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 185

150 The Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
In the philosophies like the Vaišeşika, etc., the corporeaf substances, viz. earth, water, fire and air, have not been accepted as equally endowed with these four specific characters, viz. colour, taste, smell and touch, but it has been admitted that earth is possessed of these four qualities, water is possessed of three qualities without smell, fire is possessed of two qualities colour and touch without smell and taste, and air is possessed of touch only.1 Like this they have not accepted four qualities - colour, taste, smell and touch as inherent in mind? according to Jaina philosophy.
For this reason the purport of the sūtra “Sparśarasagandhavarṇavantaḥ pudgaläh" is to show the difference of its view from those of the Nyāya-Vaiệesika system of thought and others. It is indicated by this aphorism that in Jaina philosophy Matter and Soul are different. Therefore, the application of the word "Pudgala" is not meant for Soul.4 In this way, earth, water, fire and air are equal as Matters 5 i. c. all of them are endowed. with four qualities. And in Jaipa Metaphysics mind also is possessed of these qualities, because of its being material. It is to be noted that in the physical science also colour, taste, odour and touch have been accepted as the properties of 1. Rüparasagandhasparśavati pşthivi, VS., II. 1. 1;
Rūparasasparśavatyāpo dravāḥ snigdhāḥ, Ibid., 2; Tejo rūpasparśavat, Ibid., 3;
Sparsavān vāyuḥ, Ibid., 4. 2. Sarvārthasiddhi (comm.), v. 3. 3. Atha sparśādimantaḥ syuḥ pudgalāḥ iti sūcanāt
Kșityādijā tibhedānāṁ prakalpananirākřtiḥ,
Tattvārtha ślo., p. 419. 4. Yasmādittham laksanāḥ pudgalā bhavanti tasmānna jíväḥ
pudgalaśabdavācyā iti / yathā caite paramānvādigatāḥ jivāḥ sparsādayaḥ guņāḥ paramānvādibhyo bhinnāścābhinnāśca tathā’guņa paryāyavaddravyan,
TS. Bhā., II, p. 355. 5. TS., p. 415. 4. TS., p. 355.