Scientific Vision of Lord Mahavira

Author(s): Chaitanyapragyashreeji
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 91

Space and Time in the Bh.S
65
The Utility of the Analogical Time Periods
The Bh.S explains that the similies of innumerable time based on pits and occans are used to calculate the periods of ascending and descending cycles in cosmic time, the duration of knowledge-covering and other types of karmic bondage, and the lengths of repeated births of different living beings in similar body.109 The total number of islands and oceans in the middle region is calculated as equal to 2.5 times the number of time units in the subtle transfer ocean-measured year.
Two types of Time
In Digamber tradition, time is distinguished from two standpointsconventional (vyavahära) and real (parmărthu). 10 The conventional is the time which helps to determine changes in a substance and which is known from modifications produced in it, while i.e. real time is considered from continuity. It is the change of an object which takes place every moment and therefore it is not considered different from the living and non-living entities, according to Shvetambar tradition. But Digambar tradition explains it differently and therefore regards it as an independent reality. Accordingly, it is time element due to which change in an object takes place.
The Digambara tradition holds that the real time consists of innumerable units of time technically known as kalāņu i.e. atom of time that never mix up with one another.111 The universe is full of these units of time. No spacepoint of the universe is devoid of it. Each space-unit contains a unit of time in it. The units of time are indivisible, innumerable and without form. It is remarked: Those innumerable substances which exist one by one in each space-point of universe, like heaps of jewels, are units of time. Hence, time is not one substance but innumerable substances. All are eternal and indivisible.
Really speaking, time is nothing but the auxiliary cause of change. This change is understood in relation to continuity. Without continuity change cannot be understood at all. If there is no continuity, what changes? Hence, continuity is the ground of change. From ordinary point of view time is understood in seconds, minutes, hours etc. by which we call a thing to be new or old according to changes produced in the same. Time in Indian Systems
The term käla has been mentioned at many places in the Vedas and Upanisadas. But the clear idea or the exact meaning of kāla is not found in these references.
Kanada, in the Vaisheshika philosophy, 112 has presented four aphorisms for describing the principle of time (kāla). He states that time is a substance; it is eternal and the ground of all activities. Before, after, simultaneity, order, late and soon etc. are the characteristic qualities of time according to the