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Concept of Śūnya (Zero) in Jaina Canons : (125)
1. Śūnya (Zero) in Physical Sciences The physical sciences involved in the meanings of this term are- (i) Chemistry (ii) Physics and (iii) Food sciences. 1.1 Chemistry
(a) Meaning related with Aggregations: The Jainas have the concept of atoms, which form physical and chemical aggregations. There are some aggregations, which are formed by the group of atoms of the same kind while others are formed by heterogeneous atoms. The first category of aggregations is called Variform (Vargaņā). Variforms are twenty-three in numbers starting from groupings of ideal atoms and ending in the grossest aggregate of universe. The groupings could be in the multiples of numerable, innumerable and infinite atoms of the same class. Out of them, some are termed as Zero variforms. They are defined as aggregations of ideal atoms rather than real ones, which are non-receivable or non-bondable. In addition, they are also defined in terms of atomic groupings of less than infinite atoms. There are four such variforms out of twentythree. Dhavalā mentions that these zero variforms are not counted as mattergy as they are said to be non-existent. The value of zero in these aggregations has also an undefined character. Thus, here the meaning of zero is non-receivable or fine.
(b) Meaning related with Observable Physical Phenomena: The earliest use of the word " Śūnya" is in the sense of many visible phenomena. The terms like "Sūnyāgāra" mean a house devoid of inhabitants. This devoidance is visible. The ascetics were supposed to live in such houses for their proper meditation and austerities. The word " Śünya " also means a place devoid of air or vacuum. Sky has been one of the meanings of this term as it was supposed to be nonmaterial devoid of any content. It is due to this that it was denoted by "Kha" (Sky or Space). The concept of zero as a number is not involved in these cases." 1.2 Physics (a) Meaning related with Time: The word "Sūnyakāla" (zero time, zero period) has a meaning of specific time during which no living beings are there in a specific region or destinity. Here, the meaning of the term involves negation with respect to time. One is quite familiar with zero periods in colleges where zero means "prior
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