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: Śramana, Vol 58, No. 2-3/April-September 2007
5. Theory of Space
Space (Akāśa), according to Jainism is formless, all pervasive and self-supported. It provides shelters to all beings. It has two divisions.
a) World space (Lokākāśa) in which all beings reside, So there are mobility and immobility in it.
b)
Non-world space (Alokākāśa) in which nothing is found, neither mobility nor immobility.
6. Theory of Matter
The Jaina thinkers have named matter as Pudgala which has four characteristics-touch, taste, smell and colour. The Pudgala has been divided into two kinds - 1) Atom (Anu or Paramāņu) and 2) Molecule (Skandha)). Molecule is the combination of atoms. There are three methods through which atoms are formed into molecules.
a) Division - When the big molecule is divided, the small molecules are formed.
b) Association - The molecule is formed when atoms are associated.
c) Both Division and Union - The molecule is also formed by the combined process of division and union.
The association of atoms, which forms molecule takes place due to harshness (Rukṣatā) and smoothness (Snigdhata). But there must be difference of two quantities between harshness and smoothness, otherwise atoms cannot be associated.
7. Theory of Time
Time is known as 'Kala' which is eternal and formless. It acts as a helper in producing change in the world. The calculation of time according to Jainism may be known in following way.
a) Samaya - Te lowest unit of time
b) Innumerable samayas An āvalikā
c) 1,67,77,216 avalikās = One muhurta = 48 minutes d) 30 muhurtas = An ahorätra (A day and night) e) Ahoräträs make fortnights, months, years etc.
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