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Atom in Jain Philosophy
131
(ii) A paramānu can occupy a space-point which is already occupied by others (paramānu, composite bodies or jīva), without losing its free state.
(iii) A paramāņu can commence and continue its own motion and activities irrespective of the other occupants of the same space.
(iv) A para māņu can leave the occupied space without any restraint from the other occupants.
Inspite of possessing the unique quality of ‘apratighātitva as defined above, the paramānu is subject to pratighāta (hindrance) under the following conditions:
1. Upkārabhāva pratighāta (restriction due to the absence of media) - It cannot penetrate the boundaries of loka and cross over to aloka. This is because there is no dharmāstikāya (medium of motion) in aloka and without the aid of dharmāstikāya, nothing can move. And so the paramānu on reaching the boundary of loka is stopped and may be thrown back.
2. Bandhana-pariņāma-prarighāta (restriction due to association) - It loses its free state and the capacity for independent activity for the time being, when it is united with other paramānus i.e., so long as it remains a constituent of a composite material body.
3. Ati-vega-pratighāta (restriction due to high velocity) - Collision between two self-activated paramānus inoving at a high velocity may cause pratighāta in the motions of both.
