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The Jaina world of Non-living
The term transformation (Pariņāma) has been used many times earlier. However, it has not been defined. The aphorism 5.42 defines it :
An alternative introduction to this aphorism 5.42 may also be given. The Vaišeșikas postulate attributes as different from the realities. This is not completely agreeable to the Jainas. They point out that the attributes may be different from the realities with respect to name, significance, cause of origination etc. However, as they are not found separately from the realities and they represent transformations in the nature of realities, they are non-different too. Now, what is the definition of transformations, then?
Tad-bhāvah Pariņāmah 5.42 Transformation or modification is defined as a process of undergoing changes of origination and destruction while retaining one's basic nature 5.42. 1. The that-ness (tad-bhāva) is defined as non-deviation of one's specific nature of the realities like medium of motion etc. It is defined as to maintain that-ness. 2. Transformation has already been defined in 5.22. 3. The transformation has two varieties- (I) beginningless or eternal and (ii) beginningful, transient. The eternal transformation is illustrated by function of motion etc. of medium of motion etc. It is not there that the realities of medium of motion etc. are earlier and their functions are later or vice-versa. Their relationship is beginningless. The origination of functions due to external causes are the transient transformation of the same realities. Q. Some scholars postulate beginningless transformations in imperceptible realities like the living being, medium of motion and rest, space and time. In contrast, the perceptible mattergic realities have transformations with beginning. The living ones also have beginningful transformations (due to activity and passions etc.). A. This is not correct. All the realities have to be accepted to possess the dual transformations for their existence, otherwise they will be permanently non-existing.
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