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THE DIFFERENTIA OF TIME
the characteristics of time are also of two kinds, general and particular. The distinctive characteristic of time is assisting in the changes of substances, and the general characteristics are such as inanimateness, imperceptibility, subtlety and individuality (agurulaghu guna). The modes characterized by origination and destruction must be understood. Thus both the definitions of substances are applicable to time. Therefore, it is established that time is a substance like space. The proof of its existence has been declared, as in the case of the medium of motion etc. The differentia of time is instrumentality in the changes of substances.
Why is time mentioned separately? This also must have been mentioned along with the medium of motion and so on, that is in the first sutra, The non-soul substances are the medium of motion, the medium of rest, space and matter'. But it should not be considered thus. If time had been included there, plurality of space-points would apply to it. That is undesirable, as we cannot attribute multitude of space-points to time either really or conventionally. With regard to the medium of motion etc., multitude of space-points has been mentioned from the real point of view. For instance, it has been described that the media of motion and rest, space and a single soul are of innumerable space-points. Similarly, multitude of space-points is attributed to the atom with a single space-point figuratively from a certain point of view (pūrvottarabhāva prajñāpana naya). But for time there is no multitude of space-points from both points of view. Therefore, there is no spatiality (kā yatva) for time.
Now a question is raised. In the seventh sutra, These are also without activity', the three substances, the modium of motion, the medium of rest and space are said to be without activity. This would imply that time is characterized by activity in the same manner as souls and forms of matter. So time must have been included in the sixth sutra before space. No, it is not so. Time should not have been included there. ‘Up to space each is one substance (a single continuum).' So (if time were included there), one substance (a single continuum)
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