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Atomic Structure of Matter
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One point of space is the last limit of the division of space, i. e. partless. As pointed out, paraniāņu is partless, it has no inner and outer parts. That is why it is the finest particle of Matter from the point of view of field or locus; it exists only in one space-point. It is a momentary unit in this sense that a samaya or ksana is the indivisible unit of time, so also paramāņu is an indivisible unit of Matter; the movement of a paramāņu from one space-point to another is measured by a samaya or kşaņa (instant), for this reason it is identical with a momentary unit of time. The properties of a paramāņu are also in a state of flux, undergoing transformation. A paramánu is so finest in form that it is touched by air, but it does not touch air. 1
The Jaina Ācāryas of both the Ś vetā mbara and Digambara traditions have used this word “Paramānu” and interpreted it in the following manner : Paramāņu is the cause of the formation of pudgalaskandha (molecule); it comes into being out of the division of skandha at last2. Hence it is the smallest and finest form of Matter and it is permanent. It is eternal from the point of view of substance and non-eternal from that of condition of colour, smell, taste and touch.4 Causative Atom and Ultimate Discrete Atom ( Kāraṇāņu and Anantanu )
Dravyaparamāņu (atom of material substance) is called paramāņupudgala (atomic matter) from the general point of 1. Gayamā ! paramāņupoggale vāyuāeņaṁ phude no vāyu
āye paramānupoggalenam phuậe, BhS., 18. 10. 644. 2. Goyamā ! esa nam poggale titam ceva jāva egaruve siya,
Bhs., 14. 4. 510;
Bhedādaņuḥ, TS., V. 27. 3. Sūksmo nityaśca bhavati paramāņuḥ, Uttarā. Țikā (sānti
Acārya, p. 24. 4. Goyamā ! davvatthayāe sāsae vaạnapajjavehiṁ jāva phāsa
pajjavehim asāsae tenatthenam jā va siya sāsae asāsae, Bhs., 14. 4. 512.
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