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Atom in Jain Philosophy
129
Thus, more than one type of motion could be simultaneous. Temporally, all these motions may be regular or irregular.
Paramānu may be self-activated i.e. may undergo self-interaction without any external influence. It may also be acted upon by other para māņu (s) or composite bodies. (It may be recalled that jīva can never influence the activity of a single paramāņu.)
At what speed does a paramānu move? At what frequency does it vibrate or if it revolves, at what rate? It is clearly mentioned in the Bhagavati Sūtra that a paramāņu can move from one end of the loka to the other in one time-point? This is the maximum velocity of a paramānu. Its minimum velocity is one time-point for its linear motion from one space-point to the adjacent one.
hether it moves to an adjacent space-point or crosses the
a from one end to the other, if the time taken is a sama ya, the motion will be in anuśreni i.e. straight and without changing the direction. If there is a turning, the time will be more than one samaya. Turning is always due to external forces.
Laws of Motion and Principle of Uncertainty
From the above it is clear that in some respect kriya and gati of paramāņu follow definite rules, while in other respects they follow the principle of uncertainty. We can summarise the definite rules as under:
1. Unless acted upon by external forces paramāņu moves in a straight line (anuśrenīgati).
2. When acted upon by external forces paramāņu may change direction and speed.
3. Jīva has no direct influence on the motion of paramānu.
4. Minimum and maximum distances travelled paramānu in one sama ya are, space between two adjacent points and the entire length of the loka respectively.
1. Bhag. Sūt. 16/8/116. 2. Tat., Rāj, "Paramānorgati aniyatā"
