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SPATIAL UNITS OF FORMS OF MATTER
9. The units of space are infinite.
Space pervades both the universe and the non-universe. Infinite means endless. What is infinite? The space-points of ākāśa or space are infinite. The idea of space-points is to be understood as in the previous instance.
The extent of space-points of non-material substances has been mentioned. Now the space-points of forms of matter must be ascertained.
संख्येयासंख्येयाश्च पुद्गलानाम् Il poll
Samkhyeyāsamkhyeyāśca pudgalānām (10) 10. (The space-points) of forms of matter are numerable and innumerable also.
The particle 'ca' in the sutra includes infinite times infinite also. Some molecules of matter have countable space-points, some others countless and yet others infinite space-points. It is contended that infinite times infinite should be mentioned in the sutra. But it is untenable. For the latter (infinite times infinite) is based on the former (infinite). Infinite is of three kinds, paritānantam, yuktānantam and anantānantam.
All these are based on the infinite which is common. A contention arises. It is admitted that the universe is of innumerable space-points. How, then, can the universe accommodate molecules of infinite and infinite times infinite spacepoints? It is contradictory. Therefore it cannot be infinite. No, there is no inconsistency here. The indivisible particles of matter are capable of taking subtle forms, and in such subtle forms even infinite particles of matter can find accommodation in one space-point. And their pervading capacity is also not affected. Therefore, there is no inconsistency in infinite particles of matter (in a subtle state) dwelling in one space-point.
In the previous sutra the forms of matter (pudgalas) are mentioned in general. Hence the space-points mentioned will
1 The space in which the other substances are found is called the universe or loka. The empty space outside the universe is called the non-universe or aloka. In the non-universe, space alone exists without the other five substances, namely the souls, the medium of motion, the medium of rest, matter and time.
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