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The Jaina world of Non-living
(iii) is the seed fixed in the sprouts ? These illustrations indicate that if absolutist view is accepted, there can never be modifications. However, the logic of absolutism does not apply to the polyviewists where substantive and modal standpoints answer these questions satisfactorily and in practical way. (f) The growth of sprout from seed can easily be explained on basis of other factors like water, soil minerals, sunlight etc. assimilated by the seed instead of from the seed alone. This can neither be explained on the basis of permanence or momentariness of the reality. Many flaws have been indicated. (g) The natural and non-natural activity is defined as translational or vibrational motion due to internal and external causes. The resting or non-translational activity is modification while activity is only translational motion. The two terms indicate two different types of activities. (h) The priority and posteriority are applicable in case of location, laudation and time. However, these terms have been used here with reference to time only. (i) The use of four terms as functions of time in 5.22 are meant to show that there are two varieties of time - apparent and absolute. The absolute time is in the form of free time-atoms spread in one-to-one correspondence over the spatial spacepoints. The time-atoms have following properties : (i) The are indivisible, partless, mono-spacepointal. (ii) They are permanent-cum-changing. (iii) They are non-material and inert.
The apparent time is relative and is also the cause of knowing others. The present, past and future are relative and apparent times. It is used for knowing about the duration of karmas, this -worldly life-span and other-worldly life-spans etc. (J) The activity only cannot be termed as time as if there is no time as separate entity, how one could call the popularly used units of time like Muhūrta etc.
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