________________
The Jaina world of Non-living
Anavah Skandhāśca
5.25
The mattergies or Pudgalas have two varieties - (i) Ultimate atoms and (ii) Aggregates. 5.25 1. Ultimate atoms are those entities which have always the capacity to undergo modifications through their spacepoint-limited qualities of touch, taste etc and which are subject to designation of Anus (Atoms) by words. They are very fine. Their points of beginning, center and end are the same. It is said that an entity is called an ultimate atom (Parmānu, Parmāņu Pudgala or Aņu) which is the beginning, center and end in itself, non-perceptible by sense, and indivisible by nature. 2. The aggregates (Skandhas) are entities which have capacities for being perceived, taken and received etc. due to grossness. The conventional verbs are sometimes with proper meaning and sometimes without it. However, it is implied under these cases. Thus, the fine aggregates like di-atomics etc. are also called aggregates despite the fact that they can neither be taken nor received etc. 3. Both the terms in the aphorism 5.25 are in plural number. This denotes that not only the mattergy as a class is infinite but each of its variety - ultimate atoms and aggregates - is also infinite. Each variety represents a class of infinite type of entities by itself. 4. Q. Let there be the aphorism in the form of a single word 'AnuSkandhah' only in place of two words. It will have a short form. A. This is not proper. The two separate words have been used with specific purpose. The first term 'Anavah' refers to aphorism 5.23 which means that ultimate atoms have touch, taste, smell and colour. The second term 'Skandhāh' refers to the aphorism 5.24 which means that sound and other modification there are aggregates. If the two words in the aphorism were not there, such a meaning could not be indicated. 5. Q. It is said that an ultimate atom is an entity which is only the last or ultimate cause of the universe. A. This is not correct. Despite being the ultimate cause, it is also an effect as it is produced by divisions as will be described later in aphorism 5.27. Thus, an ultimate atom is a cause and an effect as well.
232
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
