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Microcosmology : Atom
SECTION V PARAMĀNU: THE ULTIMATE
INDIVISIBLE UNIT OF PHYSICAL EXISTENCE
A. DEFINITIONS
Paramāņu can neither be created nor destroyed. It is eternal, i.e., it existed in the past, exists in the present and will continue to exist in the future. It is the permanent basis of the physical existence. The entire physical existence is composed of these ultimate atoms.
The canonical literature, in general, and the Bhagavati Sūtra in particular, defines paramānu in various ways from different angles. It is the basis (ultimate "building blocks') of physical universe. It is indivisible, indestructible, impenetrable, incombustible and imperceptible to sense-organs. It cannot be split or destroyed by any means whatsoever. The sharpest instrument cannot divide it into two and the highest temperature cannot destroy it by burning. It does not become wet even if it is drenched by the deluge clouds (puskarāvarta mahāmegha). It will not lose its existence or identity even if it enters a drop of water or a whirlpool of water!
Paramānu is a true point. It has no half-portion, no middle portion and no pradeśa?. It has no length, no breadth and no depth. It is dimensionless. It is the ultimate and eternal unit.
It is truly infinitesimal Its beginning, the middle and the end are identical with the whole of itself4. Hence the sages have observed : "That of which the start, the centre and the end is the same i.e. which itself is the beginning, itself is the middle and itself
1. Bhag. Sūḥ, 20/6/38. 2. Ibid. 5/7/160. 3. Tat. Räj. 5/25/1. 4. Tat. Sūt. Sarva, 5-25
