Prof. Muni Mahendra Kumar
When I was a student of the final year in the Honours course of B. Sc. in Physics (with Maths as a subsidiary subject), at the (Royal) Institute of Science, University of Bombay, while studying the theory of relativity of Einstein, for the first time an idea struck to my mind that if the doctrine of space and time of the Jain philosophy was compared with this modern theory of physics, it would not only be very interesting and thrilling, but also bring to light some new and useful facts about the present topic. From that very instant, I started a deep and thorough study of the Jain philosophy. After completion of my graduation in 1957,I got the spiritually auspicious privilege of being initiated as a Jain ascetic in the Terapanth order of Jain Shvetambara tradition by His Holiness Acharya Shri Tulsi, who himself was the master of Jain philosophy and a great promoter of scientific studies besides being the supreme head of Terapanth. It was a sort of new life for me. I started systematic studies of the Jain canonical works, which are the main and original source-books of the Jain philosophy. Besides, I continued my studies in physics and tried to keep myself abreast of the contemporary developments in the field. Moreover, I got the opportunity to learn thoroughly the ancient languages like Prakrit, Sanskrit, Pali etc.. As a result, it became possible for me to undertake the herculean task of comparative studies in the Jain philosophy and modern science, and do research in the field of some of the fundamental issues thereof.
One of those subjects was the nature of the universe. In 1960, I wrote a long essay with title "The Enigma of the Universe" which got published in the "Bhikṣu Srmṛi Grantha"[1] which was published to commemorate the bi-centenary of the Terapanth, initially founded by His Holiness Acharya Shri Bhikshu. As a matter of fact, the present research work is an elaboration of that essay.
In 1961, I got the opportunity to read a research paper with title "The Universe in Jain Mathematics" at a Mathematics Seminar organized by the University of Delhi, during the "Fourth Summer School on Mathematics (from 9 May to 3 June)." In that paper I put forth the problem of the calculation of the volume of the loka (universe) in the Jain philosophy and also that of finding out the mathematical value of rajju (the astrophysical measure used in the Jain cosmological works.
After an incessant research of nearly ten years, I could write this complete work (in Hindi), entitled Viśva Prahelikā which got published in 1969.
The English version, however, took a very long time to get completed. Actually I had added new matter which I found after the publication of the Hindi version. Anyhow, I feel quite exhilarated to complete this venerable task, through which, I think, I have tried to render my humble services to the Jaina Sāsana.
