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The Jaina world of Non-living
three other colours will form the other end of the spectrum. Thus, the Jainian colour spectrum will have only three colours instead of seven of the physicists. It suggests that natural colours cannot represent the scientists spectrum. They cannot be as fundamental as the spectral colours. It is, however, a different matter which is a finer observation and nearer the truth.
However, despite differences between the Jaina concept and scientific details about these inherent attributes of mattergy, both agree to two facts- (i) there may be infinite number of attributable form (because of ranges of frequencies involved) and (ii) the four attributes are the inherent differentia of mattergic entities. 10. As told earlier, shape was also taken to be an inherent attribute of mattergy. The scriptures mention between 5-11 shapes in contrast with 32 shapes by the scientists. The details are presented here in terms of a comparative table :
Touch Taste Smell Colour Shape Jaina postulates
5 2 3+2 5-11 Vaiseșikas 3 6 2 7 Scientific
20 4 9 7+2 7.32 postulates
The V-system seems to fare a little better for details of taste and colour attributes. 11. It must be mentioned that the concept of colour in gross-bodies only requires some clarification as the semi-aphorism 5.23.5 does not define the word 'gross' (Sthula). It is observed that the scientifically presumed basic units of quark (which are finest particles known at present) and the atoms of chlorine etc. have been shown to have colours. These colours have been instrumentally verified. Hence, the grossness should not be limited to eye-perceptibility only. It could be extended to fine instruments too. In view of the theoretical indivisibility of Jainian atom, all the fundamental particles and atoms of the scientists have been termed as aggregates invisible to the human eye.
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