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In recent years, the scientists are trying to explain the processes of life, ie, growth and reproduction in terms of special properties of various kinds of proteins and the two nucleic acids-DNA and RNA Although the artificial synthesis of a biologically active living cell, which automatically grows by multiplication has been reported, it has not been possible so far to correlate the proteins, DNA and RNA with functions of memory, thought, reason, logic, intuition and free will In other words, consciousness could not be explained on the basis of physics and chemistry and hence the existence of soul remains unchallenged Its existence and transmigration has been amply corroborated by the recent researches in para psychology
(3) Aziva or Matter and Energy of Pudgala - Ajiva is the second principal constituent of the physical universe The use of the word Pudgala for matter and energy is quite peculiar to Jain philosphy This word has been coined from two words-Pud means to combine and Gala means to dissociate Hence the root meaning of the word Pudgala is a substance which undergoes modifications by combination and dissociation One who is familiar with modern developments in atomic physics cannot but admire the choice of this word for denoting matter and energy We now know ful-well that all atoms are assembly of protons, neutrons and electrons In the phenomenon of radioactivity, atoms are seen disintegrating themselves on their own accord into others For instance, an atom of Uranium after undergoing various modifications is ultimately converted into the metal lead In the phenomenon of artificial radioactivity, the bombardment by alpha particles, protons or neutrons brings about such transformations as the conversions of aluminium or sulphur atoms into those of phosphorous By bombarding a nitrogen nucleus by with alpha particles, it is converted into oxygen Similarly, by bombarding a berilium atom with alpha particles, it is converted into carbon atoms Such examples can be multiplied
The chief characteristic of the substance-Pudgala is that it is the subject of sense perception, it has a form in contrast with other five constituents of the universe which are without form The physical properties of hardness, density, temperature and either positive or negative charge are associated with it It has one of the five colors depending on the temperature
This matter is divided into six subclasses solids, liquids, gases, energy, fine karmic matter and extrafine matter consisting of the streams of the ultimate particles of matter Until the beginning of this century, the classical physics of Newton and Galeleo regarded energy as perfectly weightless and without any association with matter It was the genius of Einstein who definitely proved that every form of energy has mass and that there is no difference between matter and energy but that of the form According to him, one gram of any kind of matter when fully changed into energy is equivalent to the quantity of heat which would be produced by burning 3000 tons of best variety of coal It is really wonderful to note that this truth of particulate nature of energy was already discovered several centuries
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