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SECOND CHAPTER
ELEMENTS OF MATTER
According to Jaina philosophy, Pudgala represents the elements of Matter. Its effect is to offer resistance to causes which tend to produce a change in its position, configuration or motion. Ghātasarira (obstructive body) is a gross body which obstructs and is obstructed by other objects. A body which neither obstructs nor is obstructed by other objects is Aghātasarfra (non-obstructive or fine body). It can pass through any kind of Matter. That is to say, Ghātaśarīra which is the effect of Matter is impenetrable, while Aghātaśarīra is capable of passing through any kind of material substances, e.g. X-Ray. Rūpa of Buddhist philosophy also is impenetrable (sapratigha) like Ghātasarıra of Jaina metaphysics. .
Earth, water, fire, air, shadow, objects, four senses (indriyas) besides that of sight, sense-organs, physical mind, karmic matter and atom2 (paramanu constitute the whole material in the forms of molecules and atoms, as they are studied from the points of view of their grossest and finest constitutions. It is explained that "whatever is perceived by the senses, the sense-organs, the various kinds of bodies of beings, the physical
1. Bādarasuhumudayena ya bādarasuhumā havaṁti taddhehā Ghādasarıram thūlam aghāda deham have suhuman
Gommațasāra, 183, (Jivakānda), p. 114. 2. Pudhaví-jala-chāyā-caurimdiyavisaya-kamma-khamdh-e
paramāņu-Satkhaņdāgama, Vol. III, p. 3. Puậhavi-jalaw-ca chāyā cauriņdiya-visayakammapāoggā Kammātida yevam chabbheyā poggalā homti
-Pañcāstikāyasära, 83, p. 81; Pudhavi jalam ca chāyā caurimdiyavisayakammaparamāņu Chavvihabheyam bhaniyam:poggaladavvar Jiņavarehim -GS. (JIva), V. 602.
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