Jain Journal 1990 10

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

Page 22

OCTOBER, 1990
of aggregation of elements, molecules, compounds or mixtures. This Jain term is, therefore, more general than the term molecule of the scientists. These molecules have the capacity, however, to get dissociated into its constituents.
Classification of Skandhas
The skandhas are innumerable. The scholars felt the need of classifying them for their proper studies. They have been classified in many ways. The first classification consists of their two varieties--gross and fine, sense perceptible or otherwise. This is based on commonsense view. The other classifications are based on that of matter as such and summarised in Table 1. They are not illustrated except in the fourth one where the criteria of eye-perceptibility has produced a discrepancy in current terms pointed out by myselfil and A.K, Jain.12 There is one more point regarding the illustrative meaning of the sixth category of fine-fine class. Kundakunda illustrates it with finer particles than karmic aggregates. Javeri supports it by saying that action particles are made up of innumerable number of ideal atoms. He means that even this type of aggregate will be finer than the fifth category. This may include dyads, triads etc. However, G.R. Jain13 illustrates it by the current atomic constituents like neutrons etc. However, because of aggregate, it will be skandha or molecule in Jainological terms. This will be approximately 10-18 cm, in size according to Yativrsabha-a size representing the current nuclear size.14 This suggests that Jain's illustration should be taken meaningful. This, however, creates another problem in explaining the various properties of canonical atoms to be discussed separately. Jain and Sikdar15 have made a basic mistake in assuming the sixth category as atomic despite the “khandha hu chappayara" statement of Kundakunda. This should be rectified and the resultant discussion be modified accordingly.
11 Jain, N. L., Amar Bharati, 1985.
Jain, A. K., Tulasi Prajna, Ladnun, 12, 4, 1987, p. 40. Jain, G. R., Cosmology, Old and New, Bharatiya Gyanpith, Delhi, 1975, p. 65.
Yativrsabha Acarya, Tilloyapannatti, Jivraj Granthamala, Sholapur, 1955, p. 13. 15 Sikdar, J. C., Concept of Matter in Jain Philosophy, PVRI, Varanasi, 1987.