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The six dravyas
Answer : Asti means aspect, area or organ. Kaya means collection. So, Astikay is the name given to that dravya which is a collection of many pradeshas (aspects). Just as though the dravya called Dharmastikay pervades the loka it is not complete but by certain of its aspects or organs, it helps the movement of the jivas or pudgals existing there. Therefore, in this matter, the amsha or the aspect becomes determined in respect of quantity.
The astikays are five in number : 1) The jivastikay, 2) The pudgalastikay, 3) The akashastikay, 4) The dharmastikay, 5) The Adharmastikay. The amshas or the aspects of the pudgals are also various and different from one another. But the amshas of the others cannot be different from one another. Astikay is the name given to that entity which comprises amshas or pradeshas (aspects). At whatever moment we may think of it, time, present is perceptible only in the form of one duration. Its collection is not available. Therefore it is not astikay. From one point of view, time is a modified form of the dravyas like jivas. Therefore, it cannot be considered as an independent dravya. In this manner, the collection of the five astikays is the universe.
Questions : (1) Describe the six dravyas. (2) How is the Akash dravya ? (3) Which dravya can be illustrated with the help of the
example of fish in water ? (4) What is the work of time? (5) What is Astikay? (6) Which are the various Astikays and what are their
respective natures ? (7) What is the universe ? How is it working ? (8) State how the Jivas freed from Karmas enter Lokant and
remain there. (9) How is the samsar without a beginning ? (10) Akash is nothing; but how is dravya ?
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