________________
... [322]...
The material particles-of-the-form-of-spoken-language require two moments only for the process beginning with their reception and ending with their expulsion (859). It is so because in the first moment they are received and in the second moment they are expelled out5.
Matter is available in the form of luose atoms as well as aggregates constituted of two upto ananta atoms. Only those aggregates that are constituted of ananta atoms are amenable to the reception meant for the transformation into spoken language (877 [3]). Again, not all such aggregates but only those that occupy asamkhyāta space-points are amenable to the reception (877 [4]). The material-particles-of-the-form-of-spoken-language persist for one moment upto asaṁkhyāta moments (877 [5]).6 In other words, the material particles once transformed into spoken-language remain in that state for one moment upto asamkhyata moments. Each material-particle-of-the-form-of-spoken-language does not possess all the types of colour, flavour, odour and touch. And the types that one particle possesses are not necessarily identical with those that another particle passesses. But when they are taken jointly then we can say that they possess all the types of colour, flavour, odour and touch. In other words, in the class of these materialparticles-of-the-form-of-language, all types of colour, flavour, odour and touch are available (877 [6]-877[14]). But we should note one exception in this connection. This exception is due to the fact that out of each pair of contradictory touches one touch only could be grasped. Hence each of the particles received for the transformation into spoken-language possesses 2 or 3 or 4 touches. But when they are taken jointly, they can be said to have four touches only, that is, neither more nor less than four touches (877 [13]).
Material particles are found everywhere in the entire Loka. But the size of a soul is equal to the size of a body it inhabits. Hence there arises a question as to whether the soul receives the material particles-of-the-form-of-spoken-language from any part of the world. The answer given to the question is that only those particles that are in touch with the soul are received by it (877[15]). Moreover, only those material-particles-of-the-form-of-spokenlanguage that occupy the space-points occupied by the units of
5. According to the statement of Ac. Bhadrabahu in the reception of the material particles-of-the-form-of-spoken-language the bodily activities are required whereas in their expulsion the vocal ones. Avasyakaniryukti ga. 7; Visesă. gā. 353.
6. In this context the commentator records different explanations offered by others, Prajñāpanāṭīkā, folio 262 B.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org