Primer of Jain Principles

Author(s): Kirit Gosalia
Publisher: Kirit Gosalia

Page 17

31. Explain the 'medium of rest' (Adharmasti kaya).
The soul and matter can move by themselves. The substance that helps them stop while they are in motion is called medium of rest. It is present as an inactive substance, e.g., a person is walking in the hot sun. He desires to rest. At that time the shade of a tree helps provide him comfort. Here the person is stopping by himself and the shade of tree is inactive in the process.
32. What is the 'space' (Akash)?
It provides the accomodation necessary to the soul, matter, time, medium of motion, and medium of rest to occupy.
33. What is the time' (Kal)?
Every substance keeps on changing all the time by itself. During this change, the substance that is present as an instumental cause (Nimitt) is called the time. The time is merely passively present during the changes occurring in the substance, e.g., the presence of the central nail in the pot maker's wheel. Here the wheel moves by itself. The nail is passively present in the process of movement of the wheel.
34. How many different types of 'times' are there?
There are two types:
1. Absolute time (Nischaya kal) 2. Practical time (Vyavahar kal)
35. What is absolute time' (Nischaya kal)?
The substance 'time' itself is called the absolute time.
36.
What is practical time' (Vyavahar kal)?
The substance 'time' has modes such as seconds, minutes, hours, days and months. These modes are called the practical times.