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D. C, Mehta
is one but it has two sub-divisions, known as Lokakaśa and Alokukusa. Lokākaša is one in which all the six kinds of substances are found. The endless space outside Lokakaśa is Alokakuša.
7. A question would arise as to how many are each kinds of these six substances and where they are found. The answer is : The souls are multi-infinite in number and they are found in the entire Lokakaśa.
The Pudgala or the matter substances are infinitely more in number than the souls and they are found in the entire Lokakaśa. The smallest unit of matter substance, which cannot be further divided, is known as Pudgala Paramānu. The Dharmästikāya is one in number and it occupies the whole of Lokakaśa. The Adharmastikaya is one in number and it occuples the whole of Lokākasa,
The Akasa is one in number and occupies its two sub-divisionsLokakaśa and Alokakasa.
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The Kala or time-substances are innumerable and of the Lokakaśa.
8. Each of these six kinds of substances have infinite number of common attributes (Samanya gunas). They have specific attributes (Visesa gunas) which do not exist in all of them but are found in their own substances only. We will take now three of the common attributes for our present purpose. The first is the attribute of Existence ( Astitva ). the second is the attribute of Changeability (Dravyatva ) and the third is the attribute of Areaness ( Pradeśatva ). By virtue of the attribute of Existence, the substances are neither created nor destroyed and by virtue of the attribute of Changeability, the modification of the substances keep on changing every moment, leaving the characteristic of permanence ever existing. Knowing these two common attributes, we will be able to appreciate the defination of Sat or Existence, given in Jaina metaphysics :
ut pada-vyaya-dhrauvya-yuktam sat /
"Sat or Existence is characterised by appearance, disappearance and permanence.' In other words, it is a permanent reality in the midgt of change of appearance and disappearance.
9. Thus the universe (i, e. all the six kinds of substances ) 10 without a beginning and without an end; it has no Creator and no destroyer; however, it is continuously undergoing changes. In other words, the existence of each of the six kinds of substances, composing the universe, has three vitai characteristics namely appearance (utpada) disa ppearance (vyaya) and permanence (dhrauvya).
