Dr. N.L. Kachhara
The motion of a paramanu was described in 3.1.4.1. A free paramanu moves due to its own intrinsic characteristic without any external influence. When part of a group, say a four touch vargana, the motion of a paramanu is also influenced by other paramanus. In case of eight-touch vargana the fundamental forces are present and they play an active role in the motion of vargana. As the strong nuclear force and weak force are confined to atomic region, the important forces that influence the motion of aggregates are electromagnetic force and gravitational force. At micro level of existence the effect of gravitational force is negligible as compared to the effect of electromagnetic force.
Jain canonical literature describes two types of motion;
- Sparshad gati. The sparsh (touch) qualities and the forces derived from them influence the motion. Here speed is the ratio of the distance traveled in space and time taken in travel.
- Asparshad gati. The touch qualities or the forces derived from them have no role in motion. The concept of time and velocity is irrelevant in this case.
Based on above we consider the following cases of motion.
(a) Motion of a paramanu.
A paramanu is apratigati, it does not interact with any other object. Hence there is no external influence of any kind on the motion of a paramanu. Its motion is asparshad gati type. A paramanu moves due to its own intrinsic characteristic of dynamic action. Its motion is hindered only when it collides with another paramanu, a very rare possibility. It may be noted that the laws of motion of science and the limit imposed by special theory of relativity do not apply to paramanu as the forces on which these laws and theories are based are absent in this case. The dynamic activity of a paramanu is uncertain as described before and it may move with low, medium or high velocity as determined by the property of sadgun-hani-vridhi. In the extreme case of high velocity the paramanu can travel from one end to another end of loka in one samaya if not hindered by another paramanu.
(b) Motion of four - touch Vargana
A four touch vargana may contain two to infinite number of paramanus. The fundamental forces are still absent in this type of vargana and its motion is not governed by known laws of science and the special theory of relativity. However, there is affinity between paramanus in a vargana and so the maximum velocity of a vargana would be less than the maximum velocity of a paramanu. Due to large number of paramanus the chances of its colliding with other vargana are significant. On collision the two varganas may merge and form a bigger vargana of the same kind or a vargana of another kind.
(c) Motion of eight touch Vargana
Eight touch vargana contains paramanus in the bound state and has all the fundamental forces. All electromagnetic radiations fall in this category. The eight touch varganas, therefore, are expected to obey the known laws of science and the limit on speed imposed by the special theory of relativity may apply. On account of small mass the gravitational force must be negligible and the motion is largely be governed by electromagnetic force outside nucleus.
(d) Motion of particles (made of Mahaskandh Vargana)
At the level of subatomic particles and atoms the gravitational force is still very small and other three forces determine the motion. As the aggregates grow in size the gravitational force increases and the effect of electromagnetic force diminishes because the number of parmanus having positive and negative charge in the aggregate is likely to be of the same order canceling the effect of each other. Thus the motion of large particles and objects is governed mainly by gravitational force.
(e) Motion of Soul
A mundane soul in transition from one body to another body contains subtle bodies, karma and fiery, made of four touch varganas. The soul, therefore, moves with high velocity and completes its journey in one samaya when moving in a straight line. The travel time can increase to a maximum of four samaya depending on the number of turns the soul has to take in its journey.
A liberated soul is free of subtle bodies and is purely non material. No laws of physical science apply to it. No material, even a parmanu, can obstruct its path. The liberated soul moves instantaneously, as there is nothing to hold it, and travels to the end of loka in one samaya. The concept of conventional time, and hence of velocity, becomes irrelevant in this case. The soul cannot cross the boundary of loka, as dharmastikaya and adharmastikaya are absent in trans- cosmic space (aloka).
