________________
The Jaina world of Non-living
A. They have been mentioned separately as they are mutually relative. One occurs with reference to the other.
29. Q. Why the term 'continued existence' (vartana) has been taken in the first place?
A. This has been taken in the first place as it is the most important one. The absolute time is ascertained by this term. The apparent time is also based on this. Thus, the first term has a high prominence. Supplementary Notes
The commentary deals with the following points: Etymological and general meaning of the terms used in the
1.
(a)
aphorism.
(b)
The continuity of existence (vartana) is inferred from the regularity of originating and destroying modifications of the realities. It is the differentia of absolute time.
(c) The existential continuity cannot be due to solar or planetary motion as this motion observes a time schedule. It is symbolic of time. It can also not be due to spatial spacepoints as they may serve as substratum but they cannot assist the continuity of and minute changes in realities. The continuity could also not be due to being-in-existence only as it assists the being-inexistence. In fact, the time-assisted continuity defines the beingin-existence.
(d)
The natural or non-natural changes in a reality, where one mode disappears and other appears, is known as modification. This represents modal state rather than substantive state. The modifications have two varieties - beginningful and beginningless (natural and non-natural). Modes of the living beings are different types of volitions while modes of mattergy are rainbow, colour of the pots etc.
(e) The following common questions have been considered on logical grounds:
(i)
Does seed reside in the sprouts ?
(ii)
Is the seed different from the sprouts ?
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