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NIYAMSARA.
19
then we find that there are innumerable spatial units in it The - medium of Motion and the medium of Rest are co-extensive with
the universe and have thus a similar number of spatial units. Souls are found in different bodies of different dimensions in their mundane state, but still each one of them has the capacity of extending throughout the whole universe. Thus the spatial units of each soul are equal in number to those of the universe, i.e., innumerable. Matter exists in the universe either in the form of atoms or in the form of molecules. Molecules are composed of either numerable or innumerable or infinite number of atoms. The spatial units of matter are thus numerable, innumerable or infinite.
Space substance is infinite in dimensions; and has thus an infinite number of spatial units.
All the five substances, except Time, occupy more than one spatial unit. They are therefore called the five extensive substances, Panch-Astikayas.
The points of time are also innumerable. Each one of these points has its own separate and independent existence Though each one of them is connected with another, it is never combined with it. There are innumerable spatial units in the universe, so the number of points of time as well is innumerable. As each point of time occupies only one spatial unit, and not more than one in any case, it is called non-extensive substance, Akáya-Dravya.
In the universe there are only innumerable spatial units, how then, it may be asked, can it give space to an infinite number of atoms and molecules. The explanation is simple. The material atoms possess the capacity of compressing an infinite number of themselves into one molecule, which may not occupy more than one spatial unit. Take the case of light The space in a room may be occupied by the light of one lamp and also by the light of as many lamps as may be placed there.
In Gatha 31 Past time is equal to numerable winks multiplied by total number of liberated souls.
As a matter of fact 608 mundane souls are liberated within every period of 6 months and 8 instants. This process has been going on continuously and uniformly since eternity. If we reduce 6 months and 8 instants into winks and divide by 608, we obtain the average time for one soul to obtain liberation, i.e., numerable winks. The number of winks thus obtained is constant and does not vary. The number of past liberated souls is infinite and as shown above it increases by 608 within the period of every 6 months
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