Microcosmology Atom in Jain Philosophy and Modern Science

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 97

Atom in Jain Philosophy
79 psychical antecedents. If this is not admitted, ethical value will remain unintelligible.
(5) PUDGALĀSTIKĀYA-PHYSICAL EXISTENCE
(MATTER & ENERGY)
Matter and energy of modern science are called pudgala by Jains. The use of this word is almost exclusive to the Jain literature. It is a derivative made up of two words: pud meaning combining or fusion and gala meaning dissociation or fission. The properties of fusion and fission which characterize all matter are also responsible for the name pudgala given to this subtance. They are also responsible for giving it an atomic constitution.
The characteristic attribute of pudgala is that it possesses the properties which can be perceived by sense-organs viz colour, smell, taste and touch.2 Concomitance of all the four is emphasized by the Jains. In other words, if a thing is perceived by the sense of touch, it must also necessarily possess smell, taste and colour. The atomic structure of pudgala is, as its name implies, absent in the other astikā yas. Whereas the other four astikā yas are indivisible i.e. not disintegrable, pudgala is divisible. The ultimate indivisible unit of pudgala is called paramāņu or ultimate primary atom. This atomic structure of the physical universe is the most interesting part of the Jain physics. The paramāņu can neither be created nor can it be destroyed. It is eternal. Although it possesses sense-qualities, it cannot be an object of sense-perception. It is the subtlemost physical entity. By itself it transcends the sense experience, though it is basic constituent of all perceivable objects. We shall deal with this primordial physical existence, at length, in the section five of this chapter.
(6) KĀLA - TIME
Time is not included in the list of astikā yas but is included in the list of six dravyas.
Time possesses the characteristic of 'persistencethrough-change and is, therefore, a dravya. It is the necessary
1. Tat. Ráj., p. 190 2. Tat. Sūt. 5/23.