Dravya
Six eternal substances forming the ontological foundation of Jain cosmology.
Dravya, meaning substance or entity, is a fundamental category in Jain philosophy that refers to the six eternal substances constituting the universe. These ontological building blocks are considered indestructible and serve as the basis for all existence, whether perceived or not. The concept distinguishes between sentient souls and non-sentient entities, forming the core of Jain cosmology.
Quick Facts
- Number of dravyas
- 6
- Sentient dravya
- jiva (soul)
- Non-sentient dravyas
- pudgala (matter)
- akasha (space)
- dharma (motion)
- adharma (rest)
- kala (time)
- Astikayas (extensions)
- 5 (all except time)
- Categories of souls
- un-liberated mundane embodied souls and liberated souls
Facts from the source article.
Classification and importance in Jainism
In Jainism, dravya are fundamental entities called astikaya, meaning 'collection that exists,' and are eternal ontological building blocks that constitute all existence. Both Śvētāmbara and Digambara traditions recognize six dravyas, categorized as sentient (jiva) and non-sentient (pudgala, akasha, dharma, adharma, kala). Space is divided into world space (lokakasha) and non-world space (alokiakasha). Soul and matter are active substances, while the rest are inactive. Five dravyas except time are described as astikayas, having numerous space points: jivastikaya, pudgalastikaya, dharmastikaya, adharmastikaya, and akastikaya, collectively called pancastikaya. Time has only one space point and is not a conglomerate.
Jīva (living entity)
Jiva, also called jivatman, is the soul in Jainism and the central focus of its theology. It is eternal, intangible, formless, and consists of pure consciousness with innate free will. The soul experiences existence and gains knowledge, not the mind or body, which are matter. Jiva is the mechanism of rebirth and karma accumulation, and it is the same size in all living beings, from insects to elephants. It fills every part of the loka (realm of existence). Souls are infinite, uncreated, and always existing, divided into un-liberated mundane souls subject to transmigration and liberated souls free from birth and death. All souls are intrinsically pure but bound by karma since beginning-less time. According to Nemichandra, the soul's qualities are consciousness and knowledge-perception; it is neither destroyed nor created, but its states decay and originate as modes.
Ajiva (five non-living entities)
Ajiva comprises everything other than jiva, including matter, space, motion, rest, and time. Matter (pudgala) is classified as solid, liquid, gaseous, energy, fine karmic materials, and ultimate particles (paramāṇu). Paramāṇu possesses color, taste, smell, and touch; it is permanent, indestructible, and its total amount in the universe remains constant. Dharmastikaya is the principle of motion pervading the universe, mediating motion in other bodies without setting stationary ones in motion. Adharmastikaya mediates rest and stability, helping those liable to stay without moving. Space accommodates all other substances and is all-pervading, infinite, and made of infinite space-points. Kāla is a real entity causing continuity and succession. Life processes, language, and emotional experiences are made of matter, interacting with reality to bind or unbind karma particles to the soul.
Attributes of Dravya
All dravyas share common attributes: astitva (indestructibility), vastutva (functionality), dravyatva (changeability), prameyatva (knowability), agurulaghutva (individuality), and pradeshatva (spatiality). Specific attributes distinguish them: jiva has consciousness and immateriality; matter has non-consciousness and materiality; motion, rest, time, and space share non-consciousness and immateriality.
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