________________
Jaina Conception pf Matter
by vibration or oscillation (parispandana). Vibration is the nature of Matter; activity takes place in it due to this vibrating nature and it is capable of being active. Only by its capacity of vibration (parispandana śaktiguna). Therefore, it is active by its own capacity.2
In regard to the integrating and disintegrating nature of Matter it has been pointed out that the name 'Pudgala' is attributed to Matter because of its nature of integration and disintegration.3 A name is given to a thing according to its nature and activity.4 Matter integrates and disintegrates; the first cause of it is paramāņu (ultimate atom), i. e. paramāņu is the ultimate finest eternal cause and last unit of Matter. On account of their mutual touch or contact one paramāņu sometimes integrates with another, and being united, again it sometimes disintegrates from a skandha (molecule) or combination in accordance with some scientific rules and so on. This process of integration and disintegration of paramāņus takes place due to the integrating and disintegrating nature of Matter (Pudgala). Paramāņus, being combined thus, transform themselves into the form of oneness. The name of this form of one state is called
39
1. Pudgalāstu parispandasvabhavatvāt parispandena bhinna saṁghātenā, saṁhatā punarbhedenotpadyamānāvatiṣṭhamanabhajyamānā kriyāvantaśca bhavanti-Pravacanasara, II, 37, Pradipikāvṛtti, p. 182.
2. Samarthyāt sakriyau jIvapudgalaviti niscayaḥ, Tattvärtha Ślokavārtika, 5.7-2, p. 398.
3. Pudgalaśabdo nirdiṣṭārthaḥ (40) Pudgalaśabdasyartho nirdistaḥ puṁgilanāt pūraṇagalanādvā pudgala iti, -TRV., p. 474.
4. Püryante galanti ca
Pudgalāḥ dhātostadarthātiśayena yogaḥ mayūrabhramarādivat--Śrutasagara Vṛtti, Vide Jaina Padarthavijñāna men Pudgala, Mohalal Bathia, p. 25. 5. Kāraṇameva tadantyam sūkṣmo nityaśca bhavati paramāņuḥ ekarasagandha varno, dvisparśaḥ kāryaliṁgaśca -Arya, TS. Bhā., p. 365.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
