Book Title: Microcosmology Atom in Jain Philosophy and Modern Science
Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
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A Critique
187
negatively charged particles equals the total positive charge. The simplest and lightest atom is that of hydrogen. It is composed of a single proton as the nucleus and a single electron orbitting round it. Its diameter is 10-8 centimeter and mass 1.64x10-23 grammes. The distance between the nucleus and the rotating electron is such that the atomic diameter is 1,00,000 times greater than the diameter of the nucleus. In the atom of uranium, which is the heaviest natural element, there are as many as 92 protons and 146 neutrons in the nucleus and 92 electrons rotate round it in different orbits.
Later on, theoretical physicists branched into two schools. One of them continued their search for the elementary building blocks, as they were not satisfied that subatomic particles such as protons, neutrons, etc. were indivisible, while the other one abandoned their search. Although no one has so far found the particles which composed the protons, theoretically it has been established that the protons are composed of 'quarks'. The hunt for quarks is going on. But, whether they do actually exist or not, one thing is already certain, viz., a new area of research 'what are quarks made of has emerged.
PARAMAŅU: INDIVISIBLE UNIT OF PUDGALA
Two types of Paramāņu
In Anuyogadvāra Sutra, two types of paramāņu are postulated:
(1) Sūkṣma (transcendental/absolute)
(ii) Vyāvahārika (empirical).
The sukṣma paramāņu has been described above in section V of chapter II (pp. 120-132). It is absolutely indivisible.
Vyāvahārika paramāņu, on the other hand, is composed of infinite sukṣma paramāņus. Even though it is a composite body, it is too subtle to be cognized singly. It can only be cognized through
1. Anuyogadvara: Pramanadvara
"Paramāņu duvihā pannate, tanjaha suhumeya, vavahariyeṇa;
anantānam suhuma para maṇupoggalanum samudaya-samitisamāgameņam vavaharie paramanu-poggale nipphajjanti."
