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05-SIX UNIVERSAL SUBSTANCES
05 - Six Universal Substances
Jain Reality
Jainism states that the universe is without a beginning or an end, and is everlasting and eternal. Six fundamental substances or entities known as Dravya constitute the universe. Although all six entities are eternal, they continuously undergo countless changes known as Paryäya. During these transformations, nothing is created or destroyed, and the fundamental properties or qualities of the base substance remain unchanged, which are known as Gunäs (qualities).
Tripadi
Lord Mahävir explained this phenomenon in his Three Pronouncements known as Tripadi:
उप्पन्नेइ वा, विगमेइ वा, धुवेइ वा ।।
Uppannei vä, Vigamei vä, Dhuvei vä
He proclaimed that Existence or Reality (also known as Sat) is a combination of appearance (Utpäd or Uppannei vä), disappearance (Vyaya or Vigamei vä), and persistence (Dhrauvya or Dhuvei vä). In other words, every substance of the universe continuously changes (Utpad and Vyaya) and in that process certain basic qualities of the substance are not changed (Dhrauvya).
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Six Universal Substances
The following is the list of six fundamental substances or entities (Dravya) that constitute the universe:
Jiva
Soul or Consciousness
Matter
Medium of motion
Medium of rest
Space
Time
Pudgal
Dharma
Adharma
Äkäsha
Käl
JAINISM AND SPIRITUAL AWAKENING
