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The Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
IMPENETRABILITY It is a property of Matter by virtue of which two bodies cannot occupy the same space at the same time. In regard to this property there arises the contradiction in the Jaina conception of impassability or impenetrability of ultimate atom (paramāņu), for there can exist one to infinite ultimate atoms or molecules in one space-point in a subtle form.
Extension : It is the property of Matter by virtue of which every body occupies some definite space. As an astikāyadravya (extensive substance) Matter has existence as well as extensive magnitude; even an ultimate atom has the property of extension of one space-point.2
Divisibility ( Bhedatva ): It is the property of Matter by virtue of which a material substance can be sub-divided into extreme minute parts. Even greater sub-division of the particles of Matter takes place when a scent or perfume spreads out in air. A ketaki flower smells out for hours without any visible changes in mass. Its smell spreads through the air. Neither the ketaki flower nor the core of it blows with the air, but the finest division (atom of smell) of matter blows with the air.3 That is why there is found the smell pervading the atmosphere and the air surcharged with it.
Porosity4 : It is the property of Matter by virtue of which one material substance enters or diffuses into another easily and rapidly; all bodies contain pores more or less; these pores point to spaces intervened between one cluster of molecules and another, e. g. solid, ash or sand, liquid water, gas etc. 1. Paramānupoggale naṁ Bhamte asidhāram vā khuradhāram
vā ogāhejjā...no tiņatthe samatthe, no khalu tattha sattham
kamai, Bhs., 5. 7. 213; 20.5. 670. 2. Bhs., 1.3.4.481 ; TS., ch. V.1. 3. No kotthae vāti javāu. no keyai vāti ghānasahagatā poggalā
vāti, Bhs., 16.6.59. 4. Bhs., 1.6.55 ; RV., p. 465.
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