Dr. S.

PANAYAPPAN 18 April 2019 1

 The scientific and mathematical data
found in Jain canonical texts is a rich source in
understanding the mysteries of life and world.

The knowledge of "Sankhyana" (i.e.

science of numbers) was considered to be one
of the principal accomplishments of Jain
priests.

Dr. S. PANAYAPPAN 18 April 2019 2

 The Jains were the first to conceive the
idea of transfinite numbers, a concept which
was brought to Europe by Cantor in the late
19-th century. In Jain upanga agama Surya
Prajnpati, all the numbers were classified into
three sets : enumerable, innumerable and
countable.

The word "karma”, in Sanskrit means

deeds, including thoughts and words. The
karma theory of Jains is complex and one of
the least understood concepts of Jainism.

Dr. S. PANAYAPPAN 18 April 2019 3

 This proposal contains three major inter-
linked directions in Jains contribution to origin
and development of modern science and
mathematics.

PART I --JAINAS MATHEMATICS

PART--II JAINAS SCIENCE
PART--III JAIN KARMA THEORY

Dr. S. PANAYAPPAN 18 April 2019 4

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 Investigation of mathematical ideas in non-
mathematical Jain texts like Anuogaddaraim
(approximately 4-th century) regarding
cosmological models of Jain theory
 Investigation of ability of Jains to develop
formulae to find the
a) length of circular arc in terms of the
corresponding chord and bow,
b) area of regions subtended by circular
arcs together with their chords etc, which
were available only after the invention of
calculus

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 Investigation of the influence of Vedic
mathematics in the development of Jain
mathematics --transplantation of
mathematics from one society to another
 Detailed study of Jain literature and
commentators' works to get clues to the
origin of mathematics

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 To examine Jain Mathematics in the
context of modern mathematics and attempt
to fill all the research gaps mentioned above

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 Exploration of Jain concept of 14 stages of
evolution of soul (Gunasthans) in the light of
Darwin's evolution theory
 Critical study of atomic theory of Jains to
obtain a solution to the problem of human
suffering
 Reinterpretation of the foundations of
Jainism ,in the light of recent scientific
findings, to find some of the answers that
individuals seek today (which might have
been given by Jains centuries ago )
 Reasons for(rare) conflict between Jain
science and modern science
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 To compare and contrast Jain Principles
with the laws of modern science and make
attempts to bridge the gaps given above.

Dr. S. PANAYAPPAN 18 April 2019 11

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 Formulae relating intensity and duration of
karma
 Exploration of parallel developments of Jain
karma theory and Jain mathematics
 Taking the clue that cause and effect is
related to probability theory and analyzing
model for salvation using Baye's theorem
 Critically examining why karma in Jainism
conveys a totally different meaning as
commonly understood in Hinduism and
western civilization

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To analyze the mathematical and scientific
ideas in Jain karma theory

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1) L.C.Jain & K.M.Meena Jain : System Theory in
Jaina School of Mathematics, Indian
J.Hist.Sci.24(3),1989,163-180.
2) Joseph, George Gheverghese : The crest of the
pea cock--Non-European roots of Mathematics,
London , Penguin Books 1994.
3) Mardia K.V. : The scientific foundations of
Jainism, Motilal Banarsidass, New Delhi,1990.
4) Panchastikaya Sara : "Matter in reality cannot be
created or destroyed; it has only permanent
sustainability: But through its modes it secures
triple qualities of permanence, appearance and
disappearance“.
5) Shiva Kumar : A note on glimpses of Indian
Mathematics, International Journal of Innovative
Technology and Research, Vol 2, No 1 ,2014.
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 P.I of this project is an active
researcher in Mathematics for the last 30
years. He has guided 50 M.Phils. and 12
Ph.Ds. in Mathematics. He has published a
number of papers in various national and
international journals. He has operated 4
major research projects funded by various
funding agencies.

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 After completion of his tenure as CSIR
Emeritus Scientist in 2016, he is highly
interested in history of Mathematics in
India. He has written two papers on history
of mathematics, which are in the final
stages of publishing. With his aptitude for
research in history of science, he is
confident of successful completion of this
project in time.

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 At present operating a project
entitled "Jain's role in origin and
subsequent development of number theory"
funded by Jain Vishva Bharati Institute,
Rajasthan.

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 The proposal contains three objectives, each
of which can be considered as a separate
project. In each year one objective will be
taken up and completed.
 Every year, first three months will be spent
for literature survey and travel to research
institutions to collect the material. Next six
months will be spent for critical study of the
material to achieve the stated objective.
Last three months will be devoted to prepare
the article and submit for publication.
 Three years are needed to complete the
project in detail.

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Fellowship : 10,80,000
Travel : 1,50,000
Contingency : 1,80,000
overheads : 1,41,000

TOTAL : 15,51,000

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P. I. is a retired person, who is willing to spend
his entire time for this project. So, honorarium
as per INSA norms is projected. Moreover,
research assistant is not claimed. Contingency
will be used for incidental expenses like
stationary, courier, postage, print outs, xerox
etc. Travel expenses will be spent for visiting
research institutes like Bhagawan Mahavir
International Research Centre at Ladnun,
Rajasthan, Research foundation for Jainology,
Chennai, HNGU etc. Purchase of books will also
come under this head, as there is no separate
provision for books.

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 The clues that Jain Mathematics may hold to
the very nature of the foundation of
Mathematics will be unearthed in the first
year.
 Correlation between Jain Principles and
Modern Science will be established in the
second year.
 A detailed insight into the complex Jain
Karma Theory will also be developed in the
third year.

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