जैन दर्शन में विश्व : स्वरूप एवं संरचना
Summary
According to Jain philosophy, the universe is termed 'lok'. From a temporal perspective, this lok is beginningless and endless. It is a combination of six substances: five astikayas and one kala (time). These six substances are eternal in terms of existence but changeable in terms of their modes. Jain metaphysics presents a logical theory regarding this, which is elaborated in the first ten sutras of the first chapter of Acharya Shri Tulsi's book, Shri Jain Siddhanta Deepika. In Jain philosophy, nine fundamental truths are propounded as the ultimate truths: jiva (soul), ajiva (non-soul), punya (merit), pap (demerit), asrava (influx of karmic matter), samvara (stoppage of karmic influx), nirjara (shedding of karmas), bandha (bondage of karmas), and moksha (liberation). Considering the third, fourth, and eighth as one reduces this number to seven. These nine truths represent the ultimate reality, not a creator of the universe. The six substances that constitute the universe are: dharmastikaya (the medium of motion), adharmastikaya (the medium of rest), akashastikaya (space), pudgalastikaya (matter), jivastikaya (consciousness), and kala (time). Pudgalastikaya, which possesses touch, taste, smell, and color, is matter; its unit is the atom. Jain atomism is considered the most ancient in the world, predating the Vaisheshika school of Kanada and the atomism of Democritus, and is more detailed. The continuous transformation of these six substances is called creation. Jainism's first Tirthankara was Lord Rishabhadeva, and the twenty-fourth was Lord Mahavira. Jainism is associated with the Shraman tradition from its inception, distinct from the Vedic tradition. These facts are supported by Jain Agamic literature and
Conclusion
This document establishes that Jain philosophy presents a logically consistent metaphysical system where the universe is an eternal, beginningless, and endless aggregate of six eternal substances. The key implication is that creation is not an act of a divine creator but a continuous transformation of these fundamental realities. The detailed exposition of atomism, predating both Vaisheshika and Democritus, positions Jain thought as a uniquely ancient and comprehensive materialist cosmology. The outcome is a clear, non-theistic framework for understanding existence, where the nine fundamental truths (tattvas) serve as ultimate principles for spiritual liberation rather than components of a created world. This structured worldview, supported by a rich textual tradition from Āgamas to modern scholarship, offers a robust alternative to creation-centric cosmologies, emphasizing an impersonal, law-governed universe where the soul's journey is central.