Dr. N.L. Kachhara
The active universe is comprised of two basic components, (1) matter and energy and (2) jiva, the living substance. The state of the universe is jointly determined by these two components. The inanimate component is bigger than the animate component. 70 percent of the inanimate component is recognized as dark energy by scientists, and not much is known about it. According to Jain philosophy, this part of inanimate energy must consist of varganas, which are clusters of paramanus, some in a bonded state and others in an unbonded state. The bonding between paramanus is an electrical activity; therefore varganas (and dark energy) are not supposed to contribute to disorder in the system.
Luminous matter, made up of one specific type of vargana, ultimately consists of paramanus, whose total energy comprises electrical, thermal, and kinetic energy. The paramanu undergoes self-transformation and its mode changes spontaneously. The second law of thermodynamics applies to the thermal processesof gross matter that may become a cause for increase in entropy of the universe. This is supposed to increase disorder. However, the processes that take place in the electrical mode are seen to increase order in the system. There is a possibility of change of the matter's mode from thermal to electrical in some part of the universe, thereby producing order from disorder.
Organisms are living systems that produce order from disorder. The order and organization seen in cells is not possible in non-living systems and is surely a result of the intelligence of the soul. The soul which, in its journey, proceeds from a highly disordered to a perfectly ordered state also produces order in the body it occupies. It is because of the soul that processes in the body are highly efficient, minimizing entropy production in the environment. In most parts of the universe organisms do not disturb the order; there are only a few areas in the middle loka where human beings resort to activities that increase disorder. But in these areas, there are cyclic changes in order and disorder (Kala Chakra) that help maintain a steady state over a period of time.
So, we have systems producing order from disorder and disorder from order in the universe. Galaxies, star systems, cells, organisms, etc. are examples of beautiful order in the universe. The two components, living and non-living, together give a steady and stable universe according to Jain philosophy and there is no possibility of heat death of the universe.
