Microcosmology Atom in Jain Philosophy and Modern Science

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 122

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Microcosmology : Atom Again the motion may be vibratory or migratory.
Vibrations are again of two types : (i) simple, and (ii) complex.
Two types of migratory motions are : (1) without changing direction i.e. in a straight line, and (ii) with change of direction.
In the Bhagavati Sūtra, a few instances of different kinds of motions are given thus: “Motion may be spontaneous or caused by outside forces. It is not eternal i.e. matter is sometime in motion and sometime at rest. It sometimes vibrates, and also rotates and so on upto the time when it changes its mode. By the word 'so on' here we understand that besides simple and complex vibrations, there are many other types of motion but what these are is a matter of research. We shall again deal with different kinds of vibrations later on in this chapter.
5. PUDGALA IS FISSIONABLE AND FUSIONABLE
(a) As stated before, the very name pudgala is derived by the virtue of the pudgala possessing the qualities of being fusionable and fissionable.2 Put (pūrana) means fusion and gal (galana) means fission. In other words, the processes of fusion and fission are inherent properties of the physical universe.
The process of fusion is called bandha i.e. integration. The process of fission is called bheda i.e. disintegration. The word 'process' (prakri yā) is used here to distinguish it from the dynamic activity of motion (kri yā). The infinite variety of the physical universe and colossal energy of pudgala is due to its being fissionable and fusionable.
The process of fusion results in the formation of physical objects. The number of paramāņus- ultimate atoms -combining together in a fusion process may vary from two to infinity. The objects formed by fusion of para mānus are called skandhas, i.e. aggregates or composite bodies.3 Two or more aggregates may
1. Bhag. Sūt., 2-3 2. Tat. Raj, 5/1 3. Ibid. 5/25/16