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Pudgala in the Philosophy of Mahāvīra and Modern Science
199
Main Functions :
With Body :-Out of the various functions of this Pudgala (Matter) some of them connected with living souls are enumerated :Matter is the cause of formation of organic (Audarika) bodies, invisible and transformable (Vaikreya) bodies and subtle bodies (Ahāraka). Electric body (Taijasa) is constituted by electric molecules, while the subtle inner body (Kārmāna) is made by Kārmāna Varganā6 (group of particular atoms of 8 kinds of Karmas). Speech and mind are formed by Vacana' and Manovargana'. Another group of matter is responsible for our respiration. This is a scientific process of inhaling oxygen and exhaling carbon-di-oxide. Soul experiences pleasure and pain, life and death through the agency of this matter. So also one piece of matter is capable of producing physical and chemical changes on other, resulting in its amelioration (Butter or ghee increases intellect) or deterioration (wine or dhatura Nux Vomica spoils intellect).
Properties :
TO TH TE ATAT, granuT 79TT (Uttara. 28/12) #fam: qocar: (Tatia. 5/4). The matter possesses the properties of colour (5 kinds), smell (2 kinds), taste (5 kinds) and touches (8 kinds). They (pudgalas) have forms, are tangible, corporeal. The Jain omniscients have given an up-to-date and scientific classification :
1.
Sthūla-sthūla- Solids viz. earth, stone, gold etc. divisible and portable.
2.
Sthūla-Liquids, melted butter etc., non-divisible but portable.
3.
Sthūla-sūkşma-Energy which is perceptible to the eye but cannot be handled viz. sunshine, light, shadow etc.
4.
Sūkşma-Sthūla-Which is not visible but felt by other sense organs, viz. heat, air, sound, electricity, magnetism.
5. Sūkşma-Fine matter responsible for thought activities,
Karmic matter, fine molecule beyond sense perceptions,
protons, electrons; etc. Jain Education International For Private & Personal Use Only
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