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 210

Properties of Matter
175
all forms of Matter except in Ākāśa (space) which is conceived as non-atomic and inactive. All the four classes of atoms, viz. air atoms, fire-atoms, water-atoms and earth-atoms are in continual motion. The universe at bottom is an infinitude of unceasingly vibratory particles.1 “All physical action consists in motion.”2 Force, power and operation (sakti) are recognized by this philosophy as only the modes of motion. It is said by Jayanta Bhatta that no mysterious power or operation which is not and cannot be apprehended by the senses in acknowledged. “But this denial of force (sakti) and of unperceived and unperceivable operation (atîndriyavyāpāra) is advanced as the philosophical proposition to show the correctness of the Nyāya treatment of the causal nexus to mere invariable and unconditional antecedence among phenomena without productive power of efficiency."9 Parispanda is of the nature of motion and is the ultimate form of activity in spite of its being subtle and hence infra-sensible ( sūksma and anudbhutarūpa, not atîndriya ).4 It is explained that an effect is the total outcome of the combined motions of the various (material and efficient ) causes involed in all cases of material causation, e. g. in the case of chemical uction (pāka ).5 Sa 1. Anavarata parispandamānaparimitapavanādiparamāṇavaḥ,
Raghunāth; compare also paramāṇavaḥ in gatiśīlatvāt patatravyapadeśaḥ patantiti, Nyāyakusumāñjali, Stavaka. V.
Vide The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus, p. 122. 2. The Positive Science of the Ancient Hindus, p. 123. 3. Anyathāsiddhiśūnyasya niyatapūryvavarttitā, Bhāsāparic
cheda, Vide The Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hindus,
p. 123. 4. Parispandana eva bhautiko vyāpāraḥ karotyarthaḥ atin
driyastu vyāpāraḥ nāstiti brūmaha tasmāt kārakacakreņa calatā janyate phalam na punaścalanādanyo vyāpāra upa
labhyate, NM., Ābnika, 1, p. 18. 5. e. g. in the case of pāka, samuditadevadattādisakalakāra
kanikaraparispanda eva višistaphalāvacchinnaḥ pāka ityu