Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons

SR No.: 001670
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 608
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, & Religion
File Size: 9 MB

Page 171

Reality and Matter: Definition, Properties and Classification : 149
All types of nature total 21. The natures in general consist of qualities or modes representing the existing present or permanent form, appearance or mode of the reality. Outwardly, there seems to be no co-relation between the earlier attributes and these natures. But, on closer examination, one can find sufficient equivalence together with some discrepancies from the earlier attributes. For example, the first six special natures are general attributes of Table 3. The last five general and the last four special natures show some repeatition and specificity from Table 5.
This generality-cum-specificity of reality represents another definition of reality as possessing qualities and modes. The living and material realities have all the 21 natures. The realities of medium of motion, rest and accommodation have 16 natures. The reality of time has only 15 natures.
Table 5 Natures of Realities.
General Natures 11
1. Permanence
2. Modifiability
3. Existentiality
4. Non-existentiality
5. Uni-naturality
6. Multinaturality
7. Differentiality 8. Identity
9. Salvation capacity 10. Salvation incapacity 11. Inherence
Specific Natures 10
Conscious Nature
Non-conscious Nature Formlessness
Formness
Uni-particulateness Multi-particulateness
Absolute nature
Non-absolute nature
Denaturation capacity (Bibhāva) Empirical nature
Existentiality as Reality
A third and basically simplest definition of reality has been given by Umāsvāti1. A reality is that which is Sat or existential. This existence has been defined as that which could be produced and destroyed despite maintaining its basic nature or it has changeability through permanence. The gold