yo bhuṅkte paramāṇutām

yo bhuṅkte paramāṇutām

sato ’viśeṣa-bhug yas tu

sa kālaḥ paramo mahān

The time expended for the sun to go distance of one paramāṇu is called a paramāṇu of time and the time expended from one dissolution to the next is called parama-mahān time.

 

This verse explains the phrase “by pervading the smallest and largest elements (saṁsthāna-bhuktyā).” That time which elapses for the sun to pass over the form of the paramāṇu (paramāṇutām) is called the paramāṇu time. As will be understood from the explanation in relation to the planets and constellations in verse 13, whatever time it takes the sun to cross over a paramāṇu is called a paramāṇu of time, or the smallest division of time. That time which pervades the whole material realm without distinction (aviśeṣa-bhuk)--time in the form of the sun, by expenditure of years and yugas, starting with the creation and ending with dissolution of the universes--is called parama-mahān time. Since there is an equivalent name given to the divisions of time and the material particles of paramāṇu, anu and trasareṇu, there are also equivalent name given to the time and the material substance called parama-mahān. However there is difference in the terminologies and sizes of time and objects between these extremes.

|| 3.11.5 ||

aṇur dvau paramāṇū syāt

trasareṇus trayaḥ smṛtaḥ

jālārka-raśmy avagataḥ

kham evānupatann agāt

Two paramāṇus make an aṇu. Three aṇus make a trasareṇu. The trasareṇu is perceived by the eye, since if follow the air currents in the rays of the sun entering through a lattice.

Two paramāṇus makes one aṇu. Three aṇus make one trasareṇu. The trasareṇu can be perceived. It can be known as it follows after the air because of its lightness, in the rays of the sun entering through a lattice. Another version has na tu gām agāt: it does not go to the earth. It remains moving about. What is the evidence of the aṇu and paramāṇu? The trisareṇu is the evidence. It is a common rule that without having dense and numerous parts, the possessor of the parts cannot be seen. The trisareṇu is the possessor of parts, with three gross aṇus as its parts. However the paramāṇus are not gross at all. Solidity involves many objects. Thus the grossness of the anu depends on the paramāṇu. This proves the existence of the paramāṇu. The visibility of the trisareṇu is not possible without solid parts. Making the aṇu solid requires only two paramāṇus, not three or four, using the logic of accepting the first possibility. Just as Jaimini argues that three partridges are the minimum requirement for sacrifice,[244] so a minimum of three aṇus produce density so that the trasareṇu can be seen.

|| 3.11.6 ||