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JAIN JOURNAL : VOL-XLII, NO.4 APRIL 2008
the nine characteristics of jīva. Ācārya Nemicandra Sidhantacakravart (11th century AD) in his text Dravyasamgraha has explained all these nine characteristics in thirteen verses (gāthās). These nine characteristics are very briefly given below :
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 breathing, lifespan, sensual organs and its energy, is called to have jīvatva or is called jīva.
ii. Upyogamaya or able to manifest
Here upayoga means primarily manifestation of consciousness into intuition (darśanopayoga) and knowledge (inānopayoga). There are further sub divisions of these two manifestations of consciousness that 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 jīva in Jain philosophy, e.g. the verses ‘upayogo lakṣaṇam '10 and 'cetanālakṣaṇo jīva’ll indicate this concept clearly.
iii. Amūrtika - non-concrete
Jiva by its sature is non-concrete and attributes like touch, taste, colour and odour are not associated with it.
iv. Kartā or Doer / Agent
From absolute viewpoint, it is the doer of its nature and from practical viewpoint it is the doer of its matter karmas.
v. Svadehaparimāņa or is of the size of the body it owns.
Jiva expands or contracts in shape and size according to the body it lives in at different times. When it is liberated of all its kārmika impurities, it is of the size and shape slightly less than the last body it owned.
vi. Bhoktā or enjoyer
From absolute viewpoint, it is the enjoyer of its nature and from practical viewpoint it is the enjoyer of its matter karmas.
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