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

Page 174

Atomis
origination, destruction and permanence)1. It is existent from the point of view of asti (existence)2.
139
Paramāņu is transformable with regard to bhāva-guņa (quality) colour, taste, smell and touch from the standpoint of pariṇāma (transformation). There takes place the transformation of four qualities in all paramaņus, viz. Varṇapariņāma (transformation of colour), rasapariṇāma (transformation of taste), gandhapariņāma (transformation of smell), and sparsapariṇāma (transformation of touch). The transformation of shape (samsthānapariṇāma) does not occur in the individual independent state of paramāņu, for it is devoid of shape and it does not assumed any shape in its discrete condition.5 In this state paramāņu undergoes transformation in the form of increase and decrease of its bhavas (qualities) by combing with another paramāņu or paramāņus. There takes place the transformation in the parts of its bhava-guņas, i. e. only the natural transformation occurs in paramāņu existing in its own state. It is agurulaghu (neither heavy nor light) from the point of view of kaya (mass or body). It is devoid of lump and part; there is no smaller and lighter form of matter than paramāņu. It is aguru (not-larger or not-heavier) but laghu (lighter) than any material substance. It is agurulaghu in its own state or individual condition from the point of view of bhāva, i. e. there takes place the process of decrease and increase by six steps (sthānas) in its bhāva-guņas (qualities). It undergoes transformation by six steps with regard to its own qualities, even when it exists in isolation in its discrete condition. As for example, a paramāņu is one fold black, it can be infinitefold back by its capacity of agurulaghu-guṇa and again it can
6
1. Tattvärthadhigamasutra, prathama vibhāga, ch. v, sūtra 29, p. 374.
2. Ibid., p. 381.
3. Bhagavati Vyakhyāprajñapti, 5. 7, 213; TS., p. 437.
4. Ibid., 8. 10. 356; TS., pt. I. p. 324.
5. Ibid., 8. 10. 356, 357.
6. Ibid., 1. 9. 73.