The Jaina Doctrine of Karma And The Science Of Genetics: ▪ Characteristic of Matter (Pudgala)

Characteristic of Matter (Pudgala)

That which associates and dissociates, such complementary - corporeal inert matter is termed as matter or 'atom'.^[68] That which associates and dissociates through joining and separation are called atoms. Atom is a relational term for matter or whatever is swallowed or taken in by spirit in the form of body, food, sense, perceptions or sense objects etc. is called atom.^[69] Worldly spirit takes upon matter body, senses etc. in every birth.^[70] That which possess the quality of dissociation and completion is atom^[71].

It is mentioned in Tattvārtha "attom are attributed with touch, taste, smell and colour^[72]. Atoms are of two kinds:

1. Atom,
2. Group of atoms.
   
   Atoms are endowed with 30 attributes:
   
   

   Touch:	cold, hot, sticky, dry, rough, smooth, light, heavy.
   Taste:	acidic, sweet, bitter, sour and pengent.
   Smell:	fragrance and stench.
   Colour:	Black, blue, red, yellow and white.

Although parabolic, circular, square etc. shapes are found in atoms but these are not its attributes.^[73] The subtle molecule, though being partless and indivisible contains colour, smell, taste and touch - these four attributes and infinite modes. ^[74] One molecule attributes with one colour, one smell, one taste and two senses of touch (one pair out of cold-hot, dry-adhesive etc.). One atom having differentiation in colour, smell, taste and touch from one colour, smell, taste and touch is perfectly admissible in Jaina Philosophy. A mono attribute atom can stay minimum for one time and maximum countless time in one condition.^[75] This rule stands true for all the atoms from double attribute atoms to infinite attribute atoms. Later on there are changes in them. This colour related rule applies to smell, taste and touch as well.

(b) Form of atom (matter)

In Jaina tradition impenetrable, indivisible, imperceptible and indivisible trace of matter is called atom or molecule.^[76] A student of modern science may have doubts regarding the attributes of the atom because atom is no more indivisible. If atoms were not indivisible, it would not be termed absolute + particle. The particle accepted as atom in science is divisible, we do not deny. This problem is taken up in Jaina canonical text Anuyogadwara where the dual nature of atom is given in detail:

1. Subtle atom
2. Practical atom.^[77]

Subtle atom is described in previous para. Practical atom is formed through an aggregation of infinite subtle atoms.^[78] As a matter of fact, it is a lump atoms, still it is not generally perceptible and cannot be broken by common arms and weapons. It is extremely minute, therefore it is termed as practical atom. Atom described in modern science is comparable to this practical atom in Jaina theory. So divisible nature of atom is acceptable to Jaina theory also from this aspect.