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Epistemology of Jainas
The four measurements of Avadhi?
There are four factors on which the capacity of avadhi is ascertained. They are time, space, substance (dravya) and mode (bhāva or paryāya). By time and space we mean here, the material objects existing in a particular span of time or area. The two substances of space ākāśa) and time (kála) cannot be perceived by avadhi, as they are immaterial. These four factors excel one after the other in minuteness. It means that avadhi cognizing a certain number of space-units cannot cognize the same number of time units. It requires a higher potency to cognize them. It requires still higher potency for cognizing the same quantity of substance units, and still higher for modes. Space is minuter than time; substance is minuter than space and modes are minuter than substance. The shortest unit of time is samaya and that of space is pradeśa. If the number of space-units covered by a finger-tip (angula) is compared with the same number of samayas, the latter would amount to innumerable utsarpints and avasarpinis. So, with the one unit of time, there are innumerable units of space. With one unit of space there are infinite (ananta) units of substance, and with one unit of substance there are numerable (sarkbyāta) or innumerable (asankhyāta) modes.
With the extension in span of time the area must extend; but there is no certainty vice versa. With the extension of area the span of time may or may not increase. Similarly, with the extension in space and time the substances and modes must increase, but, there is no guarantee vice versa. In the same way the modes must increase with the increase in substance; but, it is not so, if the position is reversed. The proportional development of Avadhi in respect of Time and Space?
We have mentioned above the minimum and maximum area
1. Visesavaśyaka bhāsya G. 611-614 2. Ibid. G. 617-626
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