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The Jaina world of Non-living
absolute time. This is itself ascertained by modifications in others and it causes ascerainment of other substances. 25. There are three popular types of apparent time- past, present and future. They are proved on the basis of mutual reference. It can be illustrated by the example of a person (Devadatta) who follows the line of trees and crosses each tree in due course. He is said to have crossed (the earlier tree), crossing (the current tree) and will cross the next tree. Similarly, there is the apparent time designation of past, present and future in case of substances following time-instants in order and maintaining their mode of continued existence.
In case of absolute time, the designation of past etc. is secondary. However, it is primary in case of apparent time. This designation is mutually referring too. A substance undergoing motion approaches the time-instant. It is said to be present due to its relationship with the existence of present time through that time-instant. Similarly, that time-instant is also called present time as it causes existence of the substances related with it. The same moving substance is called past when it has experienced the continued existential relationship with time. That time-instant is also similarly called past time. The moving substance is called the future when it will experience the continued existential. relationship with time. Similarly, the time-instant will also be called the future time.
Similarly, there is apparent time in the human region of the universe in terms of different units like Āvalikā, Ucchavāsa, Prāņa, Stoka, Lava, Nālikā, Muhūrta, Ahorātra, Fortnight, Month, Seasons and Ayanas etc. due to solar motion every instant. This is possible due to their motions in this part of the universe. This apparent time is not found outside this region as these astral bodies have no movements there. This solar-motion-based time is utilized in knowing about the minimum, medium and maximum karmic durations, worldly-duration and current longevity of the
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