Scientific Vision of Lord Mahavira

Author(s): Chaitanyapragyashreeji
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

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The Model of the Universe in the Bh.S & Its Scientific Assessment
We are living in a universe without knowing much about its origin, vastness and complexities. But the curiosity to know about these attributes is irrepressible and disturbing the human mind since the beginning of the human-race. Philosophy, whether it is Eastern or Western, has been engaged to answer these querries but the mystery of the universe remains unsolved. Each system of philosophy accepts the change posed by the universe but interprets it in its own way. The querries raised about the universe or cosmos are in the nature of; Has the universe a beginning? Where did the universe originate? What would happen to it ultimately? Is there any order in the universe? What are the building blocks of the universe if any? Is the universe finite or infinite? And so on. The answers to these questions in some schools of thought have been given in mythological terms, in some mystical forms and in others in highly abstruse philosophical terms. As such they are beyond the understanding of the common man. Hence, it would be necessary to study these questions in the light of modern researches in the field of philosophy and science.
In this chapter, an attempt has been made to examine the theory of the universe according to the Jain philosophy in a scientific manner. The Jain philosophy also states that the universe is tremendously vast. What is amazing is that whatever facts have been presented in the scriptures are finding their parallels in the discoveries of modern physics. The principles stated about the universe in the Bh.S. are discussed here in the context of questions raised above.
According to Jain Physics, the Universe is very vast. From a geometrical point of view, it is very surprising. (see figure-1 in appendix). The geometrical shape and conditions of the cosmos are still the subject of scientific research. Discussed below are only a few important aspects related to the cosmos and beyond.