Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 592

Sec. I] STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA 567
This theory of the formation of atoms as embodied in this canonical work is also explained in the T. Sū. The atoms are produced by the division of matter, while the origination of skandha is caused by the division and union of matters (bhedasamghātebhyaḥ utpadyante),' i. e. it takes place owing to the disintegration, integration and disintegration-cum-integration of atoms with one another as a result of internal and external causes.
Definiton of Atom
An atom is defined as endowed with one colour, one smell, one taste and two touches. "Para māņupoggalle nam egavaņņe egagandhe egarase duphāse paņņatte."
It may be black or upto white; it may have the property of pleasant or unpleasant smell; it may be bitter or upto sweet; and it may be cold and adhesive, or cold and dry or warm and adhesive or warm and dry. It is to be observed that the qualities of hardness and lightness are not inherent in an atom. Kundakunda also propounds in regard to the properties of an atom that "of the eight kinds of touch, hardness and softness, heaviness and lightness are not the qualities of the individual atoms." The Tattvärtha Sūtra also explains that a paramāņu (atom) is the smallest material unit of substance, devoid of any further divisible points (pradešas) (nānoh).
A skandha (aggregate of atoms) possesses two to infinite parts and properties of colour, smell, taste and touch in varying numbers according to the number of its constituent parts, e.g. a skandha, having two parts of atoms may be endowed with one or two colours, etc.?
Characteristics of Atom and aggregate of Atoms
One atom is equal to another atom from the point of view of substance. It is impenetrable and indivisible, incombustible
1 Tattvartha Sutra, 5, 27.
* 1b, 5, 26. 3 Bhs, 18, 6, 632.
4 I0, 20, 5, 669. Pañcāstikāyasära, 88. Vide, 'Outlines of Jaina philosophy' by Mohanlal Mehta, p. 72.
& Tattvartha Sutra, 5, 11. 7 Bhs, 20, 5, 670.
8 ]6, 14, 7, 523.