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TATTVĀRTHA SŪTRA
on conditions even an invisible aggregate can become visible.
Various are the transformations of pudgala; hence it is that some pudgala-aggregates are invisible—that is, not cognizable through the visual sense-organ—while some are visible—that is, cognizable through the visual sense-organ. Thus the same aggregate which being subtle was earlier invisible becomes visible when through the availability of appropriate conditions it gives up the transformation of the form of subtleness and assumes that of the form grossness. For this aggregate behaving in this manner just two causes are required—viz. split and combination. When in an aggregate the transformation of the form of subtleness ceases and that of the form of grossness emerges then certain new atoms must necessarily get combined with this aggregate. However, not only is there such a combination, but certain atoms must also necessarily split away from the aggregate in question. Thus a cessation of the transformation of the form of subtleness followed by an emergence of the transformation of the form of grossness never results either from just combination—that is, the combining of atoms-or from just split—that is, the splitting away of atoms. Now no aggregate can ever become visible unless there emerges in it the transformation of the form of grossness; hence it is here laid down as a rule that a visible aggregate is caused through split and combination occurring together.
The word 'split' (Sanskrit 'bheda') means two things : (1) The disruption of an aggegate—that is, the splitting away of atoms from it. (2) The cessation of an earlier transformation followed by the emergence of a new one. Of these the first meaning was accepted while offering the above interpretaion of the aphorism; on accepting the second meaning the interpretation should be as follows: When an aggregate assumes the transformation of the form of grossness, a transformation cognizable through the visual sense-organ—that is, when an aggregate ceasing to be invisible becomes visible—then that is due to the transformation of the form of grossness, a transformation which in its turn is dependent on sanghāta or the particular number ananta characterizing the atoms concerned. Thus for an aggregate becoming visible the
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