________________
184
Microcosmology : Atom SECTION V ATOMIC THEORY AND
PARAMĀŅUVĀDA
HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF ATOMIC THEORY
In the West, Greek philosophy and science were together at the beginning of the 6th century B.C. with the first Milesian philosopher Thales. As we have seen, the idea of the smallest indivisible ultimate building blocks of matter came in connection with the elaboration of the concepts of being and becoming which characterised the first epoch of Greek philosophy. But atomic theory of matter was propounded much later by Democritus about 420 B.C. The Jain doctrine of paramānu is undoubtedly much more ancient than the Greek atomists. Bhagawān Pārsvanāth (B.C.877- 777) and Bhagavān Mahāvira (B.C. 599-527) propounded the paramāņu as the ultimate indivisible origin of matter and the Jain canons Viāhapannatti (Bhagavati Sūtra) and Thānanga Sūtra contain elaborate and detailed discussions on the nature, structure and behaviour of matter in general and paramāņu in particular. PARAMĀŅU IN JAIN PHYSICS
The limiting unit of the process of the division of aggregates is the 'paramānu' or the ultimate atom.
Since it cannot be further sub-divided, it is called paramānu (parama+aņu).
Since it occupies a single point of space, it is ‘unit.
Since it is the permanent and inalienable substratum of corporeal bodies; it is eternal.
Since it is the constitutive basis of physical objects, it is the generator of the entire physical universe.
Since it cannot by itself generate sound vibrations, it is nonsounding or silent. These are some of the characteristies of the ultimate atom?
1. Pañcā, Sār. verse 77.
