Scientific Vision of Lord Mahavira

Author(s): Chaitanyapragyashreeji
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 53

The Model of the Universe in the Bh.S.
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innumerable Yojanas in circumference. Ultimately it has an end. According to modern science the diameter of the universe is 35 billion light years. As regards time, the universe was never non-existent, nor shall it ever be nonexistent-it was, it is and it will be eternal, fixed, perennial, indestructible, ever present, persistent, without end. As modes, the world has infinite modes of colour, smell, taste, touch, configuration, heaviness, lightness and neither heavy nor light. In this sense, the universe is without end."
"Thus, O Skandaka! As substance the universe has end, as space it has end, as time the universe has no end and as mode it has no end."
Acharya Mahapragya" has elaborately discussed the concept of mode in his commentary on the Bh.S. Etymologically, the word 'loka' (universe) means what is perceptible.42 The universe in terms of modes is described through the modes of colour, smell etc. Mode is expressed as paryāya, Paryāva, višeșu, dharma, bheda and bhāva.43 Mode is of two kinds: intrinsic (svabhāva) and extrinsic (vibhāva). Among the six fundamental elements, soul and matter have both types of modes, but other substances have only intrinsic modes. 44 Colour, smell, taste and touch these are intrinsic modes of matter. Unity, separation, number, configuration, conjunction and disjunction are the extrinsic modes of matter. Similarly, knowledge, intuition, bliss and energy are the intrinsic modes of the soul and to be endowed with different bodies and senses are extrinsic modes of it. Both the modes are changeable and undergo infinite grades, e.g. there are infinite grades of colour property of an atom and a cluster. Similarly, there are infinite grades of smell, touch, taste and number etc. Knowledge also undergoes infinite modes. Consequently, we find several kinds of knowledge in one as well as in different beings. These grades may be in the form of higher to lower and lower to higher degree c.g. one atom which is of one degree black colour may change into two to infinite degree of blackness and vice-versa. The same applies with other properties. The heavy-cum-light mode is common to both-matter and soul associated with the matter. The mode neither heavy nor light is a specific quality or potency. Due to it, animate does not become inanimate, and vice-versa. It is on account of this potency that the qualities of the real undergo six fold increase and decrease without loosing their identity.45 This potency is not the subject of speech as it is momentary 46 and acceptable on the authority of the scripture.47 The mode called neither heavy nor light has been designated as an intrinsic mode of an entity technically known as an arthaparyāya. Neither heavy nor light means weightless. Neither heavy nor light is also a type of body-karma (näma. kurma) which is also weightless but that is not intended here.
The beginningless intrinsic potency called 'neither heavy nor light' exists in every substance. It is not discussed here. In the context of universe it is mentioned here only in the sense of mode that is different from it. Actually, it is determining potency of weightless objects and also the determiner of the mode known as heavy-cum-light. This potency of neither heavy nor light