Modes are infinite, and laws are infinite.
Interpretation
This quote suggests that the complexities of existence and the principles governing them are limitless.
Mahavira's statement highlights the idea that both the ways of being (modes) and the rules that govern existence (laws) are countless and varied. This reflects a fundamental understanding of the universe's complexity, urging us to recognize that our perceptions and experiences are not confined to a single interpretation or understanding of reality.
In practice
In a philosophical debate about existence, one might use this quote to illustrate the complexity of life.
If one undertakes retrospection of the day's events, one must do it regularly at the appointed hour, not fitfully, not doing it today, neglecting to do it tomorrow and the day after and then taking it up again on the fourth day. Such irregular practice is not conducive to the confirmation of the habit of retrospection.
If you want to cultivate a habit, do it without any reservation, till it is firmly established. Until it is so confirmed, until it becomes a part of your character, let there be no exception, no relaxation of effort.
Attachment and aversion are the root cause of karma, and karma originates from infatuation. Karma is the root cause of birth and death, and these are said to be the source of misery. None can escape the effect of their own past karma.
Start the practice of self-control with some penance; begin with fasting.
Anger begets more anger, and forgiveness and love lead to more forgiveness and love.
Eating constitutes the greatest obstacle to self-control; it gives rise to indolence.
Even in the mud and scum of things, something always, always sings.
There is a fine balance between honoring the past and losing yourself in it.
Religion and science are the two conjugated faces or phases of one and the same complete act of knowledge - the only one which can embrace the past and future of evolution and so contemplate, measure and fulfil them.
They all think any minute I'm going to commit suicide. What a joke. The truth of course is the exact opposite: suicide is the only thing that keeps me alive. Whenever everything else fails, all I have to do is consider suicide and in two seconds I'm as cheerful as a nitwit. But if I could not kill myself -- ah then, I would. I can do without nembutal or murder mysteries but not without suicide.
The honest ratepayer and his healthy family have no doubt often mocked at the dome-like forehead of the philosopher, and laughed over the strange perspective of the landscape that lies beneath him. If they really knew who he was, they would tremble. For Chuang TsΗ spent his life in preaching the great creed of Inaction, and in pointing out the uselessness of all things.
If all of this, all the life of a stream of water, can be nothing but a pile of atoms, how much more is possible?
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