Few words, infinite meanings. That is the law of the universe. Even the smallest visual or idea can provide boundless knowledge.
Today’s topic is: Ajiva (non-living entities) and their classification — a core part of universal science and elemental knowledge that modern science ultimately depends on.
Just as the soul (Jiva) and its power pervade the universe, Ajiva is also present everywhere. This entire universe is filled not only with living beings but also with countless non-living elements.
Every Jiva has a body — but what is this body made of? It is composed of Ajiva substances. When a soul enters the womb, it gathers Ajiva particles from its surroundings to construct a body. This is a scientific mechanism — an ongoing process involving both Jiva and Ajiva. These Ajiva substances consist of atoms, molecules, and other invisible components, filling every corner of existence.
Jiva and Ajiva: The Core Difference
Just as all souls (Jivas) share consciousness (Chaitanya Shakti), all non-living substances (Ajiva) possess inert power (Jada Shakti).
- Jada Shakti is not man-made.
- It is self-existing, just like the soul.
- It is eternal, with no beginning and no end.
For example, electricity, solar energy, radio waves, ultrasound, and network frequencies — all are Ajiva forms of power. These energies were always present and will continue to exist.
Uniformity in Jiva vs. Diversity in Ajiva
- All souls are identical in quality: all possess consciousness, knowledge, and perception.
- Ajiva entities differ in their attributes and forms — although they all share inertness, their characteristics and quantities vary widely.
Types of Ajiva: Two Broad Categories
Ajiva can be classified into two major types:
- Rupi Ajiva – Visible, tangible, and material (e.g., metals, gases, liquids, physical objects)
- Arupi Ajiva – Invisible, formless, and subtle
Let’s explore Arupi Ajiva first, which comprises four types:
1. Dharmastikaya – The Principle of Motion
- A single, all-pervasive body in the universe.
- It supports movement of all entities — similar to how water allows a fish to swim.
- It does not create motion, but enables it.
2. Adharmastikaya – The Principle of Rest
- Also a single, invisible entity.
- Helps all objects remain stable or stationary.
- For example, why don’t celestial beings or hellish beings fall from their positions in the cosmos? It’s because of Adharmastikaya.
3. Akashastikaya – The Space Provider
- Space is infinite and provides room for all objects, movement, and existence.
- Like a glass filled with water and air bubbles, space accommodates all matter.
- It houses infinite universes — the universe we perceive is just one of many.
4. Kala (Time) – The Agent of Change
- Invisible and intangible, but essential.
- Without time, there would be no change, no movement, no aging, no life cycles.
- Time allows the sun and moon to revolve, enabling day, night, tides, and transformations.
The Fifth: Rupi Ajiva – Pudgal (Matter)
This includes everything we see, touch, smell, taste, and hear — such as:
- Solid (Earth, metal)
- Liquid (Water, chemicals)
- Gas (Air, vapors)
All of these are made of Pudgal — i.e., matter composed of atoms (Anu) and molecules (Paramanu).
- When these break down or decay, they change form — for instance, a 100 kg human body, when cremated, may only leave 2–3 kg of ash. The rest becomes gas or vapor.
- Pudgal has properties like color, taste, smell, and touch.
- The greatest feature of Pudgal is “Gal” – the capacity to decay and reform.
This is the physical science of how matter transforms, breaks, and recombines — an area even modern physics continues to study deeply.
Conclusion
The Jain classification of Ajiva is not merely a spiritual or religious abstraction — it is a profound scientific framework that predates and complements modern scientific understanding.
From invisible elements like time and space, to tangible matter and energy, Jain philosophy identifies and explains the role of each in sustaining the universe. Understanding these five categories of Ajiva — Dharmastikaya, Adharmastikaya, Akashastikaya, Kala, and Pudgal — offers us a deeper grasp of how this infinite cosmos functions.
The scientific lens of Jainism continues to illuminate the truth that everything — seen and unseen — plays a vital role in the grand order of existence.