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 255

Jaina Theory of Atoms : 233
be taken as complementary rather than contradictory.
Besides indicating the four qualities, the word 'rūpi' also indicates about the shape and size. Though each system points out atoms to be of solid spherical point shape, the Vaiseṣikas and Jainas have estimated their sizes to be between 10 to 10-13 cm. It could be guessed that this point alone can not make Jainistic atom to be different from the contemporary atom.
Despite the space point, shape and size, Jainas postulate quality of contraction and expansion capacity in atoms. This could be possible only when atom is supposed to be sufficiently hollow. No other older system has assumed this property in atoms. This hollowness, however, has been proved by the scientists of this century. But how a space-point could be hollow for the Jainas ?
Atoms are supposed to be real and their existence is proved by their activity and effects like formation of molecules and gross matter. It is the fourth variety of mattergy. It has indefinite activity and different types of motion and velocity. It has bonding capacity of a high order. Munishri29 and Ramapuria have summarised different properties of atoms described in canons. This indicates that the Jainas have pointed out many qualitative and quantitative properties which could be classified and described under the following four heads :
(i) Dynamic properties
(ii) Law of conservation of mattergy
(iii) Bonding properties
(iv) Variety of atoms.
The substantial, spatial, timal and modal description of atoms include all these properties.
Dynamic Properties
All systems assume dynamism in atoms. While the first motion in atoms is assumed to be due to vital force called adṛṣṭa by the Vaiseṣikas, the Greeks assume it to be natural,