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 194

Properties of Matter
159
Air possesses the characteristics of touch, number, dimension, separateness, conjunction, disjunction, priority, posteriority and velocityl in common with earth, water and fire of these touch is the distinctive characteristic of it, which is non-chemical and neither hot nor cold.2 This quality differentiates it from earth, water and fire. Air is possessed of oblique or transversal motion ( tiryag-gati ), s but no weight4 in the absence of which it does not come down. Its motion is unimpeded as it receives the impetus from the velocity of air.5 The Nyāya-Vaišeşika view on the properties of Matter suffers from some defects, when they are analysed in the light of the physical sciences. As for instance, it maintains that air does not possess any weight, but modern physics demonstrates that air also is possessed of weight. In agreement with the physical sciences Jaina Metaphysics holds the view. that air also possesses the quality of weight because of being a form of Matter.
KINDS OF FOUR SPECIFIC QUALITIES OF MATTER IN THE NYAYA-VAISESIKA
METAPHYSICS Colour : According to the Nyāya-Vaišesika Philosophy, there are stated to be seven kinds of colour, viz. white, blue or black, yellow, green, grey, red and citra ( variegated colour ) 1. Sparśavān vāyuḥ, VS. 11.1.4. Vāyutvābhisambandhādvāyuḥ
sparśasāṁkhyaparimānapřthaktvasamyogavibhāgaparatvā
paratvasamskāravān, PPBha., Vāyunirupaņaprakaranam. 2. Sparśaśca vayoḥ, VS., 11.1.9; Sparso’syānuşņāśitatve
satyapākajaḥ, guņa ,iniveśātsiddhaḥ, PPBhā., p. 17. 3. Agnerurddhvajvalanam vāyostiryakpavanamanūnām mana
saścādyam karmādsstakāritam, VS., V. 2. 13. 4. PPBhā., Vāyunirupaņaprakaranaṁ. 5. Preraņādiheturekaḥ san kriyābhedādapānādisamjñām
labhate, Ibid.