📄️ 0. Introduction
The true insight about the Six Existents (6 Dravyas) and the Universe has been one of the most important and essential concepts to be known in Jainism.
📄️ 1. Jeev (Soul)
- All the living organisms, from microorganisms, plants, macro species including animals and humans (also including the Heavenly Beings and Hellish beings existing in the different Realms of the Universe), all are Soul.
📄️ 2. Pudgal (Matter)
- Matter is all the physicality we see around us. Anything and Everything that we can "perceive" by senses (eyes, touch etc.) or by scientific instrument, practical studies etc. fall under the Existent "Matter" (Pudgal).
📄️ 3. and 4. Dharma and Adharma
- The Dharma (Dynamic Medium) and Adharma (Stationary Medium) are the existents of the Universe that are the reason of the "Motion" and "Rest" states existing in the Universe.
📄️ 5. Space (Aakash)
- The existent of the Universe which provides a “home” for all the other existents is "Space". The Matter, Soul, dynamic and stationary media and Time, all reside by the virtue of Space (Akash Dravya).
📄️ 6. Time (Kaal)
- One of the most fascinating thing about the definition of "Time" in Jainism is that it is not abstract! Similar to other existents, it is having a physical importance too. Time is classified in 2 different types:
📄️ Conclusion
- Out of all the 6 existents except the Soul, all the other 5 are non-living entities. The whole idea of understanding the 6 existents is to get true perception about one-self - Soul, the living.