Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy

SR No.: 001663
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J C Sikdar
Publisher: P V Research Institute Varanasi
Publication Year: 1987
Total Pages: 412
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Philosophy, & Physics
File Size: 23 MB

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The Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
Prakṛti-one Primordial Matter and its capacity of transformation.
The Nyaya-Vaiseṣika Philosophy stops by conceiving paramāņu as the sixth part (or division) of rajakaṇa (mote) perceived in the sunrays, whereas Jaina metaphysics accept an aņu or a paramāņu (atom) also as skandha (molecule) of infinite sükṣmaparamāņus (finest ultimate atoms). It explains that infinite paramāņus and infinite skandhas can exist in a subtle from in one point of space, in which one paramāņu exists, by virtue of its capacity of samkoca (contraction or capacity of becoming fine), e. g. the combinations of the atoms of mercury and gold in a ratio 1:100 Karśas*. On this ground paramāņu is infinite in number also. It should be noted that it is anardha (without half part), amadhya (without interior part) and apradeśa (without having parts)5 i. e. devoid of void from the point of view of kṣetra (locus). It has neither beginning, nor end, nor middle (i. e. nor interior). It is devoid of length, breadth and depth, because of this fineness it is itself beginning; it is itself middle; it is itself end. Its fineness compares well with the fineness of Prakṛti of the Samkhya. The difference between the two conceptions lies in the fact that even though Prakṛti is fine, it is one and all. pervading, where as paramāņus of Jaina Philosophy are infinite in number, but every paramānu is finest and smallest, and Lokākāśa or bhautika viśva (cosmic universe) is filled with infinite paramāņus.
1. Nyāyavārtika, Udyotakara, p. 647.
2. Anuyogadvarasūtra 133, p. 160; Jambudvipaprajñapti II, sutra 19, p. 92; Lokaprakāśa, part I, sarga 1, sloka 21, p. 5% 3. Paramāṇukhaṇḍaṣattriṁśikā, Ratnasiṁhasūri (vṛtti), p. 2. 4. Bhagavati Vyakhyāprajñapti, 13.4. (vṛtti), (Sa. 27),
mudrita, pa, 608; Lokaprakāśa, Pt. I, 1, vv. 47-48, p. 88.. 5. Bhagavati Vyākhyāprajñapti, 5.7. 215; 20.5. 670. 6. Tattvartha Rājavārtika, Akalanka, Bhāga II, ch. V, sūtra 25; see commentary No. 1, p. 491.