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Properties of Atom
283
in Aloka (Non-Universe). Thus according to three kinds of resistance, three names have been attributed to the resistance obtained by a paramāņu, viz. vegapratighāta, bandhapariņāmapratighāta and upakārābhavapratighāta. 1
A paramāņu is resisted by another one on the way of its motion because of their respective properties of impassability or impenetrability, when they come into contact with each other in their motion. A paramānu bound by combination with another one or other paramāņus exists collectively with other paramāņus in a skandha (aggregate). In this way it is resisted by its own individual condition. This resistance of a paramāņu. is the cause of the perceptible multifariousness of the Universe. According to the physical sciences also, these interactions give rise to the existence and behaviour of matter in bulk."2 In the movement of an ultimate atom Dharmāstikāya (Principle of Motion) is assistant on account of its support in the motion, so it is to take the support of Dharmāstikāya in its activity and motion. It cannot make any activity and motion without this. support in spite of its having the capacity of making motion and activity.
Dharmāstikāya is co-existensive with the space of the Universe, but it does not exist in the Non-Universe. A paramāņu cannot go there because of being inactive and immobile in the absence of Dharmāstikāya. Therefore, it is resisted and stopped at the last border of the Universe, when it reaches there by making motion in great speed in one samaya.
The following rules of Pratighātatva and Apratighātatva (resistance and non-resistance) emerge out of the discussion on the speed and resistance of paramāņu. If any moving ultimate atom does not meet another moving ultimate atom in its way of motion with any speed, then it cannot be resisted. In this - 1. Yatastrividham pratighātamāmananti bhagavantaḥ, para.
māņūnāṁ bandhapariņāmopakārābhāvavegākhyam,
TS., p. 368. 2. Atoms and the Universe, p. 126.
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