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An Introduction to Jain Philosophy
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and disintegrate itself. It is also named as “Rupi, because it is touched, tasted smelt and seen. It is the combination of innumerable parts. The smallest part of a 'Pudagala' which further cannot be divided is called as 'anu' or atom. An atom occupies simply one Pradeśa, but not vice-veresa. A paradeśa may have one atom or more than one. The atom cannot be perceived by our sense organs, they too have the qualities of form, taste, smell, touch and sound. Dharma (Medium of Motion)
Dharma is a principle of motion. If this principle of motion never existed it would not have been possible for a jiva or pudgala to move. Generally the word 'Dharma' is used for duty' or 'morality' but here it has been used in some technical sense. Umasvati defines it as a permanent, eternal and fixed substance. 'Dharma' consists of numberless (asnkhya) 'Pradeśas' and is without consciousness. It is immaterial. It supports souls and the matter while they make any movement from one place to another. Though it helps all souls and matter to move, it cannot make them move. It is only the helper of Jiva, as water is the helper of fish. Adharma (Medium of Rest)
"Adharma' is also technical world, like 'Dharma.' It is used generally for that which is unreligious or unrighteous, but in Jaina literature it is used technically for the medium of rest. It helps a moving jiva or pudgala to stop, if it desires to stop. Adharma is also non-corporeal, devoid If all sense qualities and pervades the whole loka. Ākāsa (Space)
Akasa gives room for jiva and pudgala to exist. It is that one in which all jivas, pudgalas, dharma, adharma and kala are accommodated. It is eternal and pervasive. It is formless and imperceptible. According to Jainsim, Akasa is divided into two divisions Lokākāśa and Alokākāśa. The Lokākāśa is the same universe in which we are living. But beyond this universe or Lokākāśa, there is another division of Ākāśa which is named as Alokākāśa in which there is no substance like that of the Lokākāśa.
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