Jain Science and Spirituality
by Medhavi Jain | 2020 | 61,419 words
This essay studies the elements of Jainism and investigates how Jain science and philosophy can give the world answers to through science and spirituality. Instead of interpreting it as a confined, strict philosophy, it is shown that Jainism represents a path towards self-awakening through self-improvement....
2.2. Cosmic and Supracosmic Space
When we enquire deeper into the subject of space, newer and more meaningful definition comes out.
‘Void space is called akasha. It has been acknowledged as a consistent, ethereal substance. That has the ability to accommodate the various substances in itself. In spite of the fact that it is persistent be that as it may, it's littlest indissoluble units are envisioned as pradesha, to have a thought. Despite the fact that it is limitless however has every single other substance situated in a portion of its focal part, this part is called loka and the remainder of the part, that is past the loka, is called aloka. Because of the eccentricity of the ability of giving space, (avagahana) there are unending matter particles arranged in its one pradesha for example on its littlest unified part.’[1]
‘Concerning space we need to recognize the cosmic space (lokakasha) and the supra cosmic space (alokakasha), the previous speaking to yet a boundlessly little division of the complete space. It is in the idea of space to give room (avagahana), to any number of molecules; yet this, obviously, applies simply to the space of the universe, the space past the universe being totally void.’[2]
This is the magnificent as well as mind-boggling fact about space as per Jain philosophy, that the part where all beings reside is mere a tiny fraction of that which occupies the whole. Each definition takes the reader to another level of understanding space.
One more query which may arise in one’s mind is that just like space provides accommodation to all the other substances, is there something that provides a base even to the space?
‘Space is its very own base and support, and does not require some other substance to accommodate it; it is obvious from the way that there is no other substance of more endlessness than this which may give room to it.’[3]
Amongst all the substances this is the grandeur of space alone.
‘It ought to be noted here that the space, inestimable and supra-cosmic, is a solitary element. Just because of presence of other substances we separate space into two sections.’[4]
It is beautiful how nature has taken care of herself so well and also how wonderfully it has been looking after the mankind by sustaining it into herself.
Footnotes and references:
[1]:
JSK. pp. 219 (translated from the book)
[2]:
TDTJ. Pp. 127
[3]:
[4]:
TETU. pp. 119