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(c) The matter of the pot is the earth or clay of which it is made.
(d) The time of existence of the pot is the present time in which it exists.
These four characteristics go to make up the individual form of the pot. Their absence makes its contrary form.
Having briefly dwelt upon these preliminaries, I now proceed to explain each of the seven propositions of the Saptbhangi argument.
1. The proposition, 'Maybe the pot exists' means that the pot exists as far as its own individual form is concerned by reason of its name, locality, matter and time. Its name points to an idea of something with a crooked neck, its locality is the place in which it stands, its matter is the earth of which it is made up and its time is the present time in which it exists.
The expression 'Maybe' indicates that the pot is not confined to only the properties now pointed out but also includes many other qualities. In other words, it is indicative of the pluralistic position of the Jain philosophers in regard to all things. "
