Dravya Sangraha

Author(s): Nemichandramuni
Publisher: Chandraprabha Digambar Jain Mandir Trust

Page 46

The Sacred Book of the Jains
39
arma, like Dharma, has the same characteristics viz. it pervades Lokakasa etc. (the other qualities are that of being eternal, being without form, and being perceptible only by the omniscient.)
We should therefore remember that, without Dharma, it will be impossible for any substance (Dravya) to move. The universe is divi. ded into two parts: (1) Lokakasa, which is pervaded throughout by Dharma and Adharma, and in which movement or rest may therefore happen and (2) Alokakası, which is beyond Lokakasa, and in which Dharma and Adharma are absent. We have learnt previously that one of the characteristics of a Jiva is to move upwards. When a Jiva makes an attempt to move upwards, in its gradual stages of development, it is able to do so through the assistance of Dharma. By gradually moving higher and higher, it reaches the limits of Lokakasa, beyond which there is no Dharma. Hence, it is bound to stay there. This will explain why in Verse 14 we have said that liberated Jivas stay at the top of Lokakasa and, though possessing the characteristic of having an upward motion, they do not proceed any further.
प्रवगासदाराजोग्गं जीवादीरणं बियारण प्रायासं ॥ जेणं लोगागासं अल्लोगागासमिदि दुविहं ।। १६॥ Avagasadanajoggam jivadinam viyana ayasam
Jenam logagasam allogagasmidi dubiham-(19). Padapatha-fardu Jivadinam, of the Jivas. Samayu Avagasadanajoggam, capable of allowing space. Si Jenam, Jain. 18 A yasam, Akasa. faany Viyana, know.
Logagasam, Lokakasa. 4679 Allogagasam, Alokakasa. f Idi, thus. gfag Duviham. of two kinds.
19. Know that which is capable of allowing space to Jiva etc. to be Akasa, according to Jainism Lokakasa and Alokakasa, thus (Akasa is) of two kinds.
COMMENTARY
The word Akasa is thus derived : "That in which the substances, Jiva etc. are revealed or that which reveals itself is known as Akasa." or it may be thus derived : “Akasa is that which allows space to other substances."
In our text, the last of the derivations is adopted, as this clearly explains the characteristics of Akasa. The chief characteristic of Akasa is to allow other substances to enter into or penetrate itself. This entering or penetration is expressed by the word Avagaha, which