Jain Metaphysics: Dravya, Guna, Paryaya, and the Six Dravyas
What the domain tests
This domain tests the substance–attribute–mode structure and the list of six dravyas. Expect questions that distinguish ethical “dharma” from the metaphysical dravya dharma.
Dravya, guna, paryaya
A dravya is a substance that possesses gunas (inseparable qualities) and paryayas (modes). The qualities persist; modes arise and pass. Dravya is the substrate, guna the attribute, paryaya the changing state.
The six dravyas
- Jiva: conscious, plural souls.
- Pudgala: matter, characterized by form, taste, smell, and touch.
- Dharma: the medium that assists motion, not ethical duty.
- Adharma: the medium that assists rest.
- Akasha: space, giving room to all substances.
- Kala: time, the condition of change.
Five are astikayas (extended substances); kala is not an astikaya in the same sense. Dharma and adharma are non-material, non-conscious, and passive conditions, not causes of motion or rest.
Worked example
A clay pot: clay is the dravya, its color and heaviness are gunas, and the pot-shape is a paryaya. When the pot breaks, the clay persists; the shape does not. Reasoning: the exam wants substance–attribute–mode distinguished, not “pot” treated as a permanent substance.
Traps
Do not translate dharma as “duty” or “religion” in this list. Do not say kala is a quality of dravya. Do not treat pudgala as only atoms; it includes aggregates. Do not say guna is separable from dravya.