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JAIN JOURNAL: Vol-XXXIV, No. 2 October 1999
type of forces. But in Jaina terminology, two separate words 'dharma' and 'adharma' signify stimulatory and inhibitory force, respectively. In this context, dharma and adharma do not signify religion and antireligion.
This sutra further shows that the Jaina philosophers recognized a fundamental difference between matter and force. Matter is discrete, i.e. consists of a finite number of atoms, while, in contrast, force, like space, has an infinite number of points. In modern terminology, these two are a discrete and continuous manifold, respectively.
3. anusreni-gatiḥ (Sūtra II, 27, Jacobi, p. 19)
i.e. every motion is rectilinear.
In this regard, Jacobi's comment is :
sie geht von einem Punkte Zu den benachbarten in einer Reihe liegenden
i.e., motion continues from one point to the neighbouring point in a series. (This also refers to the spiritual world, but here we are concerned only with physical aspect.)
Explantory comments:
According to Newton's first law of motion, a body continues in the state of rectilinear motion unless it is deviated by an externally applied force. In Jaina philosopy also, we find a similar concept, namely, motion is rectilinear (unless other forces are acting, as seen below).
4. gatisthityupagraho dharmādharmayor upakāraḥ (Sūtra V, 17, Jacobi, p. 41)
i.e. excitatory and inhibitory forces are defined as conditions of motion and rest.
Explanatory comments:
Newton's law of inertia implies that there are two types of inertia in the properties of matter: 'inertia of motion' and 'inertia of rest'. 'Inertia of motion' means that a moving body will always be in the state of motion unless it is inhibited by any other external force, while 'inertia of rest' means that a body at rest will be always at rest unless it is excited to move by any external force. This reveals that the above two kinds of force are responsible for the state of motion and rest of a body. In Jaina philosophy too, we find the above concept of force (dharma and adharma) being the conditions of motion and rest.
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