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_

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NATURE OF TIME : 83
infinite such modes.93 Though other substances require time as an auxiliary cause in the emergence of their modes, time itself does not require any other substance as an auxiliary cause in the production of its modes.
The Time substance according to the concerned Svetām bara thinkers is generally described as follows. Their Time substance is confined to the space inhabited by human beings (manusyakşetra). Though it is confined to this much space it works as an auxiliary cause of minute changes throughout the universe-space. Time performs its work with the help of the motion of heavenly luminaries. This motion is available in the human region only.94 A verse found in the Lokaprakāśa95 gives scope to interpret this view as follows. Their Time substance pervades the whole universe-space. Hence it works as an auxiliary cause in the changes of the substances throughout the universe-space. But it is not manifested in various divisions or measures like samaya, avalikā, muhūrta, day, etc. everywhere in the whole of universe-space. It is manifested only in the human region. It is because it requires for its manifestation the motion of heavenly luminaries which is not available outside the human region. When interpreted thus this view becomes indentical, in so far as these points are concerned, with the Digambara view. Even Digambara thinkers maintain that manifestations or divisions of Time substance that are due to the motion of the sun are confined to human region only, because the motion of the sun is not available outside that region.96 On the other hand, the ground of these manifestations or modes (namely Time substance) as also its modes not dependent on the motion of the sun are there in the whole of the universe (loka). Generally scholars maintain that their Time substance is not atomic. But I am unable to find any positive support from the works of the concerned śvetāmbara thinkers. On the contrary, Ac. Hemacandra, an eminent svetāmbara master, seems to embrace the Digambara
93 Darśana aur Cintana, pp. 332-333. 94 Ibid., p. 332. 95 ferg 475*ife arif2047 24271: 1 et a fan ni aligita: 9throaa!XXVIII. 19,
Study the Tattvärthabhāsya on sūtra 'aria: 172737:1' (IV.5). Here it
is: Ter ( RT) fahrt ufarului la fauna:... 96 एवं सवितुरनुसमयगतिप्रचयापेक्षया आवलिकोच्छ्वास-प्राण-स्तोक-लव-नालिकामुहूर्ताहोरात्र-पक्ष-मासत्वायना
दिसवितृगतिपरिवर्तनकालवर्तनया व्यवहारकालो मनुष्यक्षेत्र सम्भवतीत्युच्यते, तत्र ज्योतिषां गतिपरिणामात्, न afe:, faqattformart safareiRajavärtika, p. 482.