Astronomy and Cosmology

Author(s): L C Jain
Publisher: Rajasthan Prakrit Bharti Sansthan Jaipur

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Some definitions are very complicated to be deciphered or to be computed. Based on these and by comparing the volume of the finite universe of Einstein Theory of Relativity with the volume of the universe as given in Jaina literature, G. R. Jain has come to the conclusion that one rajju=1.45 x 1021 miles based on Digambara School and equal to 1.63 x 1021 miles based on Svetāmbara School.
According to one definition of C. T. Colebrook, Jain also finds one rajju= 1.15 x 2021 miles roughly, but as pointed out by Muni Mahendra Kumar II and many other scholars, these values of one rajju can't be taken as accepted. Taking the same definition of Colebrook and interpreting it in two different other ways, Muniji finds that
one rajju=7,44 x 10 {1.47 x 10196+20} miles
or =4.00 x 10 {1.8 X 10245 + 3} miles The author also remarks that the Tiloyapaņņatti gives a very vivid description of the shape and the volume of the universe (the Lokākāśa) and also about the volumes of the three types of layers of air and water vapour all round the universe, showing that there is no outer surface of the universe without these layers. The author further mentions that in the Jaina School, the concept of eight central space-points of the loka, as well as the movement of matter and souls along the world-lines subject to instantaneous conditions defines a coordinate frame of the universe, full of space-points or time points and there is no corner of the universe which is not reachable before four instants, thus speaking of the principle of least time or the principle of quickest approach and the principle of least path, thus conforming to the theory that amongst all movements, the nature selects only those which reaches the desired location with expenditure of least action (energy x time).
Regarding the Yuga system in India, the author quotes Roger Billard and from his book, 'L' astronomie indienne investigation des textes Sanskrits et des données numèriques, Paris' and states that for astronomical studies what was being done in Greece during the period 8th Century B. C. to 2nd Century A, D., was being done in India also and the Jaina School was further studying the maximum and minimum periods of life-time of human, sub-human, gods and hellish beings in terms of muhūrtas, palyas and sāgaras etc. In this very context, he gives the meaning of palya, sāgara and briefly discusses the concepts of kalpa and parāvartana periods and comparability so important in the Jaina School. In the end, the author summarises, "The Jaina universe (Lokākāśa) is finite, lying in the very central portion of all space, with non-material media of motion and rest which have specific functional character. Space is a fluent and time-particles
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