Outlines of Jainism

Author(s): J L Jaini, F W Thomas
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

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METAPHYSICS: V. THE FIVE MAGNITUDES
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independent of one another, except of course that in a sort of neighbourly contact or conflict they keep the universe going. They are not ignorant of the principle of division of labour. Matter goes to struggle with the mwary or infatuated soul; time times the conflict ; space makes possible the arena ; dhurma helps the combatants to struggle on; and adharma assists them when they are inclined to rest. This is the whole struggle for existence. This is the genesis, the evolution, and the destiny of the universe. It cannot be changed, it cannot be stopped. The soul seeks to act, to move itself or matter, and dharma, which is omnipresent in the universe, is ever-ready to assist it to move itself or its adversary matter. If the soul seeks to cease moving, or matter loses its grip and drops down inactive in the form of a matured and fallen-off karma, there is adharma to help the soul and matter to cease work and to be in a condition of stationariness. Accordingly dharmu-druvya is eternal, indestructible, the essential circumstance for all moving bodies, and itself the product of the activity of none (12).
Itis noticeable, too,that the most importantmagnitudes and substances are two: soul and matter. The other four are a sort of setting to these two. Space and time are the necessary conditions to make the drama visible to knowledge; dharma and adharma are the necessary conditions of its continuance in its endless vicissitudes, merit and demerit, high and low, happiness and misery, as far as disturbance and tranquillity. Of course, dharma and adharma are in their nature and modus operandi the same (13). It is the same