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Jaina Theory of Sound (Sabda)
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Thus the Jaina theory of sound makes a synthetlc view of the theories of sound of all other Indian systems of thought from the aspects of substantiality and modality
Jalna Theory of Sound
According to Jaina metaphysics, sound is conceived as the inanifesta tion of Matter This view is identical with that of the physical sciences on the theory of sound, as it is conceived by them as energy of Matter, le manifestation of it It"usually originates in vibrating bodies through the surrounding elastic medium, usually air, as wave motion of the longitudinal type When the compressional sound waves are passing through air, the amplitude of the vibratory motion of the layers or particles is surprisingly small, being only about 10-8 cm for a sound that is barely audiblc '10
Kinds of sound
According to Jaina philosophy, there are stated to be mainly two kinds of sound, viz bhäşatmaka (sound incorporated in speech or language) and abhaşatmaka (sound which does not find place 10 speech or language) 20 The former is sub-divided into two groups, Viz akşaratmaka (articulate utterence or speech and an anakşardimaka (sound made by creatures or by the Kevalins), while the latter is also of two groups, viz prayogha (sound produced by human beings through the play of musical instruments ie musical sound) and valsrasika (natural sounds, such as the roaring of thunder, the rippling of water, noises in general, etc ) 22 Prayogha sabda (artificial or produced sound) is further sub divided into four kinds, viz tata (musical aound of tabia or drum, 10 a stretched membrane), vitata (musical aound produced by stringed instruments), ghana (musical sound produced by solid 10struments, such as, bell) and suşira (sound prodaced by wind instruments, organ pipes or conch) 25
Modern acoustics divides sound into two classes, viz musical sounds and noises Prayogika sabdas (artificial or produced sounds) of Jauna metaphysics, viz tata, vitata, ghana and suşira, correspond to musical sounds of modern physics, while oausrasika sabdas (natural sounds), such as, roaring of thunder, etc include noises-sounds of modern acoustics Bhaşatmaka labda (sound incorporated in language or spoecb) forms a distinct class of sound by itself, but it may be placed under the category of nolses of modern acoustics The sub-divisions of musical sound into the vibrations of membra nes, atrings, rods and plates and alr columns of the physical sciences correspond respectively to the following kinds of sound of Jaine metaphysics, viz, tala, vitata, ghana and supera
