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THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES (TATTVAS)
Pudgala (Matter)
Wedded to the soul is the great lifeless substance of matter. Whereas the soul's qualities are life, consciouness, knowledge, perception, peace, bliss and power, matter has for its characteristics lifelessness, touch, taste, smell and colour.
The distinction of matter into atoms and molecules (Skandha) has been known to Jainism for centuries. "In an atom there is only one pradesa (Or unit of space)". But, as atoms unite, they become a molecule. The finest kind of matter is that of the Karma forming the Karmic body, which always attends the soul and is the last to be discarded before the entry into the region of liberated souls. A group of Karmic atoms is technically called a Karma-Vargana.
Science recognizes three conditions of matter: solid, liquid and gaseous.
Jainism recognises six conditions:
1. Gross-gross as very gross matter (Solid) e.g. a mountain, a pillar of iron, etc.
2. Gross (liquid), e.g. water, oil etc.
3. Gross-fine e.g. shade, sunshine.
4. Fine-gross, e.g. fragrance, sound, sweetness, etc.
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5. Fine-matter capable of becoming Karmic matter.
6. Fine-fine still finer molecules, in the Karmic body, which is the finest. Fine-fine matter has for its atoms the combination of two or more ultimate atoms (Paramanu).
3. Asrava
The soul is affected by attachment (raga), aversion (dvesha), affection (rati) and infatuation (moha), in the form of the four passions anger, pride, deception, and greed helped by the activity of mind, body, and speech. Such a soul is in a state to receive Karmic matter into it. The technical name given to this activity is Yoga and the attraction of Karmic matter thus brought about, is called Karmamovement (asrava), the third tattva or principle.
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