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Jaina Theory of Atoms : 227
Equivalence of Anu or Paramāņu with Atom
Nearly all realistic systems presume atoms as the basic unit of matter. However, it is only in early Vaiseṣika and Jaina literature that this has been postulated to a credible extent. They have been led to it from the four types of gross bases which were supposed to be pre-mordial substances. However, the nature of atoms varies in each system. Before we describe them, it will be pertinent to establish the equivalent meaning of the word aņu or paramāņu.
Despite the fact that the scientific world has accepted the divisibility of atoms into large number of constituents on the basis of early twentieth century discoveries, the Indian atomists, specially the Jainas have been unable to agree to this fact1. Many Jaina scholars have, therefore, tried to suggest the various equivalents for the canonical 'anu' or 'paramāņu'. Their main point in this regard has been the concept of indivisibility together with the size of real atoms which has been shown to be approximately 10-13 cm.11 The validity of these facts has been associated with the view of absolute knowing capacity of the Jaina seers ( omniscients). Barring super-humanistic elements, the canons are found to have many flaws accepted by Vaiseṣikas and Jainas too flouting their authenticity on the basis of non-contrariety and consistency. The traditionalists, however, would not agree to flaws in the canons. Hence, they would consider the canonical atom as equivalent to some smaller but indivisible constituent of current atom. Prof Jaina12 equated them formerly to ionised atoms, stripped atoms and then to electrons, positrons etc. and now to a new particle quark (3 Q = 1 proton). Javeri13 has gone further to equate it to mere energy. The Jainācāryas have, however, shown some genious to solve their own problem by assuming two types of atoms fine or ideal atoms to be innumerableth times finer than the real ones14. They have also postulated two types of real atoms- one supposed to be without mass (aguru-laghu) and the other with mass (4-touch and 8-touch atoms )15.
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