Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 591

566
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAVATI SUTRA
Ch. X
“Anamtā khettādesenavi evam ceva kālādesenavi bhāvadesenavi evām."
Classification of matter
Matter is classified into three categories from the point of view of transformation, viz. prayoga-parinata-pudgala (matter, transformed into the physical form by the action of beings) miśraparinata-pudgala (matter-transformed by the action-cum-natural innate disposition) and visrasā-parinata-pudgala (matter transformed by nature or the natural srate). They are again divided and sub-divided into different groups from various aspects. For example, there are five kinds of prayoga parinata-pudgala, viz. ekendriya upto pañcendriya-prayoga-parinata-pudgala (i. e. matters transformed by the action of one-sensed upto five-sensed beings). Visrasā-pariñata-pudgalas are divided into five groups, viz. varnaparinata upto saństhāna-pariņata-pudgala (i. e. matters transformed by the process of the natural states of colour upto figure.
Forms of Matter
Matter eonsists of two forms, viz. paramāņu (atom) and skandha (aggregate of atoms) from the physical aspect of Nature. Here the problem arises how do they exist in the spatial Universe. Formation of Atoms
It is explained in the Bhs that matter was, is, and will be dry and adhesive in the infinite eternal past, present and future times respectively. It underwent, undergoes, and will undergo transformation and got, gets, and will get changed into the states having many colours and forms as a result of the applied and natural processes. Then those states again get worn out (i. e. disintegrated) and become matter, having one colour and one form, i. e, atom.
“Esanam bhamte poggale tītamaņamtam sāsayam ...samayam lukkhi samayam alukkhí.... egavanne egarūve."
1 BLS, 8, 1, 310.
16, 8, 1, 312.
Ib, 14, 4, 510.