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Vol. XXII, No. 2
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Anekantava da from a purely speculative mental construct to its applicablity in many real physical phenomena experimenatally and mathematically for fuller understanding them. It has also confirmed the fact of limitation in acquiring complete knowledge independently as is connoted by Anekantavada, thus advising scientists to go beyond science for learning completely about reality.
The relativity theory consists of combination of two laws: (a) law of equivalence and covariance and (ii) law of maximalness and constancy of velocity of light Table III gives comparative details about the concerts and statements of the relativity theory and various Jaina postulates as understood by this author. It is seen that while the Jainas agree to the law of equivalence for uniform systems and therefore, concept of relative aspects giving it a philosophical and, logistic support, they might not be in a position to agree to the maximalness and constancy of volecity of light on canonical grounds on which the relativity theory is based Moreover, the constancy of light has also been suggested to be violated in case of many paranormal phenomena1 and Hubble-Narlikar theory. However, velocity of light is a physically measurable phenomena and nonagreement with it leads to many other variances of Jainas on physical issues based on it as shown in the Table.
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In fact, this Einstein combination of two laws has led not only to explain the above phenomena, but have forced the scientific community to modify their ideas regarding absolute truth or reality, space, time, matter, simultaneity and gravitation. These have all been turned into relative phenomena in the world. This has led to abandon the ether and gravitational field concept which were equated with the Jaina conncept of medium of motion and rest as the theory could explain all the phenomena even without them. Moreover, normal 3-d space has been extended to 4-d space-time continuous having a non-traditional geometry reducing the concept of time as an independant reality into it becoming an inseperable part of space. These modified views have not only been derived mathematically but verified experimentally too.
Anekantvada or Jain Relativism
Anekantavada is one of the most fundamental philosophical principles of Jainology in tune with their habit of aspectwise studies in terms of different types of disquisition doors (positings, standpoints, instruments of cognitions etc) and in tradition of a pre-canonical scripture named 'Astinasti-pravada'-now extant.""" Its seedlings are sufficiently traceable in canons but it was fully developed into its sevenfold predications by ascetic scholars like Samantbha
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