Cosmology Old and New

Author(s): G R Jain
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 61

SUTRA 1 (Adharma)
some strong motive force applied to the cable; suppose that this force drew the cage swiftly in the direction of a line from the bottom to the top of the cage; and suppose that the force were so steady and noiseless that it was not suspected by the man in the cage. What would he imagine was happening? He would suddenly discover that he was being drawn against the bottom of the cage; only by a strong effort with his legs could he jump away from the bottom for a moment, and then he would instantly feel strongly attracted' back to the bottom. Actually, as we can see from outside, the bottom is being drawn towards him; but he, accustomed to his notion of gravitation would never suspect this. He would feel attracted by the bottom'. And the most ingenious physicist, supplied with all the most sensitive apparatus, even if he guessed at two reasons for the sensation, could never determine which was the real one."
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In the words of Henshaw Ward "Gravitation is an absolute mystery. We cannot guess at any explanation of its nature. If we call it a 'a force of attraction'78 we are not saying anything; we cannot conceive how a force can act at a distance without any medium through which to act or how the force can act instantaneously or what could propagate it."
But then what is the Einsteinian explanation of falling bodies. According to Einstein the totality of space is so 'curved' that ray of light, after travelling in a direct line for a long enough time, would come back to its starting point. The curving of space in any region depends upon the concentration of matter there; the greater the mass of matter the greater is the curvature or warping. If anyone could become familiar with the abstruse formulae and calculations of Prof. Eddington it would be natural to suppose that space and time must be warped under the influence of so much gravitational force assembled in one place. How could it be otherwise? How could space and time be expected to stand the strain of such an intolerable deal of matter heaped around one centre? In the words of H. Ward again "To be surprised at the curving of space is to be like a child who is grieved when a house of cards
78. Newton introduced the idea of 'gravitation as a force of attraction because the state of rest or of uniform motion, which he postulated (see Foot-note No. 50), cannot be observed in the space in which we live. In the lokakaś a there is no space devoid of forces.