Jain Journal 1989 01

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

Page 32

JANUARY, 1989
In the orthodox view, the primoridial infinitesimal atoms begin with an unceasing vibratory motion200 and an inherent impulse which leads them to combine into dyad. The dyads constitute larger molecules, having combined by threes, fours, fives, etc., and the variety of elementary substances. The particular arrangement of them is determined by the physical cause as well as by the unseen force (adṛṣṭa).201 It appears that this view had been originated by Prasastapada.202
101
According to another view maintained by the Vaisesika system, the ultimate atoms possess an inherent tendency to combine with one another, but some combine in pairs, others in triads, others in tetrads, etc., either by the ultimate atoms falling into the groups of threes, fours, etc., direct, or by the successive addition of one atom to each preceeding aggregate. The latter process of combination by the successive addition of one atom to each preceding aggregate is similar to the Jaina view of the formation of dvipradesika-tripradeśika skandhas, etc. Therefore, like the Jaina tripradeśika skandha, the Vaisesika tryaṇuka inheres in three atoms, but not in three dvyaṇukas (dyads). Similarly, the same process of combination of atoms follows in the case of tetrads, pentads, etc.203
Prasastapādabhāṣya states that "the dyads are combined by threes, fours, fives, etc. (tryaṇuka, caturṇuka, etc.) to constitute different isomeric modifications." The variety of earth-substances is due to difference in the arrangement of the molecules (e.g. their greater or less density) and, above all, their grouping or collocation (vyuha, avayavasannivesa), which
200 anavarataparispandamanaparimitapavannadiparamanavah, Raghunathasiromani, vide
P.S.A.H., p. 100.
gatisilatvat patatravyapadesat patantiti, Nyayamanjari, Udayana, vide, P.S.A.H. p. 100.
201 dvyanukaivbahubhirarabhyata ityapi niyamo na....nanvadrstakarita sarvabhavaman, srstik, Nyayakandali of Sridhara Prthivinirupanam, pp. 80-81.
yada caturanukamarabhata caturnam dryanukananamrambhakatrat, cf. Vacaspati's Bhamati, chap II, pada 11, sutra 2.
202 paramanudvyanukesu bahutvasinkhya taivarabdhe karyadiravye tryanukadilaksane, Prasastapadabhasyam, Parimananirupanm, p. 57.
203 caturvidhan naramanavah ksitijatagnivayunam, dvahyam paramanubhyam dyyanukamarabhyate tribhih paramanubhistryanukamarabhyate, etc., Utpala, ch. I, sloka 7, Vrhatsamhita, cf. also Sridhara's admission athava yadi paramanavo dvyannukamarabhya tatsahitastryanukamarabhante tryanukasahitastu, etc., Samkara seems to speak of two binary molecules in the Vaisesika as forming a telrad; vide. P.S.A.H., p. 101.