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The Jaina world of Non-living
6. The word 'ca' in the aphorism 5.7 is meant to indicate reference to the three single realities of the aphorism 5.6. Thus, while the realities of medium of motion and rest and space are inert, the other two realities of mattergy and the living entities are active internally and externally as well. 7. The Vaišeșikas point out that the reality of soul or living should be inert because it is all pervasive. It may cause action in others (like hand etc.) due to its inherence with attribute of causes of motion (like effort and conjunction etc.).
Their contention is not correct. The soul is active by self like air. Air moves by self and causes plants to move. Similarly, the soul is active by self due to energy resulting through the fruition of physique - making karma of space movement and limbs-sublimbs caused by destructioncum-subsidence of energy-obstructing and knowledge-obscuring karmas. The inactive soul cannot cause action in other substances like hand etc. 8-9. Moreover, it is seen that the inactive space reality cannot cause activity in substances like pitcher etc. accommodated in it. Similarly, the inactive soul can also not cause activity in hands etc. despite being connected with it. Further, the Vaišeșika Sūtra 5.1.1 points out that qualities like connections and efforts are inactive inherently. Hence, the combination of two inert entities cannot cause activity in the third entity. It could be illustrated by the fact that the association of two born-blind men cannot have the power of seeing an object. 10. Q. The connection with fire is based on its hotness. It causes change in colour etc. of pitcher etc. during baking. However, there is no activity in fire itself. Similarly, the connection between soul and efforts is based on unprecedented mystical force called 'Adrsta' and it causes activity in the hands etc. and not in the soul. Hence, the soul is inactive. A. This is not so. This logic proves what is desirable for us. The connection with fire is a property of tangible substances. This causes colour change etc. in tangible pitcher etc. Similarly, the connection of soul and efforts also produce activity in hands etc. Therefore, they should also be the attributes of tangible and active realities. This logic proves the active nature of soul which is what the Jainas postulate.
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