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62
Letter 10
Dear Reena & Mona,
Astitva Attribute
Letter 10
August 27, 1994.
Blessings & Best of Wishes.
Till date we have learnt about the nature of the Cosmos (far), Substance (or), Attributes (ur) and their Modifications (que). At the same time we have also got the knowledge of the Pudgal substance. We have seen that whatever we can perceive through our sensory organs is Pudgal.
Once we know this fact that the human body and even its mind is Pudgal, then naturally the next question that arises is, 'what is the exact nature of or soul substance?' 'How do we know it?' 'By what means can we identify it ?'
But before we try to know anything specific about the Jeev Dravya or the soul substance it is necessary to learn about the common attributes of any Dravya or substance. Those attributes which are found in all the substances are called the common attributes ( सामान्य गुण ).
There are infinite common attributes. But to know the general nature of any Dravya it is imperative to know six major common attributes. We are going to discuss these six attributes.
All these six attributes are present in all the substances at any given time, and they are present simultaneously. But while discussing, we will take each one separately. These six attributes are as follows:
(1) Astitva (af) i.e. Existence
(2) Vastutva (ag) i.e. Functionality
(3) Dravyatva (o) i.e. Changeability
(4) Prameyatva (a) i.e. Knowability
(5) Agurulaghutva ( əryage ) i.e. Constancy of Individuality and (6) Pradeshatva () i.e. Shape retention or shape forming attribute.
Astitva means existence, presence. First of all we have to know and understand that the substance exists forever, and once the very existence of the substance is established, only then, we can get the knowledge of its true nature, its purpose, its work and its place in the
cosmos.
Astitva Guna: That potentiality or quality by virtue of which the substance is never destroyed, nor created by anybody is known as Astitva Guna or the attribute of existence.
