Aspect of Jainology Part 2 Pandita Bechardas Doshi

Author(s): M A Dhaky, Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 548

Units of Length in Jaina Canons
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any variation in their descriptions. On the other hand, Akalanka and others originate from south and there should not be variations in their measures. But we see variations not only in both the groups, but in the same group also. One has to look as to the when and how of this variation.
Length Units Smaller than Angula
The length units based on UA are known as Utsedha measures representing their division based category. The smallest unit of category is atom. As this is very fine, there is another practical unit known as 'Practical atom'. When we interpolate the UA unit towards smaller units, we reach the point of practical atom. Though the JDP mentions Trutirenu (or Urdhwarenu of ADS) as practical atom, though the ADS points it to be a much smaller unit (8-2+). The real practical unit is an infinite multiple of this unit which has the same in ADS and B, but Table V shows that its name is different in TP, RV and JDP. The same is the position of the second unit eight times larger. These two units should have uniform names in current times. The cause of the different names should also be looked into.
It is seen that there are 13 stages of smaller units upto UA in ADS while there are 12 stages in other treatises including Bhagavati. The how and when of this change requires further consideration. Is it the mistake of the copyist?
Besides the above two differences, B (100 BC) and RV (750 AD) have same names of other ten units upto Angula. In contrast, there is similarity in names in TP and JDP (names of hair heads and yava or yavamadhya). This difference should also be looked into and formalised for the current age.
It is clear from Table V that each of the 12 stages from Angula backwards is eighth part of the preceding unit. The first unit, thus has a value of 1 6x 10-10 A. If we multiply this value by its cm.-equivalent of 1.70, the first unit has a value ef 2.72 x 10-19 cm. If one takes JDP as a little more practical, and the practical atom or trutirenu is taken as 8 x 8 = 64 times the first unit, the practical atom has a dimension of 1.75 X 10-8 cm. which is the size of the current scientific atom. This suggests that JDP concept of practical atom unit has the same atomic dimension as the current one. In contrast, the unit of length smaller than atomic one is that of atomic nucleus of 10-13 cm. This does not coincide with the canonical smallest unit of 10°10 cm. It is, therefore, reasonable to suggest that Trutirenu of Practical atom unit should be recognised as standard unit with a value of 10-8 cm. and the cononical descriptions should be made consistent on this basis.
The units smaller than this may be simily based, the unit of 1/seems to be imaginary as it does not have a measurable value. This inference does not seem to be consistent with definitions of Trasarenu and Rathrenu of ADS, but this seems better for accuracy. The ADS definitions of these terms seems to be akin to the Vaisheshikas who have Trutirenu as their standard length unit equal in size to the colloidal dirt particles seen floating in light path. This unit is almost about 105