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148/JAIN STUDIES AND SCIENCE
Mahapragya concedes that this difference, though vital, still establishes that in Jain arithmetic the increment in number is obtained by the mathematical operation of squaring and that the counting does not start from the digit 'one'. In both the traditions, the Shvetamber and the Digamber, 'Samkhyati iti samkhya' - that which could be divided, is a number. From this point of view, the minimum number starts with 'two'.
Now, let us dwell on the basic question, why the powers of eighty-four lacs were employed in counting of large numbers? Here could be three probable reasons for this -
In Jain theory, there are eighty-four lacs possible originations or classes (yoyni) of bios (living beings). The bios transmigrate again and again within these classes during the cycles of births and rebirths, till it does not become free from the bondage of Karma. Perhaps this limit had rendered the counting beyond this number as redundant.
(ii)
In view of the digits, the number 84 has the specialty that on multiplying it again and again, the resulting numbers are such that the sum of their individual digits is always nine (9). As such the number 9 is regarded as divine and holy. For example. if we square the number 84, we get;
1)
84x84 7056;
The sum of the digits of the above number is (7+0+5+6)= 18; (1+8)= 9
Similarly,
2)
=
84x84x84 592704;
The sum of the digits of the above number is (5+9+2+7+0+4)=27; (2+7)=9
Similarly,
3)
84x84x84x84=49787136; (4+9+7+8+7+1+3+6)=45; (4+5)=9
This pattern continues up to the 'shirshprahalika' and beyond. This is just indicative possibility; no such explanation is available in Jain Agam literature.
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(iii) In view of the author, the most probable reason could be that the mathematics in that era was more practical than theoretical. For very practical reason of reducing the numerical terms between the figure of 84lacs till the shirshprahelika and extending up to innumerate, the mathematicians of that ancient period decided to
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