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VARIATION IN PERVASION OF SPACE BY THE LIVING
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It has been said that each soul is of the same units of space as the universe. How, then, can a soul reside in one unit of space (the universe-space divided into innumerable parts)? Should not each soul permeate the entire universe ?
प्रदेशसंहारविसर्पाभ्यां प्रदीपवत् Pradeśasamhāravisarpābhyām pradipavat (16) 16. (It is possible) by the contraction and expansion of the space-points (of a soul) as in the case of the light of a . lamp.
The soul which is non-material somehow assumes material form on account of beginningless bondage. And it dwells in small or big bodies on account of its karmic body by contraction and expansion as the light of the lamp. Therefore, the soul can dwell in one, two, etc. of the innumerable parts of the universe. The light of a lamp lit in an open space extends far and wide. But it extends only to the limit of a dish or a roum in which the lamp is placed.
It is contended that the medium of motion and the rest will become one by their commingling with one another because of their reciprocal spatial interpenetration. But it is not so. Though there is reciprocal commingling of the substances, these do not give up their intrinsic nature. “All the substances interpenetrate, they give space (accommodation) to one another, and they commingle with one another. Yet these never give up their own nature."
If so let the distinction in their nature be mentioned.
. गतिस्थित्युपग्रही धर्माधर्मयोरुपकारः
Gatisthityupagrahau dharmādharmayorupakāraḥ (17) 17. The functions of the media of motion and rest are to assist motion and rest respectively.
Moving from one place to another is motion. The opposite of this is rest. Motion and rest are motion and rest. That which helps in motion and rest alone is assisting in motion and rest. The media of motion and rest constitute the subject. Assisting is assistance. What is it? Assisting in motion and in rest.
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