Jaina World of Non Living

Author(s): N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

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The Jaina world of Non-living
23. Q. It is opined that if accommodation is the characteristic of space, this is not observable in case of non-universe space. Hence, it can not be designated as space. A. This is not so. The non-universe space has the capacity of accommodation. It does not matter whether it accommodates or not. For example, the future time may be far away but sometimes it has the capacity to attain the nature of the present. Thus, it is called future time though it is not attained. Similarly, though there are no realities to be accommodated in the non-universe space, however, the capacity to do so is there. Thus, it is also called space because of its accommodation power.
Alternatively, the term may be taken as conventional here to mean space despite absence of accommodation as the word 'go' (verbmovement) means a cow despite the fact whether it moves or not. The conventionalism is a great force. 24. The term 'Pudgala' (Mattergy) is an etymological term as it is the entity which undergoes combination and decombination. The Sanskrta term 'Bhāskara' means sun because it illuminates or lights (the objects). Thus, it is an etymological term. Similarly, the term 'Pudgala' is also etymological as it undergoes combination and decombination through association, dissociation and mixed processes. This is also an indeclinable and irregular word like the word smaśāna (burial place or crematorium) which means a sleeping place for dead bodies. 25. Q. It is opined that as the atoms are constituentless, they can not have properties of combination or decombination. Thus, they can not be designated as pudgala (mattergy). A. This is not correct. Their mattergic nature is proved with respect to their attributes. The atoms possess attributes of touch, taste, smell and colour. The intensity of colour etc. may increase from one unit to 2,3,4, numerable, innumerable and infinite units. The intensity may decrease also to lower values. Thus, they are called mattergy as their attributes undergo increase (association) and decrease (dissociation).
Alternatively, the term 'attribute' is a formal word. It involves capacity also. The atoms have capacity for association and dissociation,
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