________________
99
Time : : which forms the basis of the Phenomenal Time is the Niscaya Kāla or Noumenal Time."
What is this Noumenal Time, Niśçaya Kāla, Dravya Kāla or Paramārtha Kāla, as. it is variously called ? The Jaina philosophers say that the Noumenal Time is established by Vartanā:
वट्टगलक्खों य परमछों । २९ द्रव्यसंग्रहः What is Vartanā ? The author of the Tattvārtha-sāra describes Vartanā in the following way:
अन्तर्णीतैकसमया, प्रतिद्रव्यविर्ययान्। अनुभूति: स्वसत्तायाः स्मृता सा खलु वर्तना।। The author of the Rāja-vārtika makes the meaning of the expression Vartanā clear by saying:
एकस्मिन्नविभागिनि समय धर्मादीनी द्रव्याणि षडपि स्वपर्यायः आदिमदनादिमद्भिरुत्पादव्ययध्रौ व्यविकल्यैर्वर्तन्त इति ककृत्वा तद्विषया
Each of the six substances, Dharma, etc., has many modes, some originating, some decaying and some persisting. The substantiality or the Dravya-hood of a thing consists in its persisting in existence with its modes. There is an indivisible duration of Time in which this substantiality, of a thing i.e. its continuity amidst changing modes may be perceived. Vartanā has for its object this continuity amidst
The question, of course, may be: Why should we go behind the Phenomenal Time and posit the existence and reality of a Transcendental Time ? Brahmadeva in reply to this objection points out that Samaya, as shown before, has a beginning and an end. It is accordingly a Paryāya, an evanescent state, which is impossible without a Dravya or persisting substance behind it, as its material cause and support. Food, for instance, is a Prayāya, an effect; although fire, fuel etc. are operating conditions towards its production, it points to rice as the Dravya or the substantial cause A potter, his wheel, etc. are no doubt necessary for the production of an earthen pitcher; yet it refers to clay, as its Dravya cr material cause. Lastly, one is, á human being, sometimes; he remains in hell or heaven, sometimes. These states suppose some substance i.e. the soul which persists in these states. It is thus that any phenomenon which is a Paryāya always refers to a Dravya which underlies it and out of which it arises and into which it disappears. Samaya tbus proves Kāla, the Noumenal Time.
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
