Jain Studies and Science

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

Page 45

NEW THOUGHTS / 41
Examples from Jain Literature
Term 'Pudgal is extensively used in the Jain literature to describe the constitution of matter. Today, scientists use similar terminology for quarks and other micro particles. They have assigned various basic properties to these particles like frequency, spin, etc. Identical references are available in Jain literature regarding the basic properties of a 'Pudgal, which are, Varna (colour), Gandha (smell), Ras (taste) and Sparsha (touch). The last quality of Pudgals, namely, the Sparsha has further classification consisting of four opposite pairs - Snigdha-Ruksha (Degrees of smoothness), Light-Heavy (measurement of weight), Shiet-Ushna (Degrees of temperature) and Mrudu-Karkash (readiness to interact). In any composition of matter, presence of these opposite pairs is essential. Entire Universe is based on the co-existence of opposites.
The law of opposites as propounded by Mahapragya has its roots in the Jain Agams. Sthanang, Nandi and Dashvekalik Sutras have the description of opposite couplets aplenty. Some of them are mentioned forthwith
1)Mentions of pairing opposites are abundant in the first and second
sections of Sthanang (Thagn) Sutras. Fourteen axioms are stated in the opening paragraph of the first chapter, out of these fifth to fourteenth are of special interest in the context of present discussions. These self sufficient truths are tabulated as follows5th - There is one LOK (Universe) 6th- There is one ALOK (Void) 7th - There is one Dharmastikaya gth. There is one (Dynon)
Adharmastikaya (Staton) 9th - There is one Band (Bondage) 10th- There is one Moksha
(Emancipation) 11th - There is one Punya
12th - There is one Pap (Sin) (Chastity) : 13th - There is one Ashrav
14th - There is one Samvar (Attraction)
(Repulsion) Mahapragya comments that these axioms actually form pairs. The universe is fully filled with opposing pairs, or we may say that it is because of opposing pairs that the universe exists.
2)The heading of first paragraph of second chapter of Sthanang (Thagn)
Sutra is 'Dvipadavtar' - meaning 'duo'. It says everything under the sun appears in pair. A few such examples are - Jiva-Ajiva, Trus-Sthavar, Dharma-Adharma, Vedna-Nirjara etc.