Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons

SR No.: 001670
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 608
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, & Religion
File Size: 9 MB

Page 247

Jaina Theory of Atoms : 225
development of various Indian philosophical systems. They all have sufficiently pre-Christian era of development as approximated by prominent scholars“ and given below in Table 1. Their literature grew first by oral tradition and then in script form some two to three hundred years later. The major commentaries developed later between second and ninth centuries A. D. elaborating and incorporating the newer tenets on this theory. It is clear from Table 1 that Gośāla was senior to Mahāvira and others", and in turn Mahāvira and his literature is the first to be counted authentically. All other systems seem to be junior in all respects. It should, however, be mentioned that some scholars hold different views about contents of Table16 but the majority subscribes to it. Nevertheless, the table supplements and supports the contention of Rieppe as above. Table 1 : Approximate dates of origin and first literature of
Indian systems of philosophy. System
App. Hist. Date First Literature 1. Markhali Gośāla 600-544 B. C.
(Ajivaka ) 2. Mahāvira ( Jaina ) 599-527 B. C.* App. 400 B. C. 3. Buddhas
599-486 B. C. 300 B. C. 4. Sānkhyas
500-400 B. C. 150 B. C. 5. Cārvākas
600-400 B. C. 150 B. C. 6. Vaiśesikas 500 B. C.
300 B. C. 7. Democritus ( Greek 1420 B. C.
420 B. C. * 540-468 B. C. under current thoughts.
Despite Prakrddha belief in seven elements - water, fire, air, earth, soul ( life ), joy and sorrow — in the world, the Upanišadics, Ājivikas, Cārvākas, Buddhas and Vaiseșikas had four basic bhūtas, dhātus, elements or atoms. The contemporary Sankhya school seems to have peeped a little deeper in assuming a formless matter (Prakrti ) as the fundamental cause to produce infra-atoms or tanmātrās, subtle senses and they leading to fine and gross senses and matter. The earliest