Soul Substance Jiva Dravya As Expounded In Dravya Sangraha

SR No.: 269765
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Vijay K Jain
Publisher: Vijay K Jain
Total Pages: 26
Language: English
Classification: Article
File Size: 882 KB

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The liberated soul has no material body and assumes the size that is slightly less than the last body. One may argue that since the soul, in transmigratory condition, is of the extent of the body then, in the absence of the body, the soul should expand to the extent of the universe as it is as extensive as the universe with regard to space-points. But there is no cause for it. The expansion or contraction of the soul is determined by the bodymaking karma (nāma-karma) and in its absence there is neither expansion nor contraction.
Robed in its natural garment of bliss, the liberated soul rises up to the topmost part of the universe, called the Siddha silā, and resides there forever, free from transmigration, i.e., the liability to repeated births and deaths. Following description of the Siddha sila is given in Acārya Nemicandra's Trilokasāra, verses 556,557,558:
At the top of the three worlds is the eighth earth called Işatprāgbhāra which is one rajju wide, seven rajju long, and eight yojana high. In the middle of this earth is the Siddha kşetra (Siddha silā) in the form of a canopy (chatra), white like silver and with diameter equal to that of the human region (45,00,000 yojana long and as many broad). It is eight yojana thick in the middle and decreases towards the margins like that of a bowl kept upright. In the upper layer of rarefied air (tanuvātavalaya) of this Siddha kşetra reside the liberated pure souls, Siddhas, endowed with eight supreme qualities. The whole of the region below this abode of the pure souls is the region of transmigration, known as samsāra, which is to be crossed with the aid of the Supreme Teacher.
Though there is no origination or destruction by external causes in a liberated soul, there is origination and destruction by internal causes. Internal causes are described thus by the authority of the Scripture: Each substance (dravya) has this attribute called the 'agurulaghu-guna'. Due to this attribute the substance undergoes six different steps of infinitesimal changes of rhythmic fall and rise (şadhānivíddhi). This wave-like process is a common and natural feature of all substances, found in the atom as well as in the mass. Origination and destruction are established by these changes.
ūrdhvagamana - upward movement
Soul has many characteristics different from those of matter. Soul is non-concrete (amūrta), matter is concrete (mūrta). Soul is animate (cetana), matter is inanimate (acetana). Matter has the nature of moving downward (adhogamana); movement of matter like air and fire in oblique or upward directions is due to union with other substances and presence of impelling force. Soul has the nature of moving upward (ürdhvagamana). However, when caught in meshes of material environment - the sopādhi state - it wanders in different directions and states of existence depending on
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