B.5 Shad Dravya II: Ajiva
An Interactive Study Guide
What is Ajiva? 🤔
Ajiva means anything that is non-living. It doesn't have a soul (Jiva), so it can't feel happy or sad, and it doesn't have birth or death. Because it's inert (Achetan), it cannot accumulate any karma. Think of your toys, books, or a rock – they are all Ajiva!
These substances make up the universe along with Jiva (living beings). Let's explore the five types of Ajiva together!
The 5 Types of Ajiva
Dharmästikäy: The Medium of Motion 🏃♀️
This is what allows Jivas and Pudgal (matter) to move! It is made of two words: Dharma (medium of motion) + Astikäy (collection of spaces).
- It does not make things move, but it helps them move.
- It exists in the entire cosmic universe (Lokäkäsh).
- It is absent in the trans-cosmic space (Alokäkäsh).
Without water, a fish can't swim. Without Dharmästikäy, we couldn't move!
Adharmästikäy: The Medium of Rest 😴
This substance helps moving things to stop and rest. It is made of two words: Adharma (medium of rest) + Astikäy (collection of spaces).
- It does not force things to rest, but it helps them rest.
- Like Dharmästikäy, it exists in the Lokäkäsh but is absent in the Alokäkäsh.
A tired traveler rests under the shade of a tree. The shade doesn't make them rest, but it helps them rest. Adharmästikäy is like that tree's shade for the universe!
Äkäshästikäy: Space 🌌
This is the space that gives room to all the other substances. It's everywhere! It is divided into two parts:
Lokäkäsh (Universe)
The part of space where all the other 5 substances exist.
Alokäkäsh (Empty Space)
The infinite, empty space beyond the Lokäkäsh.
Visualizing the Universe
(Empty Space)
(The Universe)
liberated beings
celestial beings
of Humans & Animals
the Hellish beings
Pudgalästikäy: Matter ✨
Pudgal is everything you can see, touch, taste, or smell! It's the only substance with a physical body. Sound, light, and even darkness are types of matter.
8 Varganäs (Special Matter)
The soul interacts with these 8 special types of matter. Use the buttons to navigate through the flashcards!
Käl: The Interactive Wheel of Time ⏳
Time measures changes. It's a giant wheel (Kälchakra) that's always turning. Hover over a slice of the wheel, or click the buttons to start an animated tour!
Hover on the wheel!
Units of Time: From Tiny to Immense
What is a Palyopam?
Palyopam is a mind-bogglingly HUGE unit of time. Imagine a giant pit, one yojana (about 8 miles) wide and deep, packed with tiny hair tips. The time it takes to empty this pit by taking out just one hair tip every 100 years is one Palyopam.