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Properties of Matter
153
to infinitefold transformations or modifications ( states ) of degrees. At every samaya ( instant ) the possible divisions of four qualities among them are found in each and every form of matter. In other words, every one of them has got one to infinitefold transformations or modifications. As for instance, there are stated to be onefold black, twofold, black, threefold black up to tenfold black, numerablefold black, innumerablefold black and infinitefold black colour; the accounts of blue, red, yellow and white also should thus be understood. Similarly, those of pleasant and unpleasant smells, of five tastes and of eight touches should be known.
The Jaina conception of five colours of Matter appears to be scientific. Black, blue, red, yellow and white are inherent colours in Matter; they are the basic colours and more scientific and up-to-date, as it is demonstrated by the following statements. “As the temperature of a body is raised, it emits first of all infra-red radiation, then red light, then yellow light, and finally white light. If we could obtain even higher temperatures in the laboratory, we could make bodies 'blue hot, as is actually observed with some of the stars."I
“As the temperature of a body is raised, the colour emitted by it becomes more and more rich in waves of shorter-wavelength. Some of the stars shine with a bluish white light which indicates that their temperature must be very high.”. “The infra-red rays are the dark heat rays which do not generate the sensation of vision. These rays are present in what appears to be perfect darkness to us. The eyes of a cat or of an owl are provided with the infra-red rays, so that these animals can perceived in the dark."3 Now-a-days photographs can be taken in utter darkness with the help of infra-red-rays. "So long as the temperature is below the draper point, 525°C, a body 1. A Text Book of Heat by A. W. Barton, p. 361. 2. Dr. M. N. Saha, F.R.S. and B, N. Srivastava, p. 341,
Vide Cosmology Old and New, p. 166. 3. Cosmology, Old and New, p. 166.
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