Scientific Secrets of Jainism

Author(s): Nandighoshvijay
Publisher: Research Institute of Scientific Secrets from Indian Oriental Scriptures Ahmedabad

Page 161

130
Scientific Secrets of Jainism
miles but did not reach the end of the snow-carpet.
The circumference of the earth at the degree of latitude of the place where the snow-carpet was found is only 10,700 miles. If the earth is round, they would have come to the place four times. But instead of that, they had to come back and they took two and half years to come back. This fact also proves that the earth is not round.
5. The distance between two longitudes changes with the latitude. As we go northward or southward from equator, the distance between two longitudes decreases. The distance between two longitudes in the north at 23.5 latitudes is 40 miles. If the earth were round like a ball, the distance between two longitudes at 23.5 latitudes even in the south would be 40 miles, that distance is found to be 25 miles, and south below, the distance increases instead of decreasing and at some place the distance is found to be of 103 miles. If this is so, how can the principle that the earth is round like a ball, stand?
6. According to the scientific belief the earth moves round the Sun with its axis bent at 23.5°. Its north pole is, therefore, always infront of the pole star. The pole star appears in the middle of the sky over the head of man on the north pole and man on the equator see the pole star on the horizon. The pole star can never be seen to the south of the equator. But Captain Mill saw the pole star to 30° latitude in the south. What can be the reason for it?
7. The longest day on Shetland island on 70° latitude in southern hemisphere is only of 16 hours and 53 minutes. But the longest day in Norway on 70° latitude in the north is of three months. If the earth is round like a ball, how can this happen??
All these evidences only prove that the earth is not round like a ball. But what is the shape of the present day earth? It cannot be known. In order to prove that the earth is not round, the arguments of scientists have been refuted. Similarly, in order to prove that the earth does not move or rotate Rev. Śri Abhayasāgaraji and other researchers also have adopted negative approach. They should adopt a constructive approach, strengthen the faith of people and make experiments according to the principles shown in Jain scriptures. As long as we do not give practical proofs, nobody will accept what we say.