Jainism: Pañcāstikāya –
🌌The Five Eternal Realities of Jain Philosophy | Sanatana Decode
🕉️ Introduction: What Truly Exists?
Jain philosophy begins with one of the deepest inquiries a seeker can ask:
“What is real? What exists forever, and what is merely an illusion?”
In answering this, Jainism lays down its metaphysical foundation in the form of the “Pañcāstikāya”—the Five Existents (pañca asti kāya, literally, “five that have being and body/form”). These are the five eternal substances (dravyas) that constitute all that exists in the universe.
This system was clearly and concisely explained by Ācārya Kundakunda in his classic work Pañcāstikāya Sāra—a jewel of Jain metaphysics.
📜 The Five Astikāyas (Eternal Substances)
| Astikāya Name | Meaning | Category Type |
|---|---|---|
| Jīva | Soul or sentient substance | Living (Chetana) |
| Pudgala | Matter or physical substance | Non-living (Achetana) |
| Dharma | Principle of motion | Non-living |
| Adharma | Principle of rest | Non-living |
| Ākāśa | Space | Non-living |
Note: Time (kāla) is also sometimes considered a sixth substance (dravyā) in expanded metaphysical models, but not classified as astikāya because it does not have body/form (kāya).
1️⃣ Jīva – The Soul (Living Substance)
- Eternal, conscious, formless, and pure
- Infinite in number—present in humans, animals, plants, water, air, fire, earth
- Capable of knowing, feeling, acting, and attaining liberation
Subtypes of Jīva:
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Samsāri Jīva | Bound by karma; in cycle of rebirth |
| Muktā Jīva | Liberated soul (Siddha) |
Key Characteristics (Gunas):
- Upayoga – Awareness/consciousness
- Ananta Darśana – Infinite perception (in pure state)
- Ananta Jñāna – Infinite knowledge
- Ananta Sukh – Infinite bliss
- Ananta Vīrya – Infinite energy
🕊️ Every being is a soul clothed in karma. Realizing and purifying the soul is the essence of Jain path.
2️⃣ Pudgala – Matter or Physical Substance
- Includes all material things—atoms, bodies, speech, karmic particles
- Only Pudgala and Jīva interact in binding karmas
- Only Pudgala is perceivable to the senses
Four Characteristics of Pudgala:
- Rūpa – Form or color
- Sparśa – Touch (hot/cold, rough/smooth)
- Rasa – Taste
- Gandha – Smell
Types:
| Type | Examples |
|---|---|
| Gross | Earth, body, speech, food |
| Subtle | Karma matter, invisible particles |
🧬 Karma is made of Pudgala—subtle, sticky matter that binds due to passions.
3️⃣ Dharma – The Medium of Motion
Not to be confused with moral “Dharma”!
- Acts as the cosmic medium that enables movement
- Present throughout the universe, except Siddha-śilā
- Does not cause motion, but allows motion, like water allows fish to swim
Analogy:
Water is not the cause of swimming, but a medium. Likewise, Dharma-dravya enables movement in Jīva and Pudgala.
4️⃣ Adharma – The Medium of Rest
- Opposite of Dharma
- Cosmic principle that enables beings to stay still or rest
- Essential for balance in the universe
Analogy:
Just as shade allows a traveler to stop and rest, Adharma enables rest and stability.
🔹 Dharma + Adharma are passive substances, not gods or deities.
5️⃣ Ākāśa – Space
- The substance that accommodates all other substances
- Infinite and indivisible
- Divided into:
- Lokākāśa – Space where universe (Jīva + Pudgala) exists
- Alokākāśa – Infinite empty space beyond Lokākāśa
Properties:
- Provides room for motion and existence
- Does not interact, but holds everything like a container
🌌 Ākāśa is the theatre; Jīva and Pudgala are the actors.
⏳ Sixth Substance (Optional): Kāla – Time
- Not an Astikāya (no form/body), but still a Dravya (eternal substance)
- Necessary for continuity, change, evolution
- Only one Kāla dravya exists in the entire universe, which produces infinite time-units (samayas)
⌛ Without time, there is no change. Without change, karma cannot ripen or dissolve.
🧘 Unity of the Pañcāstikāya
Let us now summarize how all five (or six) substances work together:
| Dravya | Role in Universe | Interacts With |
|---|---|---|
| Jīva | The experiencer; pure soul | Pudgala, Karma |
| Pudgala | The experienced; binds karma to Jīva | Jīva |
| Dharma | Enables motion | Jīva & Pudgala |
| Adharma | Enables rest | Jīva & Pudgala |
| Ākāśa | Provides space | All |
| Kāla (extra) | Enables transformation | All |
📜 Sanskrit Verse on the Five Dravyas
जीवः पुद्गलधर्माख्याधर्माकाशसंयुतः।
षड्द्रव्यात्मकं लोके, भेदेनैव प्रतिष्ठितः॥
Jīvaḥ pudgala-dharmākhyā-dharmākāśa-saṁyutaḥ।
Ṣaḍdravyātmakaṁ loke, bhedenaiva pratiṣṭhitaḥ॥
“The universe consists of six substances—soul, matter, dharma, adharma, space, and time—distinct in nature, yet co-existing in cosmic harmony.”
🌿 Learnings for Modern Life
| Jain Concept | Practical Wisdom for Today |
|---|---|
| Jīva is eternal | Value life everywhere—from microbes to mammals |
| Pudgala binds karma | Control speech, food, and desires |
| Dharma-adharma dravyas | Balance motion (work) and rest (rejuvenation) |
| Ākāśa is accommodating | Create mental space for others |
| Time is constant | Use your time consciously |
🧠 Reflection: Knowing What Is Real
Pañcāstikāya doesn’t just describe the universe—it teaches detachment:
- Only soul is sentient—everything else is a tool or trap.
- Realize the Self; don’t cling to the tools.
- Know the eternal reality, and become untouched by illusion.