Jain Darshan Me Pudgal Ka Swarup

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided excerpt from "Jain Darshan me Pudgal ka Swarup" by Chandrakant Sanghavi:

The book excerpt introduces Pudgal as a fundamental category in Jain philosophy, defining it as that which "dies and disintegrates" (from the root meaning of "pud" for synthesis/union and "gal" for separation). Pudgal is equated to matter in modern science, and it is characterized as inert and unconscious (jada, a-chetan).

The smallest indivisible unit of Pudgal is called an atom (Parmanu). According to Jainism, a pure Pudgal atom is indivisible, unbreakable, imperceptible to the senses, and without parts. It is the subtlest form of Pudgal, its length, width, middle, or end cannot be measured. While imperceptible to ordinary senses, this doesn't negate its existence.

The text addresses a potential conflict with modern science, which posits that atoms are divisible. The author explains that the "atom" discussed in modern physics is not a single Jain atom but rather a cluster of atoms (Pinḍa) or a practical atom. These practical atoms, while not visible to the naked eye and requiring special instruments for observation and division, are still considered aggregates of finer Jain atoms.

Jainism states that these practical atoms (two or more) combine to form molecules (Anu), which possess all the properties of that element. Similarly, Pudgal atoms combine to form clusters (Skandhas). These clusters can be two-atom (Dviskandha), three-atom (Triskandha), or four-atom (Chatuhskandha), and can involve countable or uncountable numbers of atoms forming countable or uncountable clusters.

The fundamental characteristics of a Pudgal atom are expressed through its form, taste, smell, and touch. A pure Pudgal atom has one taste, one color (varna), one smell, and two types of touch (hot/cold or sticky/dry). Thus, a pure Pudgal atom has five qualities or "paryayas."

When Pudgal atoms combine to form clusters (Skandhas), their qualities change. A cluster has eight types of touch (cold, hot, dry, sticky, light, heavy, soft, and rough), five tastes (sour, sweet, bitter, astringent, and pungent), two smells (fragrant and foul), and five colors (black, blue, red, yellow, and white).

The text further elaborates on the six main categories (paryayas) of Pudgal:

1. Badar-Badar (Gross-Gross): Pudgal clusters that can be divided into two or more parts and can be reunited, such as wood or stone.
2. Badar (Gross): Pudgal clusters that can be broken into pieces and reunited, like milk, ghee, or oil.
3. Badar-Sukshma (Gross-Subtle): Pudgal clusters that appear gross but cannot be divided or grasped by hand, nor can they be moved from one place to another, such as sunshine, shade, or moonlight.
4. Sukshma-Badar (Subtle-Gross): Pudgal clusters that appear gross but are actually subtle, belonging to the realm of the four senses (the description continues on page 71).
5. Sukshma (Subtle): (Description not fully provided in the excerpt).
6. Sukshma-Sukshma (Subtle-Subtle): (Description not provided in the excerpt).

In essence, the excerpt lays the foundation for understanding Pudgal as the material substance in Jainism, meticulously detailing its fundamental unit (the atom), its composition, and its manifest qualities through various stages of aggregation and transformation. It also addresses the philosophical nuances of atomicity in contrast to scientific understanding.