Paramanu means something in Buddhism, Pali, Hinduism, Sanskrit, Jainism, Prakrit, Marathi. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
Paramāṇu (परमाणु):—Caraka has explained that the body parts can be divided and re-divided into innumerable individual components called ‘Paramāṇus’. These are innumerable because of their huge number, highly minute structure a nd limited perceptive ability of sense organs (Carakasaṃhitā Śārirasthāna 7.17). This statement indicates that there existed a concept of minute and numerous individual living units in the body. Today we call such microscopic units by the name ‘Cell’.
Paramāṇu (द्रोणी, “atom”) is the Sanskrit name for a unit of measurement, used in Vāstuśāstra literature, according to the Mānasāra II.40-53. A single Paramāṇu unit corresponds to the smalles unit possible. It takes 8 Paramāṇu units to make a single Rathadhūli unit.
The smallest unit, which is paramāṇu, atom is stated ta be perceived (only) by the sages. For all practical purposes, aṅgula is the smallest unit of measurement. For this reason, it is seen to be treated in a special way in the text with regards to its universality that significantly downplays its semantic reference to the body.
Paramāṇu (परमाणु).—A time-unit equal to one-half of the unit called अणु (aṇu), which forms one-half of the unit called मात्रा (mātrā) which is required for the purpose of the utterance of a consonant; cf. परमाणु अर्धाणुमात्रा (paramāṇu ardhāṇumātrā) V. Pr.I.61. परमाणु (paramāṇu), in short, is the duration of very infinitesimal time equal to the pause between two individual continuous sounds. The interval between the utterances of two consecutive consonants is given to be equivalent to one Paramanu; cf. वर्णान्तरं परमाणु (varṇāntaraṃ paramāṇu) R.T.34.
Paramāṇu (परमाणु, “atom”).—The Buddhas and dharmakāya Bodhisattvas who are able to number the atoms (paramāṇu) that arise and cease in the whole of Jambudvīpa, according to Mahāprajñāpāramitāśāstra (chapter XIV).
Atom; The smallest (indivisible) particle or unit of matter substance which can not be further divided is called an atom (paramanu).
An atom (paramanu) has also one spatial unit. Even then how is it called an astikaya?
Although an atom (paramanu) has only one spatial unit, even then it has the power of attaining manifoldness of spatial units (pradeshas) by becoming a molecule. It is, therefore, conventionally called an astikaya.
Paramāṇu (परमाणु, “sub-atom”).—What is meant by sub-atom (paramāṇu)? The smallest indivisible part of matter (pudagala) is called paramāṇu.
Paramāṇu (परमाणु) refers to “sub-atom” according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 5.1.—The sub-atom (paramāṇu), being without space-points or with one space point, is included as existent body (astikāya). As sub-atom (paramāṇu) has dry and oily attributes and hence has potential to be with many space-points, it is included as existent body.
Paramāṇu (“sub-atom”) refers to one of the two types of matter (pudgala) according to the 2nd-century Tattvārthasūtra 5.5.—What is the meaning of a sub-atom (paramāṇu)? The smallest indivisible part with one space point is its volume is called sub-atom. What are the beginning, middle and end of a sub-atom? A sub-atom is so minute that it is the beginning, middle and end of itself. What are the characteristics of a sub-atom? The peculiarities of an sub-atom is its round shape, two touches, one taste, one smell and one colour and cognized by its activity only.
According to Tattvārthasūtra 5.27, “the sub-atom (is produced only) by division (fission)”. A sub-atom (paramāṇu) can be created by fission (bheda) only. What is the difference between an āṇu and paramāṇu in Jain philosophy? Literally there are same but philosophically we can say it is similar to sub-atom and its smallest constituent (quark identified till now).
paramāṇu : (m.) the 36th part of an aṇu.
paramāṇu (परमाणु).—m (S) An atom, the invisible base of all aggregate bodies. Thirty are supposed to form a mote in a sunbeam. This is the lowest measure of weight. See aṇu.
Paramāṇu (परमाणु).—an infinitesimal particle, an atom; सिकतात्वादपि परां प्रपेदे पर- माणुताम् (sikatātvādapi parāṃ prapede para- māṇutām) R.15.22; परगुणपरमाणून् पर्वतीकृत्य नित्यम् (paraguṇaparamāṇūn parvatīkṛtya nityam) Bh.2.78; पृथ्वी नित्या परमाणुरूपा (pṛthvī nityā paramāṇurūpā) T. S; (a paramāṇu is thus defined:-- jālāntarasthasūryāṃśau yat sūkṣmaṃ dṛśyate rajaḥ | bhāgastasya ca ṣaṣṭho yaḥ paramāṇuḥ sa ucyate || Tarka K., or less accurately:-jālā- ntaragate raśmau yat sūkṣmaṃ dṛśyate rajaḥ | tasya triṃśattamo bhāgaḥ paramāṇuḥ sa ucyate ||) °अङ्गकः (aṅgakaḥ) an epithet of Viṣṇu.
Paramāṇu is a Sanskrit compound consisting of the terms parama and aṇu (अणु).