Book Title: Nandanvana
Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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Page 197
________________ Properties of Matter in Jaina Canons: (177) eight tactile qualities. The first type does have no weight property while the other has it. This only means that one of these (the first one) should be energy while the other should be matter of the present. It can be surmised that inter-conversion of these types must be occurring in nature especially the energy into matter. The modern scientists are trying to explain the process. Anyhow, whether it is energy or matter, both must have shape or visibility and, thus, weight also howsoever small it maybe. According to Muniji, this point has a capability of solving many intricate problems arising out of various theories of Universe. The other common properties not indicated in the scientific definition of matter are very important as they have a clear concept of law of conservation of mass and energy and kinetic state of basic unit. This point has been elaborated elsewhere. 14 The modern scientific world of East and West is still unaware of these canonical contents and history of Chemistry books have no mention about them as yet. An effort should be made to let these facts be known through proper means. In addition to this, it must be added that the scientific definition of matter must be made more illustrative of the general nature of matter. As to date, it seems to be quite incomplete. Special Attributes of Matter As pointed out, there are six basic specifics of matter mentioned in scriptures. All are sense-perceptible. Each of the five of these six has been sub-classified as below with a mention of innumerable varieties of each class: 1. Touch of tactile 8. Hot-cold, smooth-non-smooth, light-heavy, qualities hard-soft 2. Sour, sweet, astringent, bitter, and acidic Smell 2 Good and bad Colour Black, blue, yellow, white and red Shape Circular, triangular, point space, hexagonal, symmetrical, unsymmetrical, upper and lower part symmetrical, dwarf, hunchbacked It has been stated earlier that the tactile qualities refer to temperature, tactile or electrical nature, density and hardness. Jain" has referred the attributes of smoothness and non-smoothness as Taste Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only www.jainelibrary.org

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