Microcosmology: Atom In Jain Philosophy & Modern Science: [2.2.06] Atom In Jain Philosophy - Pudgala - Other Important Attributes (Modes) - Minuteness (Microscopicness) And Largeness (Macroscopicness)

4. Minuteness (Microscopicness) And Largeness (Macroscopicness)

The physical universe is composed of innumerable varieties of physical objects, from a microscopic sub-atomic particle to a macroscopic giant star. Both these opposite qualities are, therefore, special attributes of the physical substance (pudgala).

Largeness and minuteness are, however, mostly relative. An object is large because there is another one, which is smaller than it. Largeness of the former is strictly relative to the minuteness of the latter.

An ultimate atom (paramanu) is the smallest indivisible form of pudgala, and there is nothing more minute than it And hence minuteness (microscopicness) is of two kinds:

1. Relative
   and
2. Ultimate.

Similarly largeness (macroscopicness) is also of two kinds:

1. Relative
   and
2. Ultimate.

The ultimate macroscosmic object is called acitta mahaskandha i.e. great aggregate, which pervades the entire cosmic space (lokakasa).