Dr. N.L. Kachhara
The modes subsist in both substance and quality. They are infinite in number and transitional in nature. In other words, cessation of the precedent mode is followed by the origination of succeeding mode. The constant ongoing modification of a substance is called a mode. The modes are of two types - intrinsic mode (arth paryaya) and extrinsic mode (vyanjana paryaya). The intrinsic or substantive (attributive) mode is the intrinsic change in a substance which is subtle and continues without any external influence. The extrinsic mode (spatial modification) is the gross mode of existence which is stable and lasts for some time. The jiva and pudgala have both kinds of modes whereas the other four substances have got only intrinsic modes. It may be noted that qualities and modes cannot be absolutely different from the substance nor can they be absolutely identical with it. The difference is only that of reference and not that of existence. The continuous change that takes place in consciousness is jiva's intrinsic mode while its existence as a particular organism, say a man, is jiva's extrinsic mode which is with a determinate life - span. The molecular disintegration and aggregation that occur every moment in a physical object is an intrinsic mode. The physical object may have a particular mode - say a cup - for certain duration of time. This state of cup is extrinsic mode of matter.
There are further divisions of modes. Both intrinsic modes and extrinsic modes can be catalyzed by the substance itself or by other substances. Accordingly, there are natural modifications and alienated modifications. The natural intrinsic modification occurs independently and does not have any relationship with outside substance. Such modifications take place in the state of omniscience of a living being. The alienated intrinsic modification has an instrumental cause e.g. the modes of attachment and aversion of a living being. The natural extrinsic modification is the spatial modification without relationship with any instrumental cause e.g. soul's extension into the space without help of any other substance at the time of liberation. The alienated extrinsic modification is the change in shape assumed by a substance in relationship with an instrumental cause, e.g. a living being having modes of human, subhuman, or of an infernal being. Further, the above modification can take place in the substance or its quality. For example the perceptual knowledge of a person is the alienated quality extrinsic, modification, and vitality etc. is the natural quality extrinsic modification. The body of liberated jiva is natural extrinsic modification of substance. The division or integration of objects is alienated extrinsic modification of substance and change in taste is alienated quality extrinsic modification. The touch, taste, smells and colour qualities of a paramanu are natural quality extrinsic modifications.
