Jain Journal 2008 01 No 03

Author(s): Satyaranjan Banerjee
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 39

Veer Sagar Jain: ConceptofDravya (Substance) in Jain Philosophy
knowledge and intuition etc. is termed as living being. From absolute point of view, living beings do not possess attributes like taste, touch, odour or colour and hence are non-concrete. While existing in the cosmos as empirical living beings, it lives/exists due to its capabilities of breathe, sense organs, life span and overall energy as pure soul, whereas it exists at the summit of cosmos and exists / lives forever with its attributes of knowledge, intuition and bliss.
Acarya Nemicandra Siddhantadeva in his text DravyaSamgraha, has explained in a lucid manner the true nature of Jiva based on its nine special characteristics as given below.
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i. Jivatva
An entity which lives as per absolute viewpoint with the force and capability of its consciousness and as per practical viewpoint with its four forces/capabilities of breathe, lifespan, sensual organs and its energy, is called to have Jivatva or is called Jiva".
ii. Upayogamaya or able to manifest
Here upayoga means primarily manifestation of consciousness into intuition (darśanopayoga) and knowledge (jñānopayoga). There are further sub divisions of these two manifestations of consciousness which we do not discuss at this stage. However, it is to be understood that this manifestation of consciousness is the primary or main characteristic of Jiva in Jain philosophy e.g. the verses 'upayogo lakṣaṇam'10 and 'cetanālakṣaṇo jivaḥ' indicate this concept clearly.
iii. Amurtika non-concrete:
Jiva by its nature is non-concrete and attributes like touch, taste, colour and odour are not associated with it.
8.
Dravyasamgraha - 1/2
9.
ibid 1/16
10. ibid 1 /17 11.ibid 1/18