________________
Verse 25
ākāśa or space are infinite. The idea of space-points is to be understood as in the previous instance.
Jain, S.A., Reality, p. 135.
Ācārya Umasvami's Tattvārthasūtra संख्येयासंख्येयाश्च पुद्गलानाम् ॥
(5-10) (The space-points) of forms of matter are numerable and innumerable also.
Ācārya Pujyapada’s Sarvārthasiddhi The particle 'ca' in the sutra includes infinite times infinite also. Some molecules of matter have countable space-points, some others countless and yet others infinite space-points. It is contended that infinite times infinite should be mentioned in the sutra. But it is untenable. For the latter (infinite times infinite) is based on the former (infinite). Infinite is of three kinds, parītānantam, yuktānantam and anantānantam.
All these are based on the infinite which is common. A contention arises. It is admitted that the universe is of innumerable space-points. How, then, can the universe accommodate molecules of infinite and infinite times infinite space points? It is contradictory. Therefore it cannot be infinite. No, there is no inconsistency here. The indivisible particles of matter are capable of taking subtle forms, and in such subtle forms even infinite particles of matter can find accommodation in one space-point. And their pervading capacity is also not affected. Therefore, there is no inconsistency in infinite particles of matter (in a subtle state) dwelling in one spacepoint.
In the previous sutra the forms of matter (pudgalas) are mentioned in general. Hence the space-points mentioned will
85