Jain Journal 1988 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

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According to Jaina philosophy, paramāņu pudgalas is called only paramāņu99 or dravya-paramāņu100 (atom of material substance). This conception shows the atomic growth of matter as found in the physical sciences. Paramāņu is a substance possessing guna (quality) and paryāya (mode);101 it is existent in the universe (loka) and non-existent in the nonuniverse (aloka) and it cannot go there.102 Besides, it exists individually in one space-point as a discrete unit of matter it occupies one point of space, but it cannot occupy two or more space-points, it can exist together with other paramāņus in one space-point103 by its capacity of samkoca (capacity of becoming fine or of contraction). It is traikālika (existing in three points of time-past, present and future);104 it is endowed with the properties-colour, taste, smell, and touch,105 as these four qualities are called bhāvas (attributes or capacities) of paramāņus.1
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The quantity of paramāņu will remain the same as it is for ever107 without loss or destruction, increase or decrease in number. No new paramāņu will be self-generated nor will be produced by anybody. In the past no new paramāņu was produced, no new one is produced at present and no new one will be produced in future. 108 Paramāņu pudgala (atom) observes the principle of 'utpadavyayadhravyayuktam sat' (existence is characterized by origination, destruction and permanence).109 It is existent from the point of view of asti (self-existence or existentiality).110
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Bhagavati Vyakhyaprajnapti, sataka 14, uddesaka 4, sutra 513; sataka 20, uddesaka 6, sutra 670, see its Tika also.
Ibid., sataka 20, uddesaka 6, sutra 670; sataka 18, uddesaka 6, sutra 631.
100 Ibid., sataka 20, uddesaka 6, sutra 670.
101 Ibid., sataka 14, uddesaka 4, sutra 512; sataka 18, uddesaka 6, sutra 631. 102 Ibid., sataka 2, uddesaka 10, sutra 121.
103 Paramanukhandasattrimsika by Ratnasimhasuri, Vrtti, p. 2;
JAIN JOURNAL
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Sarvarthasiddhi by Acarya Pujyapada, see the commentary on ch. V. sutra 14. 104 Bhagavati Vyakhyaprajnapti, sataka 14, uddesaka 4, sutra 510; see its Tika also. 105 Ibid., sataka 8, Uddesaka 6, sutra 631 ; sataka 20, uddesaka 5, sutra 683.
106 Ibid., sataka 20, uddesaka 5, sutra 670.
107 Ibid., sataka 3, uddesaka 10, sutra 119; sataka 14, uddesaka 14, sutra 510. 108 Ibid., sataka 2, uddesaka 10, sutra 118;
Tattvarthadhigamasutra by Umasvati, prathama vibhaga, ch. V. sutra 3; see its auto-commentary, p. 322.
109 Tattvarthadhigamasutra by Umasvati, prathama vibhaga, ch. V, sutra 29, p. 374. 110 Ibid., p. 381.