Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 384

Sec. III]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
359
359
Other Natural Sciences-Physics and Chemistry
It is learnt from the BhS that Natural Sciences-Physics and Chemistry-made a remarkable progress during its period, as it is evidenced by the fact of its scientific treatment of the theory of Matter, particularly the atomic theory and Metallurgy.
Here some ideas are given to show the scientific studies of the elements of Nature as made in this canonical work and to hold that they fully agree with the theories of the modern science, but these subjects will be dealt with in details later on in the chapter on Philosophy.
It is explained that Matter was, is, and will be infinite and eternal in the past, the present and the future.'
It was endowed with the dissimilar qualities like dryness and adhesiveness and got transformed into the states having many colours and forms by the applied and natural processes.
The skandhas (aggregate of atoms), after getting worn out underwent further transformation and disintegrated into the matter of one colour and one form i. e. an atom which is indivisible. impenetrable,“ infinite and eternal from the point of view of substance and non-eternal from that of the modes of colour, etc.8
The text throws a sidelight also upon the theory of light by making a scientific analysis of the burning of fire of a lamp.
It explains thus that a lamp, its stand, wick, oil, and cover do not burn, but fire in the wick buros.
It is the well-known theory that the oil of the lamp is sucked up by capillary action caused by the heat of fire burning at the tip of the wick.
In connection with the explanation of Lolasthiti (order of the Universe) this canonical text makes a scientific discussion on the action of air and water thus. Some man fiills a leather bladder with air and binds its mouth with a knot, fixes a knot in the middle of it and opens the upper knot (mouth). Then he
1.2 BhS, 14, 4, 510. 5 16, 25, 4, 740
16, 5, 7, 214.
3 16, 5, 7, 215. 6 16, 14, 4, 512.