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PRINCIPLE OF PERMANENCE-IN-CHANGE IN JAINA PHILOSOPHY
J. C. Sikdar
The conception of Reality, as permanence-in-change (parinaminitya) is touched upon by the Agama Bhagavati Vyakhyāprajñapti in connection with its dealing with the problem of eternality and non-eternality of Soul (Jiva) and of ultimate atom (paramāṇupudgala). It is explained that souls and ultimate atom are both eternal and non-eternal from the point of view of Dravya (substance) and Bhava, i. e. Paryaya (mode or condition)1 respectively, Dravya (substance) is identical with and different from its paryayas (modes). Therefore, it is conceived on the basis of this metaphysical principle that a real entity is both permanent and non-permanent or eternal and non-eternal from the substantial (dravyarthika) and modal (paryayarthika) stand-points (nayas) respectively, e. g. Matter (Pudgala), though permanent as substance, undergoes transformation of colour, etc., for it is non-permanent from the modal point of view. In this way the problem of permanence-in-change (pariṇaminityata) of all entities has been dealt with In the Agama in its pecullar manner by showing the relation of identitycum-difference between Dravya (Substance) and its Paryayas (modes).
Each and every element of Parinama (change) has been explained by Umasvati and later Acaryas in a clear and concise manner in the light of other Indian systems of thought, Parinama is the changed state of an entity brought about by a process of change in it. In other words, the change in the character of the attributes of a substance is called Parinama (trans
1 "Jiva nam Bhamte kim säsaya asāsasa? Goyama ! fiva siya sasya siya asasaya-Goyaama davvatthayae sasaya bhavatthayae asäsaya ", Bhagavatt 7. 2. 273. "Paramanupoggale...Goyamā siya sasae sṭya asāsae...davvaṭṭhaväe sāsue, vannapajjavehim ilva phasapajjavehim asase", Ibid., 14. 4. 512.
2 See Bhagavati, 1. 9. 77, Nyayavataravartikavṛtti, edited by Sri Dalsukhbhai Malva. nia, Prastavană, p. 30; BhS.. 1. 9. 80; Acaränga Sü'ra 1. 5. 5; BhS., 12. 10. 468; 12. 10, 467; Pancastikāya Samayaṣāra, Ac, Kundakunda, v, 12 and its commentary.., Pravacanasara II. 18 and its comm,, Pravacanasara II. 14 and its comm.; Bhs. 2. 1. 90-91; Pañcastikaya-Samayasara. v, 11; TS., ed by Pandit Sukhlalji Sanghavi, v. 37 pp. 206-8; Bhs. 7, 2, 273; Dravya-Guna-paryayano Rasa, Upadhyaya Yasovijayaji and Agamasăra.
3 Esa nam Bhiamte ! poggale titamaṇamtam sasayam samayam lukkht samayam alukkhi samayam lukkhi va alukkhi va puvvam ca nam karaneaṇam aṇegavannam anegarūvam parināmam parinamai", BhS., 14. 4. 510.
