Jainism

Author(s): M R Gelra
Publisher: Createspace

Page 54

Definition of Dravya 1. Acharya Tulsi defines Dravya as,
gunaparyayasrayo dravyam The substratum of attributes (guna) and modes (paryaya) is dravya (substance).
2. Umaswati in Tatvartha Sutra says,
Utpada-vyaya-dhrauvyatmakam sat Sat means Existence and we know existence through Dravyas. "Dravya" is defined as "That thing alone, which is associated with that is, is characterized by all the three features origination, destruction and permanence."
3. Dravya does not deviate from its essence - that is, from its eternal nature. And
this real nature is constant. "What remains as it is and does not pass away is eternal."
Pudgal in Jain Literature
The study on pudgal (non-sentient) is no less important than the studies on soul (sentient). They both together constitute the Universe.
1. Definition of Pudgal (i) Pudgal means tangible entity having four qualities of touch, and taste, odour
and colour. Jain Sidhant Dipika defines pudgal as:
Sparsa-rasa-gandha-varnavan pudgalah.
These qualities provide shape or form to a Pudgal. (ii) Pudgal is Ajiva i.e. it has no conscious activity. There is absence of cognition in
pudgal. The question arises whether Ajiva is only a negative form of Jiva or it is a positive entity. Jains emphasize that Ajiva is a positive entity because Ajiva
dravyas have their own characteristics qualities. (iii) Pudgal is nitya or eternal and avasthita or immutable.
Eternal means - Pudgal does not give up its general and the specific nature. Immutable means - While retaining own nature, not to assume the original nature that belongs to some other dravya.
(iv) Pudgal shall remain pudgal always. It shows that universe will remain
everlasting due to the permanent existence of Jiva and Ajiva. In addition to their characteristics qualities, there is a universal law that Jiva (soul) can never change to Ajiva (Non-Living) and Ajiva can never change to Jiva. (Living)