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The Jaina world of Non-living
century development. However, this proves one important point that space and time exist only wherever there is matter as agreed by the Jainas. However, according to J. Barbour, time is an illusion in the timeless universe. The arrows of time could be explained by abandoning time by changing our historical ideas radically 13. The other properties of the reality of time will be dealt with under commentary 5.39.
It has been said that body (speech, mind, respiration) etc. are functions or manifestations of mattergic reality (Pudgala). However, many philosophies like Cārvāka and Buddhists define the living as 'mattergic. This creates a doubt about the characteristics of mattergy They are, therefore, described in the following aphorism :
Sparśarasagandhavarşavantah Pudgalāh 5.23
Touch, taste, smell and colour are the characteristics of mattergy 5.23. 1. The property of touch has been mentioned first because it is most predominantly experienced in objects. All objects have predominant touch. It is manifested first among all contactile sense organs. Moreover, this property is also comprehended by all worldly living beings. 2. Q. If predominance of objectivity is the criteria of mentioning the property of touch as first, the property of taste should be taken as first on the score that it is experienced even by those who are devoid of (or indifferent for) enjoying the sense of touch. A. This is not correct. The manifestation of taste is possible only in presence of the property of touch. As it is experienced after touch, it has been given the second place in the aphorism. 3. Q. The Vaišeşikas argue that air manifests touch but it does not possess the succession of taste manifestation. Hence, the above logic is fallacious. A. This argument is not correct as the Jainas agree that taste is present in air. All the four properties like colour etc. mentioned in the aphorism have an inseparable relationship with touch. (They are
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