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THEORY OF ATOM relation is with its existence. It was, is, and will remain in it (substance) The instantaneous change in a substance is its mode and there is a constant change in every substance at every instant An old mode is destroyed and a new mode is formed Therefore, the preceptors have defined substancee as34 "A substance" (or reality) is that which persists through modes It, is as well as becomes " A substance .by its very nature possesses the trio formation, destruction and continuity or persistence. Flere formation and decay are its modes and continuty is its quality In Panchastıkayasara both the above definitions are given Just as when an ornament of gold is broken and a new ornament of different land is prepared from that gold, the inherent quality of goldhood is persistent in both, there gold is continuous While the destruction of old form and formation of a new shape are respectively decay and formation.
Dynamic Nature of Matter. The component basic element of the visible universe is 'Paramanu' All the different lands of things (in the universe) are the result of the combination of the 'Paramanus' In all these different kinds of things, formation and decay is going on at every instant and yet the 'paramanu' itself is eternal and continues to persist Not a single new 'paramanu' is produced nor is it destroyed They are the eternal denizens of this ever changing universe. When wood is burnt some substance changes
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Tattvartha Sutra 5-29
