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Jain metaphysics describes a comparison of various infinities of souls, pudgal, and time and space i.e. :
Infinite space > Infinite time > infinite pudgal > infinite souls.
It explains the eternal character of the existence.
We find a speciality in Jain mathematics that the numerate and the innumerate have been placed together. In the Bhagavati-Sutra, a table has been given which formulates the units of time:
Samaya
Innumerate samaya
Numerate avalika One breath — respiration
Seven pranas
Smallest unit
one avalika one respiration
one prana one stoka
Forty eight minutes
one muhurta etc.
An outstanding fact revealed by this table is that a numerate avalika embrace innumerate samay. That is, even innumerate could be a part of the numerate. The modern physics describes Plank's time = 5.39 *10.One may compare with the ultimate unit 'Samaya'.
The number scale, as used in Jain texts, starting from numerate and ending at infinitum comprises all the constituents of modern mathematics, highlights of which are :
1. Use of arithmetical progression to build the number scale up to 84 lakhs. 2. Use of geometrical progression to continue counting beyond 84 lakhs. 3. Use of statistical quantities like maxima, minima, medium and average.
7. Manuscripts Historically, the process of intellectual creativity in India has been characterized by profound diversities in terms of areas, dimensions and depth of knowledge sought and explicated. The realm of knowledge in its historicity encompasses not merely metaphysical, philosophical and spiritual but also literary, linguistic, political, scientific, mathematical, and even aesthetic areas. It ought to be emphasized that a great deal of literature exists in the form of handwritten manuscripts, which has not been translated, studied and even properly preserved. This literature has been written in Sanskrit, Prakrit, Pali and different regional dialects. The neglect of study of the indigenous literature - both classical, semi-classical and folk has become useful for western scholars
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