Jain Journal 1988 10

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

Page 40

OCTOBER, 1988
of this force atoms begin to move in order to combine into countless varieties of objects. The non-creative motion is produced in this way when a body is dissolved by a violent shaking or impact, the effect of which sets the atoms of the dissolved body in motion. The motion generates in the atoms in turn the property of impulse (vega) which keeps them going, i.e., vibrating (spandana) continually during the whole period of cosmic rest.141
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In Jaina philosophy motion of matter is defined as that action which causes the movement of ultimate atoms up to that of skandha (molecule) having anantapradeśas (infinite units of matter).142 Paramāņu is active and dynamic, but it is not always active or moving; sometimes it is active, sometimes it is non-active.143 Its activity is accidental.144 There are stated to be many kinds of movement of a paramāņu. It sometimes vibrates (revolves); sometimes it makes various vibrations till it undergoes transformation.145 Paramanus are always in a state of flux by their acts of vibration (revolving), motion and combination with one another to transform themselves into skandhas (molecules), hence it is explained that a paramāņu may or may not vibrate and transform itself into the state of vibration.146
A paramānu can make desantaragāmīkriyā (activity or movement of going to another place) from one space-point to another one. While making vibrating movement, it can make also deśāntantaragāmikriyā. Its motion can take place together with movements like vibration, etc.147 Hence the question arises how does a paramāņu existing in one space-point make vibration? In the usual sense the meaning of the word 'eyati' is vibration, but it is not desirable here, for in that case there takes place the movement of a paramāņu from one space-point beyond it. Therefore, a paramāņu existing in one point of space can make only revolving movement, but revolution should be without any axis, because there cannot be the conception of axis in paramānu. It is itself axis.
141 Nyayakusumanjalibodhini, p. 91; vide Studies in Nyaya-Vaisesika Metaphysics, p. 147.
142 Prajnapanasutra, purvarddha; see its Tika of Malayagiri, published by Agamodayasamiti, Nirnayasgara Press, Bombay, 1918, pada 16, sutra 205, pp. 326-27. 143 Bhagavati Vyakhyaprajnapti, sataka 5, uddesaka 7, sutra 213.
144 Ibid. It shows that the motion of paramanu is relative, it is sometimes stable and
sometimes unstable like the nuclei of atom of the physical sciences.
145 Ibid., sataka 5, Uddesaka 7, sutra 213.
146 Ibid.
147 Ibid., sataka 3, uddesaka 3, sutra 153; see the commentary of Sri Abhayadevasuri on this sutra.