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

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292 : Scientific Contents in Prākrta Canons
or full salvation. But the span of maximum life for them seems to be too much with 1036-46 yrs. specially in the scientific age when the present world is supposed to be existing for about 1010 yrs. only. This point needs deeper thoughts. Cause of Differences in Time Units
There does not seem to be much difference in time units on smaller scales as they have been common since Bhagavati days in both the Jaina traditions. However, there is a good amount of difference in larger units. Muni Mahendra suggests that this difference might have arisen due to two Agamic councils. The Bhagavati and A. D. S. follow Valabhi council while Jyotiskarandaka seems to follow Mathuri council. There is no discussion on difference in Digambara tradition and it seems faith reigned over these discrepancies disregarding even the crediblity aspect of the future. However, this is a problem for the canonists to clarify. Useful Time Units and Their Use
It must have been clear from the above that interpolation and extrapolation of common units of time in Jainology has a large number of problems to understand the world and its event in their true perspective. Many other Indian systems have also their time units. They can be described in two categories — (i) Ghāti based ( 24 mts. ) and (ii) Muhūta based ( 48 mts. )36. These are shown in Table 12 with their equivalents of today. The Ghāti-based units seem to be finer but Prof. Jaina seems to favour the other ones. On thiş başis, he has been able to calculate the velocity of light with a value of 1,87,670 miles per second as mentioned earlier. Similarly, by assuming Nimeşa =1/4 sec., he has also been able to calculate the numerical value of Rajju R-another unit of distance for larger dimensions as equvalent to 1018-24 miles based on the data of Colebrook and Einstein37. This has been done despite the fact that one tradition of Jainas assumes its value to be known to the omniscients only.