________________
A Critique
205
an infintesimally small wavelength. This aspect, then, compels us to postulate paramānu as energy of infinitesimally small wavelength.
On the other hand it is also necessary to postulate paramāņu, the ultii ate unit of pudgala to be an individual particle. The propertits attributed to para mānu compels us to visualize it as a particle, or a corpuscle rather than a wave. For instance, it has been stated that paramānu is sometimes at rest and sometimes in motion. What is the meaning of 'at rest here? Does it mean a stationary wave in space or a stationary particle? Thus paramānu has both the characters - that of a particle and a wave. In some context, it manifests itself as a particle, while in some other context as a wave. It has, therefore, a dual character, and there is no conflict between the two.
We have already discussed a number of paradoxical dualities pervading the physical universe. The basic aspect of these dualisms is the question -- "Is physical reality wave or is it particle ?" Light, for example, is classically regarded as electromagnetic-waves and the difference in various colours is explained by the difference in their wave-lengths; And electron, on the other hand, is commonly regarded as a particle with a -ve electric charge. While, certain poguliar effects of light could be explained only by assuming that it is composed of particles or grains of energy called photons, it has been proved by experiments that electrons actually do exhibit wave- characteristics. It has been established that not only electrons, but whole atoms and even molecules produce wave-patterns under certain conditions.
Another dualism of the physical order of existence is the concept of two forms matter and energy - the former inert, tangible and massive and the latter active, invisible and without inass. The two fundamental forces exerted by physical reality - gravitation and electromagnetismčare yet another aspect of the deep duality of physical universe. Almost all the phenomena of physical universe, are produced by these two primordial forces. While the gravitational forces dominate such phenomena of macrocosm as the
Ist
