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48 JAIN PIILOSOPHY & MODERN SCIENCE phers. Paramanu's the ultimate particle of matter is indisivisble, inseparable, impenetrable, incombustible and imperceptible. That is, it cannot be spit by any means or instruments, whatsoever. Even the greatest electrical force cannot split it; the sharpest weapon cannot divide it in two; it can rest on the sharpest edge of a sharp weapon, a Paramanu resting on the edge of a sword or a razor, cannot be divided; it will not be burnt by the hottest centre of fire; it will not become wet, even if it enters the "pushkaravarta mahamegha" (the cloud, which can bring deluge on the earth by incessant rains); it will not be destroyed, even if it enters the speedily moving opposite current of the Ganges or Niagara falls; it will not lose its existence or identity even if it enters a drop of water or a whirl-pool of water.16 Again 'Parmanu' has no half-portion; it has no middle portion; it has no pradeshas. It has no length, no breadth, no depth. It is dimensionless." It always exists as "a unit" 16 "On account of its minuteness, the beginning, the middle and the end of of it are identical with the whole of itself. Hence, the scholars have observed •17 "That, of which the begin. ning, the middle and the end are the same i.e. which itself is middle and itself is the end, that which is not perceptible by senses, and that which is indivisible,
14 Bhagwati Shataka 5, U 7 15 Bhagwati Shataka 5, U 7 16. Rajvartika -5|2511 17 Sai varthasıddhi Tika Sutra 25.
