Scientific Vision of Lord Mahavira

Author(s): Chaitanyapragyashreeji
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 55

The Model of the Universe in the Bh.S.
29
into a very small and dense volume. Experimental evidence shows that the universe is expanding and galaxies are running from one another and the farther away the galaxy the faster is its speed of receding. Yet the equations of the theory of relativity allow a shrinking universe as well.54
Thus, according to the Bh.S' description, the universe is having an end from the standpoint of substance and space. The universe is endless from the viewpoint of mode and time factor.
Configuration of the Universe
The universe does not only exist eternally but it also has a particular eternal shape. According to the Bh.s,ss the shape of the universe resembles the shape of a Supratisthaka, which is expanded at bottom, contracted at middle, and again vastly expanded at the top. A Suprutisthaka is a configuration made up of conjunction of three conical bowls with the shape of chopped of pyramids in the manner-one bowl placed convex wise (upside down) at the bottom, the second bowl placed concave wise (with the face upward) above it, and the third one placed convex wise again upon the second. The resultant configuration arising from the above-said adjustment is styled Supratisthaka (see figure-1).S6 Since the universe has three parts; viz. (1) horizontal (madhyaloka), [2] upper vertical (ürdhvaloka) and (3) lower vertical (adholoka)57 and each part is located in an order and the shape of the above mentioned bowls; the resultant figure would be same, i.e. Supratisthaka. Besides the configuration of the universe as a whole the text depicts particular shape of each section of the universe. Accordingly the shape of the lower section as like that of a lead of a vessel (Tappāgār santhie).58 The shape of the middle section is like that of a cymbal (Jhallariesanthie).59 The shape of the upper section is like that of a vertically placed drum (Uddhamuingakārasanthie).60
Generally, the cosmos is detected like a palm tree or a human standing with legs apart and palms resting on his waist (see figure-1), and is, therefore, known as "the cosmic person."61
Here, as we see in the figure-1, the universe has been depicted through the plane lines but according to Mahavir Raj Gelra, the figure should be of elliptical shape because that only can be scientifically stable for a longer time. This view supports the figure prescribed in the Bh.S.
So far as the configuration of transcosmos is concerned, it is stated to have a round shape with perforation in the center.62 (See figure-2]
Division of the Universe
It has already been indicated that the universe consists of three compartments—the upper (ürdhva) the lower (adhah) and the middle section (madhya), with measures evident from the figure-1. The Bh.S does not describe