The Truth

Author(s): O P Jain
Publisher: Veer Nirvan Granth Prakashan Samiti

Page 40

THE SEVEN TATTVAS
31
"He who knoweth himself,
Prophet Mohammad also said: knoweth God.'
5.3 Ajiva:-It is divided into five substances different and distinct from each other. These are: Pudgala (matter), Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akasa (space) and Kala (time). Modern science has studied only the first substance Pudgala in detail and does not give much information about the nature of other four substances. The terms Dharma and Adharma are not used in their literal sense and are technical terms.
5.3.1—Pudgala is characterised by shape, colour, smell, taste and touch. Sound, light and all other types of energy are only modifications of matter. The least particle of matter is called Anu (electron), which on combining in certain forms gives rise to a bigger particle Paramanu (atom). The combination of Paramanus makes Skandha (molecules). It will thus be seen that matter can have the finest form and has unlimited power. These are wellknown in modern science. Dravya Karma is the finest form of matter which goes into combination with the soul so that the resulting substance is the worldly Jiva. This form of matter is invisible and cannot be perceived by our senses.
: 5.3.2—Dharma dravya is a peculiar substance like ether which helps Jiva and Pudgala in their movement, but does not move them. It is like water which assists the fish to move. It is, therefore, a medium of motion. It is formless, inactive, pervades the Lokakasa and is eternal.It is the object of knowledge of only the omniscient and modern science has not been able to know much about it.
5.3.3-Adharma dravya helps the Jiva and Pudgala to stay at rest. To some extent in modern science, it may be called the field of gravitation. But for the existence of this, the Universe would not be a compact unit and will fall apart. There will be no stability.
It is also formless, inactive, pervades the Lokakasa and is eternal. Its real nature is also not known except to the omniscient. .
5.3.4—Akasa is the substance which provides space to other substances. It is eternal, all pervasive and all objects of the Universe exist in it. It has no form. The extent of Akasa upto which · Dharma