Jain Journal 1970 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 30

OCTOBER, 1970
If
can move spontaneously or when activated by external causes. undisturbed the motion continues in a straight line. A change in the direction of motion occurs if it is acted upon by other matter. A jiva (soul) can never be a direct cause of the motion or change of motion of a paramāņu. A jiva can directly influence aggregates only. There is an indeterminacy or an element of caprice as to when an inert and resting paramāņu will be activated or when an active one will come to rest or become inert. The gap between the two such consecutive state from one time-point to an āvalika. A paramāņu can penetrate the thickest iron wall in its natural course, and can pass through the strongest electric field. A collision of two fast moving paramāņus will affect the motion of both of them.
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Let us examine the above properties of a paramāņu as described in the Jaina Agamas, in the light of the recent discoveries of the nuclear science. The paramāņu of the Jainas is the truly indivisible ultimate particle of matter. There is no parallel for it so far in science. The scientist in his search, for the basic elementary particle of the structure of material universe, has first played with the molecules, then with the atoms and now he is toying with electrons and nucleons. But dare he state that he has reached the ultimate? That nucleons, etc., are really elementary and cannot be subdivided into smaller constituent parts ? Wasn't it assumed only a half century ago that the atoms were indivisible? Yet, what a complicated mechanical picture akin to a solar system they present today: May be there are "solar systems" in the heart of the protons, etc., too. The intense mobility and the penetration power of the paramāņu emphasized by the Agamas leads us to believe that it is neither a particle nor a radiation. The measure of maximum velocity given above is unfortunately vague. Is it possible for a paramāņu to attain a velocity higher than that of light? According to Einstein the answer is No. But the negation is based on the hypothesis that a paramāņu must possess 'mass'. According to the Jainas, however, mass is acquired only by aggregates or skandhas and free paramāņu is agurulaghu i.e., perfectly devoid of mass and all velocities. Shall we be justified in assuming that in the state of a paramāņu the matter is pure 'energy' and therefore 'massless'? The element of indeterminacy of motion, is comparable to Heisenberg's principle of Uncertainty.
The minute gap of time between the consecutive states of activity and inertness lends support to the quantum nature of the material activity which is not an unbroken continuous stream, but discontinuous bits known as 'quanta' and the minimum amount of inter-action is usually known as 'quantum of action'.