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Elaboration Samavatar means assimilation or inclusion. To assimilate smaller into the larger is Samavatar. This is of three types—
(1) Atmasamavatar (self-dependent assimilation)According to Nishchaya naya (noumenal viewpoint) the entity jiva (soul) does not exist in any state other than its own, the jiva-state. That is why its assimilation is possible only in the soul-state. If a soul could be assimilated in ajiva (non-soul), the process would alter its intrinsic attributes and thereby making it unreal.
(2) Parasamavatar (assimilation dependent on others)—According to Vyavahar naya (phenomenal viewpoint), besides being self-dependent every entity is also dependent on other entities. For example berry in a bowl' although the berry in question is self-dependent as regards its existence, it also exists as a dependent on the bowl in this context.
(3) Tadubhayasamavatar (assimilation dependent on self and others both) This kind of assimilation is inclusive of both. The existence of a thing is self-dependent according to Nishchaya naya (noumenal viewpoint) but at the same time it is dependent on other things according to Vyavahar naya (phenomenal viewpoint) For example—'pillar in a building'. As pillar is essentially a part of the building it is included in the building. However, at the same time it is also included in its independent definition as a pillar.
In an alternative theory there are said to be only two kinds of assimilation—-(1) Atmasamavatar (self-dependent assimilation), and (2) Tadubhayasamavatar.
In absence of atmasamavatar (self-dependent assimilation) it is not possible to have parasamavatar (assimilation dependent on others). The question-'Where each substance exists?' is answered from both Nishchaya (noumenal) as well as Vyavahar (phenomenal) nayas (viewpoints) From the first naya the answer is—each substance exists in its own form or state. From the second naya the answer is that like berries in a bowl every substance exists in its own state as also dependent on other substances. Wall, door-step, platform, pillar and other such things exist as components of a building (dependent existence) but at the same time they also exist in their specifically defined forms or states (independent existence).
वक्तव्यता-प्रकरण
(397)
The Discussion on Vaktavyata
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