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Philosophy
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Ajīva
Ajiva dravya as the very term denotes, is lifeless substance. Its essential characteristic is that it is devoid of consciousness. Ajīva dravya has been divided into five categories - pudgala, dharma, adharma, ākāśa and kāla.
Pudgala
Pudgala is matter and hence its existence is realised by senses. It is called mūrta dravya. The smallest unit of pudgala is atom (paramās). By combination and dissolution of atoms different forms of objects are formed. It is because of this characteristics of combination and disintergration that it is called pudgala. The physical universe is constituted by these pudgalas. Sound, heat, light, shade, darkness, gross and subtle forms are the by products of matter.
· Dharma
Dharma dravya is the second category of ajīva. It pervades in the whole lokākāśa. It is because of this substance that the movement of objects from one place to the other is possible. As water provides the basis of the movement of fish so this dharma substance is the basis of mobility of the objects of the world.
Adharma
As the dharma dravya is the basis of mobility so the adharma dravya is the basis of immobility. The objects of the world are seen both in the states of mobility and rest. The Jains have tried to explain this condition by postulating the dharma and adharma substances. The ajña dravya also pervades the whole Lokākāśa.
Both dharma and adharma drvyas are non-physical, still, they have been conceived as real substances.
