Verse 5.18 - The function of the space (ākāśa)

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Tattvartha sūtra 5.18:

आकाशस्यावगाहः ॥ ५.१८ ॥

ākāśasyāvagāhaḥ || 5.18 ||

The function of the space (ākāśa) is to provide accommodation (avagāha). (18)

Hindi Anvayarth:

अन्वयार्थ: [अवगाहः] समस्त द्रव्यों को अवकाश-स्थान देना यह [आकाशस्य] आकाश का उपकार है।

Anvayartha: [avagahah] samasta dravyom ko avakasha-sthana dena yaha [akashasya] akasha ka upakara hai |

Explanation in English from Ācārya Pūjyapāda’s Sarvārthasiddhi:

If the existence of the media of motion and of rest, which are beyond the senses, is established from their functions, from what function is the existence of invisible space inferred?

‘Upakāra’–assistance–is supplied from the previous sūtra. The assistance rendered by the space (ākāśa) is to give room to the other substances (dravya), such as the souls (jīva) and the matter (pudgala). Now, it is proper to say that the space gives room to the souls and forms of matter which are characterized by activity. But the media of motion and of rest are inactive (niṣkriya) and eternally pervasive. How can penetration apply to these substances? The objection is untenable, as penetration is established by convention. For instance, the space (ākāśa) is spoken of as pervading everywhere, although there is no movement. This is because the space (ākāśa) exists everywhere. Similarly, though there is no penetration by the media of motion and of rest, it is attributed conventionally as these permeate the entire universe-space. Another question is raised. If the characteristic of the space (ākāśa) is to give room to other objects, then there would be no obstruction of objects such as stones by steel, adamant and so on, and of cows and others by walls, etc. But there is obstruction. Hence it is destitute of the nature of giving room to other substances. But this objection is untenable. The obstruction in the instances given is mutual between gross objects like steel and stones. So this does not affect the capacity of the space (ākāśa) to give room to other objects. In the instances given, obstruction is offered by the objects only and not by the space (ākāśa). Further, steel, wall, etc., are gross objects and these do not give room to each other. This is not the fault of the space (ākāśa). Subtle forms of matter do give room to each other. If it is so, this is not the special characteristic of the space (ākāśa), as this is present in others also. But there is no contradiction in this. The capacity to allow common accommodation to all substances is the special characteristic of the space (ākāśa). It cannot be said that this characteristic is absent in the non-universe space, for no substance gives up its inherent nature.