Structure and Functions of Soul in Jainism

Author(s): S C Jain
Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith

Page 45

The Anekānta Theory of Existence :: 41
proposition depends upon the terms used in it but is not identical with their aggregate. The propositional function is a synthetic unity of the terms which stand as elements in its structure. The proposition requires no other elements except the terms, but still marks a transcendence over them. The attributes and modes, according to the Jaina theory of reality, occupy the same position in a substance as the terms, in a proposition.
The unity of the substance, attributes and modes and their diversity may be equally illustrated by a mathematical function involving a plurality of variabilities. With the variation of the variables the function itself undergoes variations, but still it cannot be conceived as distinct from the variables. The function results from the unity of the variables, and in the unity the diversity of the variables is not sublated. So the mathematical function is a unity and a diversity at the same time. The Jaina theory of reality affirms unity and diversity of a real after the manner of a mathematical function. The attributes are the variables, and modes are like the constant values given to the variables. The process of reality is ever continuous, and by stopping at the intermediate stages of the process we get the modes of a substance with respect to the various attributes, The values' of the function can be obtained for the constant values of one or more variables, so also in case of a substance the modes can be determined with respect to one or more attributes. Thus we come to the attributive modes (guna-paryāyas) and the substantial modes (dravya paryāyas). To illustrate the Jaina theory of reality by a mathematical function the function must be taken as F (x, y, z....) where the variables involved are infinite.