Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)
by Vijay K. Jain | 2018 | 130,587 words | ISBN-10: 8193272625 | ISBN-13: 9788193272626
This page describes the perception of molecules (skandha) which is verse 5.28 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 28 of the chapter The Non-living Substances and includes an extensive commentary.
Verse 5.28 - The perception of molecules (skandha)
Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Tattvartha sūtra 5.28:
भेदसङ्घाताभ्यां चाक्षुषः ॥ ५.२८ ॥
bhedasaṅghātābhyāṃ cākṣuṣaḥ || 5.28 ||
The molecules (skandha) produced by the combined action of fission (bheda) and fusion (saṅghāta) can be perceived by the eyes. (28)
Hindi Anvayarth:
अन्वयार्थ: [चाक्षुषः] चक्षु इन्द्रिय से देखने योग्य स्कन्ध [भेदसङ्घाताभ्याम्] भेद और सङ्घात दोनों के एकत्र रूप होने से उत्पन्न होता है, अकेले भेद से नहीं।
Anvayartha: [cakshushah] cakshu indriya se dekhane yogya skandha [bhedasanghatabhyam] bheda aura sanghata donom ke ekatra rupa hone se utpanna hota hai, akele bheda se nahim |
Explanation in English from Ācārya Pūjyapāda’s Sarvārthasiddhi:
A question is raised. While origin of molecules has satisfactorily been explained as by fusion (saṅghāta), why was it necessary to mention the combination of fusion and fission? The next sūtra provides the answer.
The molecules (skandha) composed of even infinite number of atoms may or may not be perceivable by the eyes. How do the molecules which are not perceivable by the eyes become perceivable by the eyes? These become perceivable by the combined action of fission (bheda) and fusion (saṅghāta), and not by fission alone. What is the reason for this? When a molecule of minute size splits, it does not give up its minuteness. Hence it must remain unperceivable as before. Again, when a minute molecule splits but simultaneously combines with another molecule, it gives up its minuteness and attains grossness. Then it becomes perceivable by the eyes.