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56 : Scientific Contents in Prākta Canons
padas in comparison to the existing 5000 pada size or approximately 99.97% lost. Thus, the assumption of mythological size or its loss to the extent of 99.97% will erode the canonical credibility together with the regard for spiritual power of the Ācāryas. The days of impressing by size are gone. Hence one must accept the canon size as it is current, assuming some reasonable memory loss. Table 6 : Extrapolative character of the Jainas.
Point
Hindus
Jainas
1. Cosmography
4-7 conti
Innumerable nents
continents 2. Wives of Cakravarti 16,000 96,000 3. Age of Universe cycle 1015 yrs. 107 yrs. 4. Incarnations/
10/24
3x24 Tirthankaras 5. Deitification of Idols Simple Pūjā By grand elephant
charioteering festival 6. Age of Krsna
100 yrs 1000 yrs 7. Unit of time
10-4 Sec. 10-250 Sec. 8. Jambu Tree, diameter -
90 Km. & ht. 9. Palace dimensions
410 x 547 x 273
meters 10. Pada of Letters 1/4 ślokas 1634, 8307, 888
letters 11. Arts for men
64 12. Concept of god God is one Every body could
be god 13. Sacred canons
4 Vedas 12 Angas However, it must be noted that the sizes mentioned even in terms of current padas suggest that the primary texts are voluminous. And their commentary literature is many times more voluminous and in many forms composed during different periods after 453 A. D. when Angas were put to writing.
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