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This concept can be explained by diagram as follows:
UNIVERSE Jiva
Ajiva Siddhas Sansarin Pudgal Dharma Adharma Akash Kala
Sthavara (Nigoda) Trasa (Mobile)
Earth
2 Senses- touch,taste
Water
3 Senses- touch, taste, sight
Fire
4 Senses- touch, taste,sight, smell
Air
5 Senses- touch, taste,sight,smell, hearing
Vegetables
Professor Zimmer said that this systematization of forms of life represents a fundamental scientific concept of the world.
The six Dravyas (Jiva) and five Ajivas are important in a highly analytical approach to Jainism.
011. What are the qualities and functions of Jiva ?
A11. Jiva is also known as Atman, soul or self. The essential quality of Jiva is conscious, which does not die even in deep sleep. The “I” consciousness which imports dynamism to the Ajiva is associated from time immemorial. It is permanent or Anadi (without a beginning) and Ananta (without an end). Since consciousness is its intrinsic characteristic, it possesses the power to know everything concerning aspect of time and space. But this power is blurred by its association with Pudgal's Karmic forces which consist of passions such as anger, avarice, attachment, pride and such other elements of Avidya (want of knowledge). When Pudgalic coverage is removed by Jiva's efforts, Jiva's consciousness gets more and more luminous until it acquires omniscience - pure knowledge which is known as “Kevalyajnana". Jiva with kevalyajnana becomes Siddha, others remain sansarins undergoing the cycle of birth and death. (Ref: pg 59-61)
Q12. What are the characteristics and functions of Ajive?
A12. The five categories of Ajiva were previously described. The most important is the category of Pudgala. This word consists of two roots. “Pud” meaning "to combine" and "gala" meaning to "dissociate". The
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