Jain Journal 1988 07

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

Page 37

30
JAIN JOURNAL
philosophy. According to Jaina metaphysics, there are stated to be infinite paramánus but there does not exist any radical difference among them like prthvi-paramānu (earth-atom), ap-paramānu (water-atom) teja-paramāņu (fire-atom) and vāyu-paramāņu (air-atom) of the Vaisesika.47 A paramāņu of Jaina philosophy can assume any form in accordance with the causal condition. The paramānu (ultimate atom) which underwent change into the form of the earth can undergo transformation into the forms of water, fire, etc., on the alteration of the materials. That is to say, there is no class-distinction among paramānus conceived in Jaina metaphysics. 48 A paramānu is endowed with one colour, one taste, one smell and two touches and it is apprehended by the mark of its effect (käryalinga).49 If a paramānu is endowed with one colour, it may be black, or blue, or red, or yellow, or white, if it is possessed of one smell, it may have pleasant smell or unpleasant smell; if it is endowed with one taste it may have bitter taste, or sour taste, or astringent taste, or acidic taste, or sweet taste ; if it is possessed of two touches, it may be cold and cohesive, or cold and dry, or warm and cohesive, or warm and dry.50 The existence of paramāņu can be inferred on observation of their collective effect. Even its properties are inferred on observation of the basic properties of pudgala (matter). Hence it is inferable by its effect for the persons having common knowledge.57 In the same voice of Jaina metaphysics, the Nyaya-Vaisesika 52 and the physical sciences also accout for the existence of atoms in this manner. “Individual atomic events are not observed directly, though their consequences may be and hence greater reliance must be placed on logical inference and methodology than in most other branches of science."53 “Many of the experimental verifications of atomic properties depend on observations of the properties of matter on a large scale. Thus the study of the thermo-dynamics and the statistical behaviour of large numbers of atoms, which provides a connection between atomic attributes and the gross properties of matter, is very important.'' 54
47 Vaisesika-darsana by Kanada, adhyaya IV, ahnika 1, sutra 3. 48 Tattvarthadhigama-sutra by Umasvati, prathama vibhaga, p. 324. 49 Ibid., ch. V, sutra 25 (Bhasya), p. 365. 50 Bhagavati-vyakhya-prajnapti, sataka 20, uddesaka 5, sutra 668. 51 Ibid., sataka 19, uddesaka 8, sutra 640. 58 Nyaya-vartika by Uddyotakara, p. 233 and its Tatparya-tika by Vacaspati Misra,
p. 271, line 7 from the bottom, etc. 63 Harnwell and Stephens, Atomic Physics, p. 4.
54 lbid.
www.jainel