Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
by Vijay K. Jain | 2018 | 130,587 words | ISBN-10: 8193272625 | ISBN-13: 9788193272626
This page describes absence of space-points in the indivisible atom (paramanu) which is verse 5.11 of the English translation of the Tattvartha Sutra which represents the essentials of Jainism and Jain dharma and deals with the basics on Karma, Cosmology, Ethics, Celestial beings and Liberation. The Tattvarthasutra is authorative among both Digambara and Shvetambara. This is verse 11 of the chapter The Non-living Substances and includes an extensive commentary.
Verse 5.11 - Absence of space-points in the indivisible atom (paramāṇu)
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Tattvartha sūtra 5.11:
नाणोः ॥ ५.११ ॥
nāṇoḥ || 5.11 ||
There are no space-points (pradeśa) in the indivisible atom (paramāṇu). (11)
Hindi Anvayarth:
अन्वयार्थ: [अणोः] पुद्गल परमाणु के [न] दो इत्यादि प्रदेश नहीं हैं अर्थात् एक प्रदेशी है।
Anvayartha: [anoh] pudgala paramanu ke [na] do ityadi pradesha nahim haim arthat eka pradeshi hai |
Explanation in English from Ācārya Pūjyapāda’s Sarvārthasiddhi:
In the previous sūtra the forms of matter (pudgala) are mentioned in general. Hence the space-points mentioned will apply also to the indivisible atom (paramāṇu). This sūtra is intended to exclude the indivisible particle of matter.
There are no space-points (pradeśa) for the indivisible unit of matter (paramāṇu), as it is of the extent of one space-point. One space-point of space is considered without space-points as its splitting or division is not possible. Similarly, the indivisible unit of matter (paramāṇu) has one space-point, and there can be no further division of its spatial unit. Further, there is nothing smaller than the indivisible atom (paramāṇu). So there can be no division of its space-point.