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118/JAIN STUDIES AND SCIENCE
ATOMIC MOTION
Dwelling further into the descriptions of speed and motion available in Jain literature, Mahapragya has cited two very interesting mentions of fastest and slowest speeds of atomic motion – i. Matter or atom when travels at the slowest speed can move from
one space co-ordinate to another adjacent to it in one 'time'. (Readers must recall that one time' is the smallest unit of time described in Jain literature). Contrarily, if it travels fastest, atom can travel from one end to another end of the universe in one 'time'. Two ends of the lok are 14 Rajju apart which is equivalent to infinite yojanas.
ii.
There are several instances in the Jain literature which can be explained only if the fastest speed possible is understood in further depth. According to the science, the fastest speed is that of a light ray which is finite and is equal to 3x108 m/sec. With this finite speed it is not possible to travel the entire universe in one time'. So, it is fascinating to explore what Jain thinkers wanted to propose by allowing near infinite speeds under peculiar circumstances? Mahapragya has dug deep into the ancient treatises and has explained it in a very logical manner. He states two kinds of possible motion -
1. Sprashad Gati (Frictional Motion): Motion conducted by macro
(sthul particles. As the name suggests, particle under motion remains in physical touch with the surroundings. During the motion, it affects and gets affected by the environs. This is an ordinary motion relative to space and time. Here, the speed is ratio of distance travelled in the space and time consumed during the process. In this movement, the time is measured as samay, the smallest unit of time. Asprashad Gati (Non-frictional Motion): An extra-ordinary motion which is possible in micro matter (Sukshma) only. Travelling matter remains isolated from the surroundings such that it neither disturbs nor gets disturbed. This motion transcends space-time. Under this motion, the speed is assumed to be infinite which means that any distance can be covered in 'zero' time. In this movement,
the time reduces to a moment. Speed Space (Distance), OR, Time = Distance , So if Speed = 0, Time
Speed then, Time=0
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