, Avali etc. Viewpoints T 7 Types Ajiva 15 Color, 5 Taste, 5 Smell, 2 Touch, 8 Shapes, 5 Quality Measure [ 3 Number T 81 Types 106 N. L. Jain

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Table II. Akalanka Classification of Measures Measures 2 Worldly Paraworldly 16 As in ADS 5 Tatpramana 1 Aa ipramomra's Mass 12 Mass Length Time Quality Number Simily Space Point Based Division Based Units of Length in jaina Canons 13 Angula etc 7 | Types Numerable | Innume Infinity 3 types Samaya, Avali etc. Each of 3 types Palya sagar sa Pha da } I PL Upayoga 21 Knowledge Perception 107

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108 N. L. Jain Table III. Useful Information About different Measures A. Worldly Measures (RV) or Dravyamana (ADS) (i) Standard or Basic Measure (ii) Volume measure (iii) Weight measure (iv) Measure of mass/area. (v) Measure of Numbers (vi) Measure of Cost (ii) Measurement of Length/ Area, Kshetramana (iii) Time measure, Kalmana (iv) Measure of Quality, Bhavmana Pratimana Mana Unmana B. Paraworldly Measure (RV) or Measures (ADS) (i) Measure of Mass/Volume, Dravyaman Avamana Ganana Mana Tatpramana (i) Number Measure (ii) Simily Measure (i) Space point (ii) Division based dr Qualities, Viewpoints, Number Mustard seeds, Flowers of myrtle etc. Measure of volume of solid and liquid; Kudav, Droni, Shodashika etc. Measure of weights by balances. (i) Measure handoup etc. (ii) Measure of land by Dhanush etc. Counting of Materials. Measure of cost by height (of horse) or halo of jewels etc. of water in Measure of mass/volume from an atom to the largest earth. Basis of Measure of Length in Jaina Canons: Space Point or Pradesha Jainas have independent reality of space like time. It accommodates all the realities in the Universe and it is the basis for the movements. It was included in the five 'astikayas' (reality with space points) from the very beginning and hence its. position is somewhat different from the time reality. The space has infiniteness, extension and omnipresence. It has no varieties of practical and real type like time. Nevertheless, it is assumed for practical purposes that the space occupied by atom is known as Pradesha or unit space-point. The extension of space is denoted in the form of these space-points. The infiniteness of space is due to its infinite number of space-points. These are the basis for length or distance units. Measure from a space Pt. to the whole world. Measure from 1 samaya to infinite samasyas. Measure of qualities of Knowledge, perception, conduct and viewpoints, number.

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Units of Length in Jaina Canons 109 These are also the base for quantitative descriptions of the canons. These are termed as 'Akashanu' or space atoms like matter atoms. These are the measure of minimum length and thus form its basic units. As the space has extension, it could be 2 or 3 dimensional also. Hence the basic unit of Pradesha also forms the basis for area and volume units. It has been seen that time and distances are independent of each other, still the length units are described in canons as correlated with time units. The larger units of time-Palya and Sagara-have been defined on the basis of Yojana-a length unit. Though B, TP, RV and JDP follow this tradition, the ADS and SK (Satkhandagama-1) deal length units independently. Measure of Length in Bhagvati and Other Jaina Canons The Jaina canons like B, ADS, SK, TP, RV, TS, JDP and others written between Ist C. to 12th. century AD contain descriptions about length measures. Muni Mahendrakumarji-11 and Lishk et el have discussed them as described in ADS. Accordingly, these have three varieties--(i) self measure (ii) utsedha measure and (iii) pramana measure. These are utilised in measuring lengths of different types and extensions shown in Table IV. All the above canons have these three types of measures. A critical and comparative study of these measures will be presented here which are summarised in Table V, resulting in Table IV. Uses of Different Length Measures Name Unit Equivalence Uses 1. Utsedha Utsedhangula, UA - Measurements of heights of bodies and idols 2. Atma Atmangula, AA 2 UA Measurement of utility and useful small things 3. Pramana Pramanangula, PA 500/1000 UA Measurement of islands, oce ans, cities, solar system etc, the following facts : (i) All scholars have accepted the seven measure units from Angula A, to Yojana Y, as the practical units. (ii) All agree upon Angula as the practical unit of length. The category of this unit determines the value of Y. The basic A has been taken as UA. (ii) The standard unit of Atmangula is the finger tip of a standard healthy person with a height of 84 self angulas. The human heights of 120,108 or 96 A depend upon the different conditions and hence not taken as standard. (iv) One Atmangula unit is canonically equal to 2 UA. (v) The Angula unit is 1-dimensional as per JDP which is also known as Suchyangula

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110 N. L. Jain (vi) One UY (utsedha yojana) has 7,68,000 angulas. Taking this as the last unit, and assuming it as equal to 4 K (Koshas) or 8 miles (I mile=1.66 kms= 1,66,000 cms), I UA comes out to be equal to 13,28,000/7,68,000 1.73 cms. Datta and Singh have shown that 1 Anguliparva of Buddhist measure is equivalent to 1.32" or 3.68 cms. The UA of Jainas has half this value, i.e. it is equal to 1.68 cms. It is on this basis that 1 UY has been calculated to be equal to 8 miles or 13.26 kms. Thus, by interpolation of Yojana or extrapolation of Angula, the UA has a value of 1.68-1.73 or 1.70 cms. on the average. In contrast, G. R. Jain has assumed a Hasta, H=24 UA=45.90 cms and hence 1 UA-0.75"=1.90 cms. This means a UY=15.09 kms or 100/11 miles instead of 13.28 kms as above. He has used this value to calculate the velocity of light based on its Vedic value of 4404 Y per Nimesha (0.25 sec.) which is sufficiently close to the current value. It must, must, however, be said that there is no confirmed base for this value of Angula, though L. C. Jain also agrees with this value. The acceptance of different values for the same basic unit creates doubt on the reliability of calculations based on them. Munishri Chandanji has also discussed the equivalence of UA on the basis of height of Lord Mahavira as 7 H. He maintains that the canonical height is based on UA which is equal to 3.5 H in self measure. This is equal to 84 AA as IH=24 AA and 1 UA=0.5 AA. Hence 7 UAX 24/2 = 84 AA. If one assumes the UA as 1.70-1.90 cms., the Lord's height comes to be a minimum of 7 x 24 x 1.70= 285.6 cms or 9.25 feet. This value seems to be inconsistent on all accounts for a man born in tropical Bihar area. Thus, he has questioned both the above UA values. He does also not agree with the parmanu or atom as the basic unit of length due to the difficulties in its standardisation. Instead, he has supported the Jaina concept of Angula standard on the basis of being natural. He has given a value of 0.42" or 1.07 cm. to UA on the basis of many comparative references and logistics. Based on this, I UY=5 miles or 8.30 kms, and the height of the Lord as 5.84 feet of 178 cms. which seems to be reasonable. He has given critical descriptions about the various body heights in literature and has canonically defined the standard UA. However, his concept of natural Angula being standard could not be justified on account of its larger variability than an atom. Lishk have given a fourth value for UY as 0.085 km. (0.51 miles) equivalent to a value of app. 0.001 cm. for the UA. They have suggested that the values of these units should be decided on the basis of historical period and place. Thus, they seem to be adding to our difficulty in the process of standardisation and he has conveyed that the value of standard basic Angula is variable, that is, it is a secondary rather than primary as desired by canons. One would like to wonder how a variable quantity may be treated as a standard. Moreover, the authors of ADS, B, TP, JDP and SK belong to the same side of the country and there should not be

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Units of Length in Jaina Canons any variation in their descriptions. On the other hand, Akalanka and others originate from south and there should not be variations in their measures. But we see variations not only in both the groups, but in the same group also. look as to the when and how of this variation. One has to 111 Length Units Smaller than Angula The length units based on UA are known as Utsedha measures representing their division based category. The smallest unit of category is atom. very fine, there is another practical unit known as 'Practical atom'. When we interpolate the UA unit towards smaller units, we reach the point of practical atom. Though the JDP mentions Trutirenu (or Urdhwarenu of ADS) as practical atom, though the ADS points it to be a much smaller unit (8+). The real practical unit is an infinite multiple of this unit which has the same in ADS and B, but Table V shows that its name is different in TP, RV and JDP. The same is the position of the second unit eight times larger. These two units should have uniform names in current times. The cause of the different names should also be looked into. It is seen that there are 13 stages of smaller units upto UA in ADS while there are 12 stages in other treatises including Bhagavati. The how and when of this change requires further consideration. Is it the mistake of the copyist ? Besides the above two differences, B (100 BC) and RV (750 AD) have same. names of other ten units upto Angula. In contrast, there is similarity in names in TP and JDP (names of hair heads and yava or yavamadhya). This difference should also be looked into and formalised for the current age. It is clear from Table V that each of the 12 stages from Angula backwards is eighth part of the preceding unit. The first unit, thus has a value of 16 x 10-10 A. If we multiply this value by its cm.-equivalent of 1.70, the first unit has a value ef 2.72 x 10-10 cm. If one takes JDP as a little more practical, and the prac tical atom or trutirenu is taken as 8x864 times the first unit, the practical atom. has a dimension of 1.75 x 10-8 cm. which is the size of the current scientific atom. This suggests that JDP concept of practical atom unit has the same atomic dimension as the current one. In contrast, the unit of length smaller than atomic one is that of atomic nucleus of 10-13 cm. This does not coincide with the canonical smallest unit of 10-10 cm. It is, therefore, reasonable to suggest that Trutirenu of Practical atom unit should be recognised as standard unit with a value of 10 cm. and the cononical descriptions should be made consistent on this basis. The units smaller than this may be simily based, the unit of 1/seems to be imaginary as it does not have a measurable value. This inference does not seem to be consistent with definitions of Trasarenu and Rathrenu of ADS, but this seems better for accuracy. The ADS definitions of these terms seems to be akin to the Vaisheshikas who have Trutirenu as their standard length unit equal in size to the colloidal dirt particles seen floating in light path. This unit is almost about 10"

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112 N. L. Jain times larger than the Jaina smallest unit. The discrepancy between the values of ADS unit and other reference units have to be explained. The common names of some of the units in Jaina and Vaisheshika systems further suggests about looking into the original source of these units. Besides concurring with the size of atom, the 1.70cm. value of UN has another result to its credit. If one takes Y-8 miles and PY - 500Y=4000 miles, the velocity of light based on vedic data comes to be 1, 40, 930 miles/sec (2.30X 103 cm./sec). The value of 1.90 cm for UA gives this value as 1,87,300 miles (3.10 x 1010 cm) per second. These values are reasonably approaching the current values. This is quite encouraging. But when we move for distances in solar system, we find that we have the distance 14 times larger for moon and 30 times lesser for sun. This discrepancy is awaiting explanation. The other values of UA will increase the discrepancy still further. It has already been pointed out that the normal angula is 1 d and it is also named as Suchyangula. There seems to be some difference in the RV and IDP descriptions of this unit. But JDP seems to be more reasonable. This angula has three varieties as shown in Table IV. It is seen that there is difference between the values of PA in Digambara and Swetambara systems. No comments have been made on this point by modern scholars who have mostly mentioned this difference. For equivalence, the PA's must be equal. One could suggest that this difference has accrued due to the two forms of angula units--self and utsedha, the one AA being double of the other-UA. It could be surmised that the Digambara PA is based on UA scale while the other PA is based on AA scale. If both are taken on the same scale, the difference will vanish. From the example of the Lord's body height, it is the UA scale coined by canonicals. Thus, the Swetambara value converted to UA scale will give us the Digambara value of PA. Some calculations on this basis are given in Table VI. If one takes the Swetambara value of PA, the results will be highly discrepant. The treatment of current equivalence of UA by many scholars presents a situation which was prevalent in the scientific world some 150 years ago when lack of standardisation produced confusion and checked growth of science. The same is the case with the atom when scholars of orient are pitching on the indivisiblity which has been shattered. Jain has pointed out some problems in this regard and suggested the description to be taken in historical perspective. However, there seems a tendency in some scholars to trace canonical origin for all the newly developed facts and to either overlook or keep mum over the scientific evaluations of a large number of discrepant canonical descriptions about the physical phenomena. Sometimes varied explanations are given for the same fact to make it scientifically consistent despite the fact that opposing or inconsistent results accrue from this trend. Some of the results of calculations based on current opinions regarding equivalent values of UA are shown in Table VI which will substantiate

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Table V. Units of Length in Some Jaina Canons Trilokpragypti, TP Rajvartik, RV Jambudivpannatti, JDP P P-Ubasannasanna, U P=1 Utsangysangya, U Bhagvati, B A. Smal lar Units en Basic Unit Paramanu, P P=1 Utslakshnslaksha nika, U 8U-1 Slakshnshlakshani ka, S. 8S = 1 Urdhvarenu (Tru tiranu), Tr. P P=L Avasannasa nna, U 1 Sannasanna, S =1 Sanasanna, S = 1 Sangyasangya, S +1 Trutirenu, Tr. = 1 Tr 8 Tr=1 Trasrenu, Ts 8 Ts+1 Rathrenu, Rr 8 Rr=1 Hairhead, UBHH (Devkuru-Uttarkuru) =1 Ts =1 Rr 1 Hairhead, UBHH (As in B) -1 Tr (Practical Atom) =1 Ts =1 Rr = 1 UBHH (As in TP) -1 Ts =1 Rc = 1 Hairhead, UBHH (Uttam Bhog bhumi) =1 MBHH (Madhyam Bhog bhumi) -1 JBHH (Jaghanya Bhogbhumi) =1 PBHH (Karmbhumi) Units of Length in Jaina Canons SUBHH= 1 Hairhead, MBHH (Hari-Ramyak Area) 1 MBHH (As in B) =1 MBHH (As in TP) =1 JBHH (As in B) - 1 JBHH (As in TP) 8MBHH=1 Hairhead, JBHH (Hemvat-Airavat Area) 8JBHH-1 Hairheap, PBHH (Purv-Videh) 8PVHH=1 Liksha, Li 8 Li-1 Yuka, Eu 8 Eu=1 Yavamadhya, Y 8 Y=1 Angula, A 1000 A=1 Pramanangula, PA =1 Li =1 Eu = 1 Yava, Y =1A 500 A=1 PA =1 PVHH (Bhart-Airayt-Videl) 1 Li = 1 Eu = 1 Yavamadhya, Y -1A 500 A-1 PA = 1 PVHH = 1 Li =1 Eu = 1 Yava, Y =1 A 500 A-1 PA 113

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114 Nomal Units 6 A=1 Pada, Pd. 2 P= 12 A= 1 Vitasti, V 2 V - 24 A-1 Hasta, H 2 H-48 A-1 Kukshi, K 2 K-96 A=1 Dhahush, D 1 =1 Pd -1 V =1 H -1 K (Rikku) = 1 D (Dhanush, Danda) - 1 Pd -1 V =1 H =1 Kishku, K =ID =1 Ed -1 V =1H -1K =1D 1 Ko =1 Y =1 Ko =1 Y -1 Ko =1 Y 2000 D=1,92,000 A-1 Kosha, Ko 4 Ko=7,68,000 A=1 Yojana, Y C. Larger Units 1000 A=1 PA 1000 Y=1 PY L Jagshreni, J=7 Rajju, R 1 Rajju, R=1/7 Jagshreni, 1/7J 500 A=1 PA 500 Y=1 PY As in B As in B 500 A=1 PA 500 Y=1 PY As in B As in B 500 A=1 PA 500 Y=1 PA As in B As in B N. L. Jain

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Units of Length in Jaina Canons 115 1.90 8.00 the above statement. The calculations based on values of Lishk et el are most discordant. Table VI will confuse one to decide the truth or accuracy of the Table VI. Some Calculations Based on Various Values of UA Values of UA, cm. 1.70 1.07 0.001 UY (a) km. 13.28 15.09 8.30 0.085 (b) miles 100/11 5.00 0.051 PY (500 UA), km. 6640 7545 4150 42.33 miles 4000 4545 2500 25.55 PY (1000 UA), km. 13280 15090 8300 84.66 miles 8000 9090 5000 51.00 Size of Atom, cm 1.75 x 10-6 1.94 x 10-8 1.09 x 10-8 1.00 x 10-10 Lord's body height, cm. 285.6 319.2 178 0.168 Velocity of Light, UY (a) cm./sec 2.34 x 1010 3.10 x 8010 1.46 x 1010 1.49 x 108 (b) miles/sec 1,40,930 1,87,300 88080 898.5 Distance of Moon, PY (880 PY), lac miles 35.20 39.95 22.00 0.398 Distance of Sun, PY (800 PY), Lac miles 32.00 36.36 22.00 0.204 fact. It is worth consideration which of these values may be taken as applicable in all cases. Lord Mahavira must have given one value for it. How and when this variety and values of Angula started is a problem for further research. One of the reasons for this might be the personal or literary communication gap between the scholars of different periods. This gap has vanished in this century and it is the best time for uniformity in units and their values. When areas or volumes are to be expressed, the 2-d or 3-d units are used. The 2-d and 3-d Angula units are known as Pratarangula (PrA) and Ghanangula (GA) respectively. Their values are equal to the square and cube of the Angula unit. They are shown in Table VII. Table VII. Current Values of Length Units in Jaina Canons Unit Current Values 1-d units 1. Ubasannasanna or the 10-10 cm. first smallest unit 2. Trutirenu or Practical atom 3. SA or UA, cm. 0.001, 1.07, 1.70, 1.90 4. AA 2 UA 10-8 cm.

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116 5. PA 6. Yojana, Y (a) UY, Km. (b) PY, km (500 UY) (1000 UY) 7. Rajju, R; km. 8. Jagshreni, J; km. 2-d Units 1. Pratarngula, PrA 2. Jagprata/Pratarlok, JP/PL 3-d Units 1. Ghanangula, GA 2. Ghanaloka, GL 3. Khanduka N. L. Jain 500 UA, 1000 UA 0.085, 8.30, 13.28, 15,09 4150, 6640, 8300 42.83 84.66 Innumerable Yojanas 7545 13280 15090 3.7x101-2.4x1021 7R 2.6 x 1019-1.68 x 102 (UA)" (J )2 (UA) UAX PrA (J)-(7R)3-343 GR 1/64 GR Larger Units Length The UA based Yojana, Y is the unit of length of practical and average value. It seems quite small for larger distances. Jaina Acharyas have, therefore coied some larger length units like time. These are known as Pramana units. The PA based Yojana, PY, is a 1-d unit in this direction. It has a value of 500 or 1000 times larger than UY or it is equivalent to 4000 or 8000 miles (1Y8 miles). Other different values based on various of UY are given in Table VI varying between. 6640-15090 km. These are measurable units. With reference to the dimensions of the Universe, there is one more unit names as Rajju, R. Canonically, it seems difficult to evaluate the current value for it, as its calculations involve innumerable number. Despite this, Jain and Jain have calculated the valus of Rajju unit to be between 101-1031 kms. Jagshreni, J its still a larger unit which is equal to 7R or between 1019-10 kms. These larger units are just akin to the current units of Light year which has a value of app. 101 km. This suggests that the larger units of length of the Jainas are sufficiently larger. These are also included in Table. VII. The above description of larger units have also their corresponding 2-d and 3-d units named as Pratarlok (PL) and Ghanloka or Loka (GL, L) respectively. These are equal to the square and cube of Jagshrenu unit. Lokprakash mentions an another of 3-d unit of Khandka, K equal to one-fourth cube (1/64) of a Rajju. This and its derivative units are not found in Digambara tradition. The above description of larger units shows the PY to be different in different traditions. Thus, descriptions based on them will have a variance and their reliablity will be more mythological. The current century, however, requires uniform value of PY for proper evaluation of various descriptions in canons.

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Some Descriptions Based on Larger Length Units Many description relating larger distances, area and volumes are available in Jaina Canons. Some of them are presented here in current terms in Table VIII. Let us first look at the island-Jambudvipa-in which we live. It is named after a Jambu tree in its centre. It is 6Y in height, 8Y in length and 6Y in diameter. The corresponding description is given in Table VIII. It is clear that this cannot be based on PY. Basing it on UY also looks like an exaggeration. Not only this, 108 Jambu trees of half the dimensions of the main tree are surrounding it. If we assume that there is at least one tree surrounding it in one direction, there will be approximately a row of approximately 27 trees of 60 km length covering a distance of 27 x 601620 km. in one direction. This is equal to a distance from Delhi to Kazipeth, Bombay, Veraval and Howrah. Thus, it seems that more than half of the present India will contain only the family of Jambu trees. This description seems to be imaginary when one thinks of current distances and descriptions of the trees. The Jambu island has a diameter of 105 PY. This island has the Bharat Khand with an area of a little over 1/190 of main island and diameter of app. 526 YP. The island has Meru mount in the centre Table VIII. Current Values for some canonical Descriptions Values based on UY Items 1. Jambudvipa (i) Diameter, 10 Y, km. (ii) Circumference, 3.16x 10 Y (iii) Area 2. Bharat Khand Units of Length in Jaina Canons (i) Diameter, 526 Y 3. Mount Meru (i) Under the Earth, 1000 Y (ii) Over the Earth, 99,000 Y 4. Jambu Tree (i) Diameter, 6Y, Km. (ii) Height, 6Y (iii) Length, 8Y 33 dw 5. Height (Lord Rishabhdeo), 0.05Y 6. Height of Palace, 225D 7. Length of Palace, 300D 8. Width of Palace, 150D 9. Height of Vijay Dvar, 8Y 10. Diameter ,, 4Y 15x 105 47.4 x 105 11.6x1011 3.5 x 10" 90 90 120 910 metres 410 547 273 120 km. 60 km. 117 PY based values 7.5 x 10 2.4 x 100 5.9 x 1014 7890.00 7.5 x 106 7.4 x 10 45,000 45,00 60,000

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118 N. L. Jain which is 99,000 PY overland and 1000 PY underland. The current values for these descriptions in Table VIII suggest that it is very difficult to determine the category of reliability about them. Table VIII gives the values on the basis of UY= 15 km. and PY - 500 UY. Calculations based on other values of UY also yield similar discrepant values. These values can only be presently explained on the basis of faith in canons and religion which do not require verification. This, however, is causing erosion in faith. Dr. Upadhya has exclaimed similarly in his editorial in TP adding that these descriptions are not appealing to the current scientific world. If we wish to convert the mythological category into reliability, one has to fix the canonical length units with a definite current value uniformly. Most probably this may not be possible. In that case, we must not insist on their permanent truth or omniscientist's wordings. They must be taken in historical perspective as an attractive mythology so common in all the systems in olden periods if their development. References 1. Tarnikar, M. S. et el; Prarambhik Bhautiki, J. Nath and Co., Meerut, 1983, 6 p. 2. Jain, N. L.; Time Units in Jainology : A Survey, Tulsi Pragya, X 4, 22, 1984. 3. Jain, J. C. and Mehta, M. L. : Jain Sahitya ka Vrihat Itihas-2, PVRI, Varanasi. 4. Sudharma Swami; Bhagavati Sutra-1, JSR, Sailana, 1966, p. 1038. 5. Acharya, Yativrishabh; Tiloyapannatti-1, JSS Sangha, Sholapur, 1956, p. 13. 6. Acharya, Padmananadi; Jambudivapannatti sangaho, ibid, 1958, p. 237. 7. Bhatta, Akalanka; Tattwarth Vartik-1, Bhartiya Gyanpith, Delhi, 1944, p. 205-8. 8. Chakravarty, Nemichand; Triloksara, SDJS, Mahavirji, 1975, p. 12. 9. See Ref. 8, p. 13. 10. Acharya, Puspdant and Bhutbali; Satkhandagama-1, Amraoti, 1939, p.80 11. See ref. 7, p. 206. 12. Ibid, p. 207. Kundkuld, Acharya; Panchastikayasara Intr., Bhartiya Gyanpith, Delhi, 1975, p. xxi. Muni, Mahendrakumarji-II, Vishwa Prahelika, Javeri Prakashan, Bombay, 1969, p. 233. 15. Lishk, S. S. et el; Length Units in Jaina Astronomy, Jain Journal, 143. 1979.

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Units of Length in Jaina Canons 119 16. Muni, Chandanji; Utsedhamana, Ek, Mulyankan, Tulsi Pragya, ix 7-9, 1983, p. 1. 17. See. Ref. 6, p. 237. 18. See ref. 14, p. 236, ref. 1. 19. Jain, G. R.; Cosmology, Old and New, Bhartiya Gyanpith, Delhi, 1975, p. 83. 20. Jain, G. K.; KCS Felicitation Volume, Rewa, 1980, p. 337. 21. Jain, L. C.; Tiloyapannatti ka Ganit in JDP; JSS Sangha, Sholapur, 1958, p. 20. Gautam, Akshapada; Nyayadarshanam, Bauddhabharti, Varanasi, 1976, p. 326. 23. See ref. 7, p. 208. 24. Jain, N. L.; Atomic Theory of Jainas, An Evaluation, Tulsi Pragya, xi-1, 1985. 25. See ref. 7, p. 169. 26. See ref. 7, p. 170. 27. See ref. 7, p. 190. 8. Suri, Shrutsagar; Tattwarthvritti, Bhartiya Gyanpith, Delhi, 1944, p.124. 29. See ref. 5, p. 145. 30. See ref. 6, p. 5. 31. See ref. 5, Preface-i. 22. PA PY RV Raivo S Abbregiations/Symbels A Angula AA Atmangula ADS Anuyogdvarsutra Bhagavatisutra GA Ghanangula GL Ghanloka H Hasta Jagshreni JDP Jambudvip-pannatti JP Jagpratar K Khanduka SK PL Pra TR Pramanangula Pramana Yojan Rajvartika/Tattwarthvartika Suchyangula Satkhandagama-1 Pratarloka Pratarangula Trilokpragyapti Triloksara Utsedhangula Utsedh Yojan TS UA UY

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