Pudgal Shattrinshika Ek Samikshatmaka Adhyayan

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Pudgal Shattrinshika Ek Samikshatmaka Adhyayan":

This study, authored by Premlal Sharma and Shaktidhar Sharma, delves into the Jain philosophical concept of Pudgal (matter) as presented in the Pudgal Shattrinshika, a work comprising thirty-six verses by Ratnasingh Suri. The study aims to provide a detailed explanation of this significant topic, which has been elaborated upon in texts like Pudgal Kosha but has not been sufficiently explained.

Core Tenets of Pudgal:

Jain philosophy posits that the universe is composed of six fundamental substances (dravyas): Jiva (soul), Pudgal (matter), Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akash (space), and Kaal (time). Of these, five are "astikayas" (possessing extent or many parts), while Kaal is different. Pudgal is the substance that is perceived through the senses and has various modifications.

The Concept of Pudgal's "States" (Apradeshi and Sapadeshi):

The text elaborates on how Pudgal can be considered apadeshi (non-spatial or having no parts) or sapadeshi (spatial or having parts) in relation to dravya (substance), kshetra (space), kaal (time), and bhav (quality/state).

• Apradeshi Pudgal:

  • Kshetra-Apradeshi: Unconnected pudgal atoms that can occupy a single point in space are considered kshetra-apadeshi.
  • Kaal-Apradeshi: Pudgal atoms or clusters (skandhas) that exist for a single moment in time, or those that occupy many points in space for a single moment and then shrink to occupy fewer points while maintaining a single moment's existence, are kaal-apadeshi. These are further categorized based on their temporal existence.
  • Bhav-Apradeshi: Pudgal that possesses a single specific quality (like color, smell, taste, touch, or subtle/gross form) is bhav-apadeshi.

• Sapadeshi Pudgal: Pudgal that possesses multiple parts or occupies more than one point in space.

Numerical Hierarchy and Incomprehensibility:

A key focus of the study is the numerical relationship between these different states of Pudgal. The text argues that:

• Kaal-Apradeshi Pudgal are countless times more numerous than Bhav-Apradeshi Pudgal. This is because each temporal moment within the modifications of color, smell, taste, touch, and subtle/gross forms inherently possesses a temporal aspect.
• Dravya-Apradeshi Pudgal (atoms) are countless times more numerous than Kaal-Apradeshi Pudgal. This is explained by considering the different "masses" or categories of atoms and clusters. Atoms are foundational and exist in such immense quantities that even within vast aggregates, they are present in the "most divisible" or "infinitesimal" part of those aggregates.
• Kshetra-Apradeshi Pudgal are countless times more numerous than Dravya-Apradeshi Pudgal. This is because all pudgal atoms, when they can occupy a single point in space, become kshetra-apadeshi.
• Kshetra-Sapadeshi Pudgal are countless times more numerous than Kshetra-Apradeshi Pudgal. This is because sapadeshi pudgals have more extensive locations (avagahana) to occupy, allowing for a greater number of atoms or clusters within them.

The Reversal in Sapadeshi Pudgal Analysis:

The study notes a crucial point: when analyzing sapadeshi pudgal, the hierarchy shifts. Instead of starting with 'bhav' (quality) as in the apradeshi analysis, the focus shifts to 'kshetra' (space). Therefore:

• Dravya-Sapadeshi Pudgal are "more than" (visheshadhik) Kshetra-Sapadeshi Pudgal.
• Kaal-Sapadeshi Pudgal are "more than" Dravya-Sapadeshi Pudgal.
• Bhav-Sapadeshi Pudgal are "more than" Kaal-Sapadeshi Pudgal.

The reason for this reversal is that as the number of pudgals increases in the apradeshi states (from bhav to kshetra), the number of sapadeshi states decreases proportionally. Conversely, as the number of pudgals decreases in the apradeshi states (from kshetra to bhav), the number of sapadeshi states increases.

Illustrative Example:

An example is provided with a hypothetical one lakh pudgals. If the apradeshi pudgals are numbered 1 (bhav), 2 (kaal), 5 (dravya), and 10,000 (kshetra), then the sapadeshi pudgals for the same categories would be 99,999 (bhav), 99,998 (kaal), 99,995 (dravya), and 90,000 (kshetra). This demonstrates the inverse relationship between apradeshi and sapadeshi numbers. It is emphasized that the actual number of pudgals is infinite, and the example is purely for illustrative purposes.

In essence, "Pudgal Shattrinshika Ek Samikshatmaka Adhyayan" provides a detailed and analytical examination of the Pudgal dravya according to Jain scriptures, focusing on its various states (apadeshi and sapadeshi) and their intricate, often incomprehensible, numerical relationships based on different modes of existence and qualification.