''Ākāśa'' is

space Space is a three-dimensional continuum containing positions and directions. In classical physics, physical space is often conceived in three linear dimensions. Modern physicists usually consider it, with time, to be part of a boundless ...

in the Jain conception of the

cosmos The cosmos (, ; ) is an alternative name for the universe or its nature or order. Usage of the word ''cosmos'' implies viewing the universe as a complex and orderly system or entity. The cosmos is studied in cosmologya broad discipline covering ...

. It is one of the six '' dravyas'' (substances) and it accommodates the other five, namely sentient beings or souls ('' jīva''), non-sentient substance or matter (''

pudgala In Jainism, Pudgala (or ') is one of the six Dravya (Jainism), Dravyas, or aspects of reality that fabricate the world we live in. The six ''dravya''s include the jiva and the fivefold divisions of ajiva (non-living) category: ''dharma'' (motio ...

''), principle of motion (''

dharma Dharma (; , ) is a key concept in various Indian religions. The term ''dharma'' does not have a single, clear Untranslatability, translation and conveys a multifaceted idea. Etymologically, it comes from the Sanskrit ''dhr-'', meaning ''to hold ...

''), the principle of rest (''

adharma Adharma is the Sanskrit antonym of dharma. It means "that which is not in accord with the dharma". Connotations include betrayal, discord, disharmony, unnaturalness, wrongness, evil, immorality, unrighteousness, wickedness, and vice. Descriptio ...

'') and time (''

kāla Kala (, ) is a Sanskrit term that means 'time' or 'death'. As time personified, destroying all things, Kala is a god of death, and often used as one of the epithets of Yama. In Shaivism, Kala is known as the fiery avatar of Shiva, Bhairava, K ...

'') Ākāśa provides the space for other substances. It does not obstruct. There are two types: Lokakasha and Alokakasha. Alokakasha is beyond the Lokakasha and is empty; it has no other substance.

Etymology

Ākāśa is a compound word of Sanskrit language, wherein "ā" refers to "towards" and "kāśa" refers "to be visible or to appear".

Attributes

Space provides room to all other substances of the universe. The characteristic of space is to give room to or accommodate the other substances. The special feature of space is that it is not restricted to the universe like other substances but extends beyond the universe to the non-universe. Its qualities are as follows: *Provides room to soul, matter, medium of motion, and medium of rest *Pervades everywhere (infinite) *Supports everything and thus it is self supported *Have no form, color, taste, smell, and touch *Does not perform any active action (inactive) *Provides accommodation to soul and matter of their actions *Is one and whole Sky and space both are different. We can see the sky because it is modification of the

Pudgala In Jainism, Pudgala (or ') is one of the six Dravya (Jainism), Dravyas, or aspects of reality that fabricate the world we live in. The six ''dravya''s include the jiva and the fivefold divisions of ajiva (non-living) category: ''dharma'' (motio ...

whereas space is invisible.

Types

Space substance is only one substance and as such it is indivisible (akhand). Universe (lokakasha) and non-universe (alokakasha) are considered its two divisions. Space is divided into two parts: *Lokakas - Where medium of motion and rest substances exist *Alokakas - The remaining space, which is empty and void. The dimension of Lokakasha is fourteen ''rajlok'' or ''rajju'', however Alokakasha is infinite.

Lokakasha

That portion of space in which all the substances are found is called the universe (lokakash). There are three types of Lokakasha; a) Urdhwa Lok, where beings of higher qualities than us live (Siddha Lok where liberated souls stay is at the top of Urdhwalok), b) Madhya Lok - where human beings and other creatures live, and c) Adho Lok, where the inmates of hell live (it has seven layers). At the summit of the ''lokākāśa'' is the ''

Siddhashila Siddhashila is an area in Jain cosmology at the apex of the universe, which is where the Jains believe people who have become '' arihants'' and ''tirthankaras'' go after they die and attain ''moksha ''Moksha'' (; , '), also called ''v ...

'' (abode of the liberated souls). The ''dharma'' and ''adharma'' ''dravyas'' are present only in ''Lokakasha'' and that is why ''jiva'' and ''pudgal'' are also there in the ''Lokakasha'' only.

Alokakasha

The (empty) infinite space outside the universe is called the non-universe (alokakash). In the non-universe, space alone exists without the other five substances. In non-universe there is nothing but space.Dravya
Alokakash is perceptible only to the omniscient.

References

{{Reflist Jain philosophical concepts Jain cosmology