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THE SIX DRAVYAS OF THE JAINA PHILOSOPHY.
***Dravaya" is the real, anything that exists. It is tranglated by the word "substance." Before examining what six particular substances there are in the universe, we must first know about substance itself. And before dealir:g with either, we must show the use of doing so, otherwise it may appear to be a waste of time.
With regard to the use of considering the subject, the aim of life is happiness. In order to attain happiness we must know what to do ; and in order to know what to do to attain happiness, we must understand the Universe and man's place in it, that is to say, we must understand the six real substances that there are.
As the late V. R. Gandhi said in his Chicago lectures. (see "The Yoga Philosophy," by B. F. Karbhari, Bombay), when rules of conduct are separated from physics and psychology, as they tend to be at present, especially in the West, such rules have no solidity and therefore no strength, "Thou shalt do no murder." Why ? The theologian would say because that is the command of God. The materialist would say because that is the command of the ruling authority. But why should God' and Sovereigns issue such commands ? There is no rational reply. Rules of conduct which are not based upon a rational demonstration of the universe, rest upon nothing but individual opinion and convenience, the “irregular whims and caprices of individuals and nations."
