Nature of Time

Author(s): Nagin J Shah
Publisher: Z_Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_Mahotsav_Granth_Part_1_012002.pdf and Mahavir_Jain_Vidyalay_Suvarna_

Page 20

82 : SHRI MAHAVIRA JAINA VIDYALAYA GOLDEN JUBILEE VOLUME
generally find differences between the two views.83 Let us see what is the real position.
According to the Digambara thinkers, time is atomic in nature. These time-atoms are innumerable. Each time-atom occupies one unit of universe space.84 They do not combine and form molecules as do the atoms of matter. Nor do they constitute one single whole as the Medium of motion (Dharma), Medium of inertia (Adharma) and Space (Akāśa). Though these time-atoms have no spatial extension (tiryakpracaya), they do have temporal extension or monodimensional order (ürdhvapracaya). Only those substances that have spatial extension are termed astikāya. Hence, time is not counted among astikāyas.85 Time-atoms are motionless86 and hence each of them for ever occupy the same unit of universe space (lokākāśa). They are eternal as they are atomic and do not form aggregates.87 Origination, persistence and decay in their case is explained through the origination, persistence and decay of other things.88 Sometimes it is said that they are eternal in the sense that they never give up their own nature and that origination and decay in their case is due to the rhythmic rise and fall of their agurulaghu guna (their special individual quality).89ĀC. Kundakunda maintains that the time-atom undergoes origination, permanence and destruction at one and the same moment.90 Timeatoms are devoid of physical qualities like colour, flavour etc. and in this sense only they are termed amūrta.91 They are subtle and imperceptible.92 They go on assuming different modes all the while. The smallest mode of time-atom is termed samaya'. Each atom has
83 Darsana aur Cintana (Pt. Sukhlalji), p. 332. 84 eura u Gr
1 TUTO trata a 121 Refor I --Dravyasamgraha gātha, 22. 85 Sarvārthasiddhi, p. 312. 86 ... rapat fra :... | -Ibid., p. 313 87 ogi... F14979: / 4 ga faalgtegraaliaa:- Räjavārtika, p. 482. 88 RaaghiaraRI: 1 -Ibid., p. 482 89 ध्रौव्यं तावत् कालस्य स्वप्रत्ययं स्वभावव्यवस्थानात् । व्ययोदयौ परप्रत्ययौ, अगुरुलधुगुणवृद्धिहान्यपेक्षया
au al-Sarvårthasiddhi, p. 312. 90 एगम्हि सन्ति समये संभवठिदिणास सण्णिदा अट्ठा। समयस्स सश्वकालं एस हि कालाणुसब्भावो॥
-Pravacanasāra, II. 51. 91 ufahargfoss Trafitosanidrasle THOR 37488: 1-Rajavārtika, p. 482. 92 Ibid., p. 501.