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16
THE PUDGALS (INERT SUBSTANCES)
Asrav means the existence in the jiva of such evils as wrong faith, vowlessness, passions like anger, and bondage, yoga of the mind, body and voice. Asrav is caused by the clinging of karmas to the soul. Those karmas are inert substances. There are mainly eight useful classifications of pudgals. It is on account of the eighth class that the bondage of karma results. Here is an account of the eight combinations.
We have already learnt that the Prithvi (clay, stone etc.), water, fire, air, vegetation etc. are the bodies assumed by the respective jivas. When the jiva dies, it discards the pudgals of which its body is made. Actually, this body becomes lifeless, devoid of consciousness and the intellect. These pudgals again become transformed into living, conscious and sentient forms if jivas receive them and become transformed into the forms they like, or in pieces. If the jiva discards them again, again they become lifeless, devoid of consciousness and intellect. This kind of activity has been going on from times immemorial. The jiva takes up pudgals and gives them the shape of a body; later (in the next life) discarding this body, assumes another body made up of other pudgals.
* THE PARAMANU: (The invisible atoms) :
Anu or Paramanu is the name given to the minutest, indivisible particle of matter. If two atoms combine they form a skanda of two atoms. If three atoms combine, they form a skanda of three atoms. If four combine, they form a skanda of four atoms. In this manner if a certain number of atoms combine, they form a skanda with that number of atoms. If innumerable atoms combine a skanda of innumerable atoms and pradeshas is formed and if infinite number combine, a skanda of infinite atoms and infinite pradeshas appears. The skanda made up of infinite, determined subtle atoms as visualized by the omniscient one is called Vyavaharik Paramanu. According to modern science the atom can be divided. This point authenticates the truth men
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