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Dravya

Dravya is defined as that which has states or modifications. In other words whatever serves as the substratum for modification is dravya.

An avasthA or modification is defined as an adventitious quality which should be inseparably related to the substance.

The implication of this is that any transitory modification to which a substance maybe subjected cannot be regarded as an avastha unless it is inherently linked to the substance.

So, for instance when a jar is placed on the ground, the ground assumes a changed condition due its now association with the jar. But it is not an avasthA even though transitory because the jar is separable from the ground.

Further a permanent attribute of a substance cannot be an avasthA, even though it is inseparably linked to the substance.

Cowness, for instance, is inseparable from a cow but insofar as it is not an adventitious quality it is not considered a modification or avasthA of a cow.

The clay is a substance, but the various modes it assumes in the form of a lump- two halves, a pot, vase etc. - are its avasthAs or modifications. It is a dravya because it is the substratum of all the modifications it assumes.

Dravya is applicable not only to physical objects but also to ontological entities.

There are six dravyas

  1. Isvara (God)
  2. jiva (individual self)
  3. jnana (knowledge)
  4. nitya-vibhuti (transcendental matter)
  5. prakrti (cosmic matter)
  6. Kala (Time)

These six dravyas are classified in two types

  1. ajada (non-material or spiritual substance)
    1. Isvara (God)
    2. jiva (individual self)
    3. jnana (knowledge)
    4. nitya-vibhuti (transcendental matter)
  2. jada (material substance)
    1. prakrti (cosmic matter)
    2. Kala (Time)

Sources: SMS Chari (Study on Tattva-mukta-kalapa), Yatindramatadipika


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