________________
130
Microcosmology : Atom
5. Maximum period of inactivity (rest) is asamkh yāta samaya. Maximum period of activity is asaṁkh yātāṁśa of fraction of an āvalikā!
On the other hand, the principle of uncertainty governs the following:
1. It is uncertain, after what interval of time will a paramānu at rest will become dynamic (release energy). This time-interval may be from one samaya upto innumerable sama yas. However, after an interval of innumerable samayas, it will become active for sure.
2. Similarly, it is uncertain, upto what duration of time will a dynamic paramānu continue to be active. It (the duration) could be from one samaya to an asamkhyātāṁsa (innumerableth) portion of an avalikā. But it will surely cease to be active after this maximum interval.
3. It is uncertain, which direction will a paramānu take at the commencement of motion. It can move in any possible direction.
4. It is uncertain, what type of dynamic activity will be commenced by an inactive paramānu. It may just vibrate or rotate or migrate or do all these things simultaneously.
5. It is uncertain, again what will be the intensity of a paramānu's dynamic activity: what will be its velocity - minimum or maximum or intermediate ?
RESTRICTED AND NON-RESTRICTED MOTION OF PARAMĀŅU (PRATIGHĀTI AND APRATIGHĀTI)
Paramānu is generally apratighāti i.e. it cannot be stopped, retained or hindered by anything (except under the condition mentioned hereinafter). At the same time, it does not cause hindrance to others. This means that:
(1) The motion and activity of paramānu cannot be stopped or restrained by another material body or jīva. A paramānu in motion is capable of penetrating and passing through any type of obstruction in its way.
1. See, glossary
