Universal Values of Prakrit Texts

SR No.: 006701
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Prem Suman Jain
Publisher: Bahubali Prakrit Vidyapeeth and Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 368
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 205

Dharma and Adharma are indirectly related to space. Their operation is in space and is limited by Lokākāsa. Thus they may also be considered as related to space. Lastly, life is generally associated with body; the organic body is constituted by pudgala or matter. Jīva is operative in and conditioned by such a physical medium. In a way, therefore, Jīva also related to space. These five existences which have speciality either directly or indivectly are the five astikāyas. These are the constituent elements of the universe or the world. Astikāyas are described in the text in this way:
Jīva Puggalakāyā dhammadhamma taheva āyāsam | Attittamhi ya niyada anannamaeya anumahamatā || (1/4) Jesīm Athisahão guṇehīsaha pajjarvi vīvīhehi |
Te honti atthikāyā nippaṇṇam jehi tailokkam || (1/5)
Here the author enumerates the five existences. He describes the number of each and the general and special characteristics of the different astikāyas. Jīvas or souls, pudgalas or non-souls, Dharma and Adharma, the principles of rest and motion, and finally space- these are the astikāyas. They are eternal, uncreated and of huge magnitude.
An other of substances which is the main cause for every changing in this world is called Kāla (time). In the text the author did not included the time Astikaya dravya. Therefore kāla has no extension either directly or indirectly. Hence, it is not an astikāya. Time has its own definitions. Kāla or time, though no an element of the physical universe, is mentioned in the text. Since change and motion are admitted to be real, time also must be considered real. The real or absolute time as contrasted with the relative time is constituted by simple element know as kālāņus or instants. Instants, points and atoms are the characteristic conception of Jaina thought and in this respect it has a wonderful colloboration with the field of modern mathematics.
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