Jain Studies and Science

Author(s): Mahaveer Raj Gelada
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

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18/JAIN STUDIES AND SCIENCE
workers and scientists in this direction. His endeavours to achieve the confluence of thought and experiment have given a new awakening to our era.
This ideology of the writings of Acharya Mahapragya has inspired Prof. Mahavir Raj Gelra to compile this literature - Jain Study and Science: Context: Acharya Mahapragya's literature'. Presenting the background he says, ".... the writing of Acharya Mahapragya has been authoritative in Jain Philosophy, science and psychology. The rich abundance of his writings has all the possibility to take the shape of a complete book for the benefit of the readers. I thus planned to mould the scattered jewels of Mahapragya's literature into an exquisite ornament.”
Prof. Mahavir Raj Gelra, a scientist by profession, has dwelled deep into the secrets of philosophy with his scientific background. Because of his distinctive oratory style, he is able to convey his ideas to the audiences in a very organised and authentic manner. As a result, audiences' interest and curiosity are aroused.
Prof. Mahavir Raj Gelra has compiled this literature in the light of Acharya Mahapragya's literature. In a paragraph of Epilogue entitled - "Coordination of Science and spiritualism" he has presented various subjects of Mahapragya's literature before the readers. Prof. Gelra has not only compiled the thoughts of Acharya Mahapragya but has appropriately blended the modern scientific concepts also. Some of its examples are given below which vindicate the depth of his scientific knowledge -
In the discussions of motion and velocity, the mention of mutual relation between mass and energy as given by Einstein in equation E=mc2, attracts the students of science towards the study of philosophy. Agreeing with the interpretation of Mahapragya on the resonance of Karma, the writer puts it as, "the probable reason for connecting the breathing and determination with the Karma is because of their similar physical nature as they all are made up of fine matter. It is important to note that fine matter interacts with the other fine matters easily." Mahapragya has maintained all along in his literature that the unique concept of Keval Gyan is a realistic scientific possibility. Dr. Gelra has further strengthened it by applying the fundamentals of mathematics. His use of mathematical entities of zero and infinity is truly path breaking. “In mathematical equations, when one parameter assumes infinite value, the
ther associated with it automatically becomes zero and vice-versa. A KevalGyani has an infinite speed of perception, therefore the time required to travel becomes zero irrespective of the distance involved. Thereby, shrinking all the three dimensions of time - the past, the present and the future-into one entity of moment." Chapters on Direction, Time, and Universe etc., too contain the sparkles of his scientific temperament, which is highly commendable.
The learned author's work is mainly a compilation; he has placed forward his genuine and spontaneous thoughts within the realm of established scientific