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tion; but the enumeration is commonly fourteen, like the modification of vitality. They are Dharmȧstikáya, Adharmastikaya, and Ákásástikaya, each comprehending three varieties. Kála, or time, is the tenth; and Pudgala, or elementary matter, in four modifications, completes the series.
RELIGIOUS SECTS
It is not very easy to understand these technicalities, for the etymology of the words is of little avail. Astikaya indicates the existence of body, "Body is"; whilst Dharma signifies virtue, and Adharma, vice; but Dharma means also peculiar function or office, in which sense it seems to be here intended, thusDharmastikaya is defined to be that which facilitates the motion of animate or inanimate bodies, as water for fish. Adharmastikaya is that which impedes or stops their motion. Ákásástikáya is the principle of repulsion, that which keeps bodies separate, or space: the varieties of these are only in degree, of little, more, and complete. Time is sufficiently intelligible, but the Jains indulge in modifications of it infinitely more extravagant than those for which the Hindus are reproached; thus after enumerating days, weeks, months, and years, we have the Palya*, or Palyopama, a period measured by the time in which a vast well, one hundred Yojans every way, filled with minute hairs so closely packed that a river might be hurried over them without penetrating the interstices, could be emptied at the rate of one hair in a century. A
*
[See Hemachandra's Abhidh. 132, and p. 304.]
