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322 : Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons
indirectly contactile rather than its complete negation. The letter 'a' has many meanings including partial aspect. This will make the Jaina description more in tune with current scientific theory. It is also surmisable that the points mentioned in Table 3 lead us that while the Nyāya school is right in :
(i) postulating the part played by rays and light in observing the objects.
(ii) and holding simultaneity of observations as an illusion, the Jainas are also right in :
(a) discarding the firy nature and rays from the eye concept of Nyāya school and
(b) introducing the capacity concept in cognitive senses.
However, the Jainas do not seem to be right in postulating the secondary nature of light rays in viewing the object and refuting the solar rays in night'. It seems that both the schools had no proper idea about the following phenomena associated with light :
( a ) Proper structure and functioning of the eye. . (b) Concept of least distance for distinct vision.
(c) Very high velocity of light. (d) Rectilinear propagation of light.
(e) Many other newer phenomena like refraction, diffraction, Photoelectric and Compton effects etc. and interchange of energies.
The Jainas have an undefined capacity concept involving many of these phenomena indirectly. Despite this, the deep intellect of Jainas led them to develop capacity concept of unique distinction through which they could have some contemporarily advanced observations as below :
(i) They could explain seeing objects through transparent mediums.
(ii) While refuting the firy nature of the eye, they have exemplified many qualities of gold, hot water, gems, ice, etc.
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