Bhagavana Mahavira and his Relevance in Modern Times

Author(s): Narendra Bhanavat, Prem Suman Jain, V P Bhatt
Publisher: Akhil Bharat Varshiya Sadhumargi Jain Sangh

Page 87

74
Mahāvira and His Relevance
earth so far, though the earth is said to be millions of years in existence. Also this earth is one of the many earths existing in this universe. The earth has been existing for infinite time and will continue to exist for infinite time.
The view that this earth is one of the many earths existing in this universe received due corroboration from the present day astronomical researches, which accept that there are other planets like our own and just as the men of this earth are trying to reach other planets, through rockets, similarly men from other planets might also be coming to this planet as demonstrated by Flying Saucers.
Dharmadravya and Ether :
Dharmadravya is regarded as the principle of motion and is pervasive in the universe, though devoid of all sensuous qualities like colour taste etc. The Dharmadravya helps the Jivas and the atoms that is the living and the nonliving in motion, though it does not impart any motion to any of the objects of the universe. Thus it is inactive, though movement is impossible without it. Just as water is helpful to the fishes for their movement, similarly Dharmadravya is of help to the living and the nonliving in their motion.
When Gautam asked Mahavira, “My Lord, How Dharmadravya (Dharmāstikāya) is useful for the living and the nonliving?" Lord Mahavira replied “Gautam, without dharmā stikāya, there would have been no movement possible for any object, no spread of sound waves, no mental and physical activity. This universe would have been completely motionless. All motions in the universe take place *with the help of dharmāstikāya.s
To another question of Gautam as to how Adharmāstikāya, is useful for the living and the nonliving, Lord Mahavira replied, “If there was no Adharmāstikāya, then it was impossible to remain standing or sitting or sleeping, seeing and even having concentration of the mind. This universe would have been in continuous motion. Objects are at their respective places of rest because of adharmāstikāya.8
Before nineteenth century, the scientist did not accept any thing like ether, but when the question of medium of motion of light rays from one planet to the other pressed it self, the hypothesis of ether gained ground. According to Einstein (the greatest intellectual
ever produced in the history of mankind so far), Ether has no motion