• Academicians, eminent scientists, and scholars among which Prof. Samten, VC, Central University for Tibetan Studies, Sarnath Varanasi, Dr. R.K. Deka, Director, AIIMS, Prof. Deepak Pental, VC Delhi University, Prof. Ranjeet Nair, Director, Centre for Philosophy and Foundations of Science were present.

• Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam during the release of the book said that the book was so fascinating and binding that despite his busy schedule, he could not resist reading it till 3 in the morning! He further said that the book starts with a set of questions on the dimension and age of Universe. “These questions are there from time immemorial and so many theories till date have been formed by scientists and philosophers to solve the same. This book is a step forward to solve this theory from the point of view of science and philosophy”, he said. He conveyed that the author had played the role of an intelligent medium between him and Acharya Mahapragya.  Further Dr. Kalam suggested that Steven Weinberg, Nobel laureate, must work with the Muni for Unified Field Theory.

• Prof. Muni Mahendra Kumar said that a happy blending of science and spirituality could pave the way for bringing about the ultimate internal transformation of the human personality, so as to free man from destructive emotions which were responsible for violence, anger, cruelty, deceit etc. He discussed the project to be started shortly to undertake scientific research in the field of evaluation of effects of spiritual practices on human brain and behavior. There was an interesting interactive session, in which almost all of the participants agreed to the urgent need of comparative studies and research in the field of spirituality and science.

• Muni Shri Ajit Kumar and Muni Shri Shudhakar Kumar presented an auspicious song in the beginning. Mr. Rajesh Jain introduced the eminent scientists and scholars participating in the function. Mr. T.K. Jain, President, Anuvrat Vishva Bharti welcomed the participants and Mr. Vimal Surana, President of Delhi chapter of Anuvibha, proposed a vote of thanks. Muni  Abhijeet  Kumar convened the function efficiently and effectively.

About the book: ‘The Enigma Of The Universe’

• Foreword by Prof. Dr. Govind Chandra Pande, Ex-vice-chancellor, Rajasthan University.  The book The Enigma Of The Universe is a unique treatise on Jain mathematics and cosmology.

• Critical studies and research in the metaphysical, epistemological, cosmological, and mathematical aspects of the universe in Jain philosophy in the light of modern scientific theories and western philosophy.  The questions regarding the nature, shape, size and age of the Universe, the reality and relativity of space & time, the subjectivity and objectivity of the physical world and many more such aspects of the Universe have made it an intricate-enigma.

• The Jain philosophy which is believed to be at least 2500 years old has a rich heritage of mathematical description in the ancient canonical texts.

• Especially, the computation of macro and micro-space-time units including rajju, samaya, dvalika, palyopama, sagaropama etc. and of the volume of the universe as 343 cubic rajjus are made by applying modern mathematical methods. New interpretations have been made so as to resolve differences in the Shvetambara and Digambara traditions.

• Particularly, the shape of the universe as suggested by Acharya Virasena, the Veteran mathematician of 8th Century A.D. is re-examined through the application of integral calculus and the exact shape of the universe (loka) has been found out. Incidentally, the numerals running in multitude of digits have been mathematically computed through the geometrical series. A detailed mathematical discussion of innumerable and infinite numbers is an innovative approach in the whole history of mathematics. In the same way, some new ideas like “quantization of time”, “superluminal speeds of the ultimate atoms”, “massless matter” and “creation of new matter” have been hypothetically presented by the learned author.

• Published by Jain Vishva Bharati University, Ladnun - 341 306, Rajasthan, India.

• Pages: 445.  Price: Rs.500/- [US $25].

Meeting Vice President (at that time) of India. Dr. Radhakrishnan.
From left: Ashaben, Kiran bhai, Mahendra, Jethabhai on right Dr. Radhakrishnan.  [This is a very old picture, of Mahendra Muni, before the Diksha, (before he became a Jain saint)].