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TIME CONSISTS OF INFINITE INSTANTS
would apply to time also. Therefore, time is mentioned separately here. What is the extent of time if it is manifold? The static (inactive) particles of time exist throughout the universe-space, each time-particle being located in each spacepoint. We quote from the scriptures. "Those innumerable substances, which exist one by one in every unit of the universespace, like heaps of jewels, are the points of time." These are non-material, as these are devoid of qualities such as form (colour).
The extent of real time characterized by instrumentality of change in substances has been described. What is the extent of practical (conventional) time inferred from modifications in substances?
सोऽनन्तसमयः So(a)nantasamayaḥ
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40. It (conventional time) consists of infinite instants. The present consists of one instant. Still time is said to consist of infinite instants, as the instants of the past and the future are infinite. Otherwise, this sutra is intended to determine the extent of real time. Though the point (unit) of time is one, figuratively it is spoken of as infinite, as it is the cause of the continuity of being underlying infinite modes. Further, the instant is the smallest unit of time, and multitudes of instants constitute avalikā etc.
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(40)
The substance has been defined thus. "That which has qualities and modes is a substance.' What are qualities? द्रव्याश्रया निर्गुणा गुणाः
॥ ४१ ॥
Dravyasraya nirgunā guṇāḥ
(41) 41. Those, which have substance as their substratum and which are not themselves the substratum of other attributes, are qualities.
Those, which have substance as their substratum, are 'dravyasraya'. Those without qualities are 'nirguna'. Thus those, which are marked by both these characteristics, are qualities. The qualification 'without attributes' is intended to exclude molecules of two atoms etc. These molecules of
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