Primer of Jain Principles

Author(s): Kirit Gosalia
Publisher: Kirit Gosalia

Page 13

7.
Define eternal existence (Astitva)?
Eternal existence means the continuance duration by reason which permits each substance to maintain its being', while never being confronted by extinction. It is a virtue of this attribute that the substance was neither created nor may it ever be destroyed and maintains its eternal identity.
8.
What is the meaning of the causal efficiency (Vastutva)?
Every substance is capable of performing any action - i.e. any purposeful action (Arth kriya - Prayojanbhut kriya). This happens due to causal efficiency. For example, the purposeful action of a water pot is to store water in it.
9.
Explain substance hood attribute (Dravyatva Guna).
Substance hood is an attribute by which the substance keeps on changing. The modes (Paryays) keep on changing continuously in a substance. For example, the ocean keeps on changing its modes by having the waves at every moment, but the ocean --the substance by itself remains unchanged.
10. Define the objectivity attribute (Prameyatva Guna)?
By virtue of this attribute, a substance can become an object of one's knowledge. For example, I know that this object is a pen. The pen has an objectivity attribute. That is why the pen becomes the object in our knowledge.
11. What is the meaning of eternal persistence / permanence attribute (Agurulaghutva
Guna)?
It is precisely this attribute, which prevents the substance from surrendering its own specific substance hood, or the qualities from abandoning their quality hood. Furthermore, in spite of numerous changes occurring in substance and qualities, they do not loose their separate identities. Each substance is the foundation for its own infinite attributes. Each continues to support its substrates and does not scatter away. For example, the sugar never gives up its nature of sweetness. The sugar and the sweetness are inseparable. Even if the sugar is mixed with a poison, it never gives up the nature of its sweetness.
12. Explain the attribute - "extension into the space" (Pradeshatva Guna)?
By virtue of this attribute the substance extends into the space. A substance can occupy space. Each substance occupies a certain area. Therefore each substance has a specific shape of its own. For example, each and every thing that