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Scientific Vision of Lord Mahāvīra
is available even in an atom, in a subtle material cluster and in a formless substance also.48 In a mundane soul there are both the modes. Heavy-cumlight is due to the bodies being gross technically known as Audūrikaśarīra. And the mode called neither heavy nor light exists in the karmic body and also in the soul.49 The emancipated souls are without body and so they posses only the mode--neither heavy nor light. It means there are things or objects in the universe, which are having no weight at all. Now, this view is getting support from scientific discovery. In modern science, it has been discovered that there are some particles which have no mass and therefore no weight. 50
In reference to bhāvaloka i.e. the universe of mode, we can understand easily the view of Modern Science about the universe. According to Modern Science, the universe is gradually running down in the material sense of the word, known as the entropy that is tending towards the maximum. Mexwell has proved this mathematically from the second law of thermodynamics. In nature, heat is constantly flowing without interruption from a body at a higher temperature to a body at a lower temperature and vice-versa. Thus, there is a tendency towards equalization of temperature and pressure all over the universe.si
The sum total of energy in the universe will be the same as before but it will not be functional. No motion of any kind will be possible. The whole universe together with its entire inmate will come to a standstill. Living beings will neither be able to move nor to breathe. Life of all forms will be extinct. What is next? is a glaring question before the scientists. They believe that the universe cannot end. They think, some unknown force must rewind the clock of the universe, so that it may be set running once again. According to predominant schools of Indian philosophy, God does the rewinding, whereas according to the Jain philosophy the process is automatic. To denote this fact the word mentioned in the Bh.S is 'niyae' 52 It means the universe is fixed, uniform and determined by natural laws. The gradual decline of the universe is taking place only at the level of modes and not at the existential level. The fundamental elements never cease to exist. The Bh. S uses certain words to show that the sum total of energy in the universe remains the same as before. The word 'Akkhae' is used to prove the universe indestructible. In the same way the word 'Avvae' shows that the universe is imperishable, no part of it ever perishes. The word 'Avatthie' speaks of its forever presence, free from decrease and increase. The word nicce represents the persistence of the universe. It always exists because of persistence and the word 'Susae' indicates that the universe is perennial, always existent. It only moves from the state of evolution to that of devoluation and vice-versa. This process goes on forever in a cyclic order.
The recent scientific theories also show the process of expanding and shrinking universe in a cyclic way. According to Prof. L.C. Jainthe debate about the open or closed universe is unending. Any theory dealing with the evolution of universe holds that it was possibly once compressed
