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Atom in Jain Philosophy
SECTION II
PUDGALA: ATTRIBUTES
85
(A) DEFINITIONS
PUDGALA: REMARKABLY MEANINGFUL NOMENCLATURE
Physical substance is called pudgala by Jains. The etymological meaning of the word pudgala is that it has the property of intergration and disintergration. It has the following derivation2:
'Pud' means to combine/integrate and gala' means to separate/disintegrate. Hence, the basic meaning of the word pudgala is: "That which undergoes modifications by integration and disintegration." In the words of the modern science, we can say that "what is fissionable and fusionable is 'pudgala'."
CHARACTERIZATION
Many definitions of pudgala are possible on the basis of numerous varied qualities possessed by it and also numerous aspects3 from which it is perceived.
There are particular qualities possessed exclusively by pudgala which distinguish it from the other substances. Out of these, there are some qualities which are found in all forms and modifications of pudgala, while some of them are found in some forms of pudgala and are obsent in other. Characteristic qualities are those which distinguish it from other substances and are found in all modifications of pudgala
According to Jain canonical literature, physical substance (pudgalāstikāya) is characterized by four qualities viz. colour, taste, odour, and touch, Possession of these qualities makes
1. The terms physical existence or pudgala used in the book stand for the entire range of sub-atomic particles, atoms/elements, molecules and material bodies as well as all forms of material energy of science.
2. Sabdakalpa-druma-kosa.
3. 'Aspect' implies that the perception of an object is a quality inherent in the thing perceived a quality that is drawn out into focus by the percipient.
