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FUNCTION OF MATTER
give room to other objects. In the instances given, obstruction is offered by the objects only and not by space. Further steel, wall, etc., are gross objects and they do not give room to each other. This is not the fault of space. Subtle forms of matter do give room to each other. If it is so, this is not the special characteristic of space, as this is present in others also. But there is no contradiction in this.
The capacity to allow common accommodation to all substances is the special characteristic of space. It cannot be said that this characteristic is absent in the non-universe space, for no substance gives up its own inherent nature.
The help rendered by space has been described. Then what is the help rendered by matter?
grattatema:ANOTTAT: EGTATA 1188 11
Šariravānmanaḥprāṇāpānāḥ pudgalānāın (19) 19. (The function) of matter (is to form the basis) of the body and the organs of speech and mind and respiration.
This is improper. What is improper ? To the question, 'What is the help rendered by matter?', the definition of matter is given, namely that bodies etc. are the modes of matter. No, it is not improper. The definition of matter is described later as that which is characterized by touch, taste, smell and colour. But here the help rendered by forms of matter to souls is described. The bodies such as the gross ones etc., have been described already. Some of them are invisible because they are subtle. Others are visible.
The karmic matter which is the cause of these bodies is also included in the term bodies. Taking karma as matter, the forms of matter are said to render help to the souls (living beings). But some say that karma is non-material, as it has no form like space. Only gross bodies having forms can be considered material. But it is not so. Karma is material only, for its fruition depends on the contact of material objects. For instance, paddy etc. ripen on contact with water and other things which are material. In the same manner karmas also ripen in the presence of molasses, thorns, etc. Hence
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