Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 645

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
having origination, permanence and decay as there is a substratum in which substances exist in the Universe with their noumenal and phenomenal aspects.
Dravya (substance) is classified into two categories, viz. Jivadravya (living substance) and Ajivadravya (non-living substance).
The Universe is conceived of as comprising six fundamental substances, viz. five Astikāyas-- Dharma (principle of motion), Adharma (principle of rest), Ākāśa (space), Jiva (soul) and Pudgala (matter), and (non-extensive) Addhāsamaya (time) i. e. six positive realities characterized by qualities (gunas). The study of the Bhs shows that time has been incorporated into the conception of reality as an eternal substance later on in course of the evolution of Taina philosophical Thought. The text gives an exposition of the principles of the nature, characteristics and inter-relation of these six fundamental substances and makes their classification from different aspects.
The BhS makes a great contribution to the theory of "Matter' by giving the conception of it as a tangible reality existing in different forms, such as, earth, water, fire, air, plant, physical bodies, etc., within the sensuous and supersensuous experiences in visible and invisible states to the senses. This canonical work treats of the nature of matter, its parts, classification, forms into atom (paramāņu) and aggregate of atoms (skandha), conception of atom, its characteristics, physical contact of atoms, their vibration, movement, division and union, transformation of matter, union of atoms with matter, etc.
The Bhs throws a new light upon Jaina Psychology as an essential part of Philosophy by giving an exposition of the problems of Ontology (Philosophy of being) and Materialism (i.e. the problem of matter) and by revealing a self-distinct physical structure forming the basis of psychology with the background of two
1 Vide, Ch. X, Sec. 2.