Philosophy In Jain Agams: Natural Bond among Pradeśas of Dharmāstikāya etc.

Astikāya exists in the form of aggregates. The whole substance or integrated form of atoms is called as skandha (aggregate). Units of substance are mutually bound. This mutual bonding of units is called as Bandha (bondage). In Bhagavatī, there is a mention of two kinds of bonding - Prayoga (produced by conscious exertion) and Visrasā (natural).^[1] Natural kind of integration (bonding) is again divided into two types-sādi (with beginning) and anādi (beginning less).^[2]

Integration of the units of dharmāstikāya, adharmāstikāya, ākāśāstikāya are included under beginning less natural integration.^[3] Here, the integration is of a partial kind and not a complete one.^[4] The pradeśas of dharma, adharma and ākāśa are eternally integrated.^[5]

The pradeśas of dharmāstikāya, adharmāstikāya and ākāśāstikāya have beginning-less natural integration. All three are inactive substances^[6] and all pervasive. There is no possibility of contraction and expansion in their pradeśas as it is possible in the case of soul and matter. These pradeśas remain as they are for ever. This is the very reason for stating their bonding as beginning less and eternal. Partial bonding is chain like integration whereas complete integration is similar to unification of water and milk. The integration of astikāya is a partial one so the pradeśas are lined or touching one another, but, they do not get unified with each other. Each pradeśa has its own space. Dharma has innumerable pradeśas, so it needs innumerable independent space units to dwell upon. They cannot be co-extensive as the pradeśas of soul and matter.