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122 / JAIN STUDIES AND SCIENCE
CHALLENGES TO SCIENCE
The book has so far dealt with the aspects of Jain canon which have been truthfully tested on the anvil of science. Particularly, the intangible world of Sukshma (micro-) has found a strong alibi in the form of modern physics. Yet, science has not been able to surmount various frontiers which were conquered by the ancient Jain ascetics. Jain knowledge throws several such challenges to modern science. The incidences mentioned in Jain scriptures sound like any science-fiction, but then, there is a very thin line between the fact and fiction. May be the descriptions look like fantasies, yet coming from an authentic source, we have but one option to take a serious note of it.
1. Bhavitatma And its Extraordinary Powers
Bhavitatma is a typical Jain epithet which is employed for a 'super human bio' equipped with super natural powers including the capabilities of space travel and transformation of body shape into any desired form. They are often competent enough to acquire Avadhigyan by virtue of which they can know past, present and future. Bhavitatma, as the word suggests, is a soul whose resolve achieves great heights by practicing restraint, equanimity and penance. As a bio breaks the barriers of Knowledge Obscuring Karma, it reaches to the higher echelons of understanding. At this stage of awakening, bio may adopt to diverse directions -
i.
Sanvratatma - A bio that uses the knowledge for freedom from all passions and desires. It is a world-weary, dispassionate state of enlightenment
Bhavitatma - A bio that uses the acquired knowledge to gain worldly benefits. In such a state, it exhibits its might and power in various ways.
iii.
At present, these techniques have been lost in the oblivion of time, but their description in Bhagwatisutra is worth mentioning for the readers.
1.1. Bhavitatma and Morphology
In Jain belief, celestial deities have a bodily structure termed as Vaikriya, i.e. flexible and fluid body. Their bodies are like clouds which can be given any shape as per the desire of the soul possessing it. While celestial souls have this ability by virtue of their status as a deity, the worldly human souls can acquire
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