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FUNCTION OF SPACE
143
(18)
For there is no difference of opinion among the learned of all schools of thought on this point. Indeed all men of wisdom admit the existence of objects visible and invisible. Further, the reason advanced by the disputant is fallacious as far as we are concerned. For non-material substances such as the media of motion and rest are perceived by the omniscient with his perfect knowledge (knowledge par excellence). These are also understood by the saints well-versed in the scriptures from the teachings of the omniscient.
If the existence of the media of motion and rest which are beyond the reach of the senses is established from their functions, from what function is the existence of invisible space to be inferred ?
आकाशस्यावगाहः
Akāšasyāvagāhaḥ 18. (The function) of space (is to provide accommodation, *Assistance' (upakāra) is supplied from the previous sutra. The assistance rendered by space is to give room to other substances such as souls and matter. Now, it is proper to say that space gives room to souls and forms of matter which are characterized by activity. But the media of motion and rest are inactive and eternally pervasive. And how can penetration apply to these substances? The objection is untenable, as penetration is established by convention. For instance, space is spoken of as pervading everywhere, although there is no movement. This is because space exists everywhere. Similarly, though there is no penetration by the media of motion and rest, it is attributed conventionally as these permeate the entire universe-space.
Another question is raised. If the characteristic of space is to give room for other objects, then there would be no obstruction of objects such as stones by steel, adamant and so on and of cows and others by walls etc. But there is obstruction. Hence it is destitute of the nature of giving room for other things. But this objection is untenable. The obstruction in the instances given is mutual between gross objects like stoel and stones. So this does not affect the capacity of space to
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