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The Concept of Matter in Jaina Philosophy
odour are the chemical properties in the matter as they are closely correlated with the chemical nature of the material substances. „Infinite classes of Matter
There are stated to be infinite classes of matter with regard to its jāti (category)-anujāti ultimate atom) and skandhajāti (molecule). All ultimate atoms are not of the same conditions. All the conditions of qualities of colour, taste, smell and touch do not exist in one ultimate atom. There may exist in one ultimate atom any one colour, any one taste, any one smell and any two unopposed touches between warm-cold and cohesive-dry. Ultimate atoms in which similar colour, taste, smell and two touches exist will be stated to be belonging to one jāti (category). Similarly, ultimate atoms are of different jāti (category) due to the cause of possible combinations of the sub-divisions of colour, taste, smell and touch. Like this skandha (aggregate) is of various jātis (category). In the Rājavārtika, while commenting on the aphorism “Āņavaḥ skandha-Śca”, Akalanka explains it in this manner; "Ubhayātra jātyapekşam bahuvacanam-anantabhedā'api pudgalā aṇujātyā skandhajātyā ca". In this sūtra the use of these plural words “anavah' and 'skandhāḥ" has been made from the point of view of jāti. Matter is of infinite classes from the point of view of aņujāti and skandh ajātis. He has explained it further by stating ; "dvaividhyamāpadyamānāḥ sarve gļhyanta iti tajjātyādhārānantabhedasamsūcanārtham bahuvacanai kriyate."
Infinite classes of Matter2 are discussed from the state of
1. Bhs., 25. 4. 740; Ubhayātra jātyapeksam bahuvacana (3)
anantabhedā'api pudgalā aṇujātyā skandhajātyā ca dvaividhyamāpadyamānāḥ sarve gļhyanta iti tajjātyādhārānantabhedasamsūcanārthaṁ bahuvacanan kriyate,
RV., p. 491. 2. Bhs., 25. 4, 740; BhS. 20. 5. 670; TS., p. 439.
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