Verse 2.40 - Bodies that are without obstruction

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Tattvartha sūtra 2.40:

अप्रतीघाते ॥ २.४० ॥

apratīghāte || 2.40 ||

The last two (bodies) are without impediment. (40)

Hindi Anvayarth:

अन्वयार्थ: तैजस और कार्मण ये दोनों शरीर [अप्रतीघाते] अप्रतीघात अर्थात् बाधा रहित हैं।

Anvayartha: taijasa aura karmana ye donom sharira [apratighate] apratighata arthat badha rahita haim |

Explanation in English from Ācārya Pūjyapāda’s Sarvārthasiddhi:

It is contended that the transmigrating souls, being bound with matter, cannot go to the desired place, just as a dart or a spear cannot pass through a wall. But it is not so. What is the reason? Both these (the last two bodies) are without obstruction.

The obstruction of one substance (having shape, form) by another is impediment–pratighāta. There is no impediment for these two types of bodies, as these are of extremely fine nature. Just as heat enters a piece of iron, the luminous (taijasa) and the karmic (kārmaṇa) bodies meet with no impediment in their transit through adamantine sphere, etc. Now, there is no impediment for the transformable (vaikriyika) and the projectable (āhāraka) bodies also. It is true. But there is a difference. In case of the last two bodies–the luminous (taijasa) and the karmic (kārmaṇa)–there is no impediment anywhere up to the end of the universe. But it is not so in case of the other two bodies, namely, the transformable (vaikriyika) and the projectable (āhāraka).

Is that the only peculiarity, or is there any other speciality?

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