Philosophy In Jain Agams: Motion of Soul and Matter in Anuśreṇī

The word śreṇī generally stands for queue but in the āgama literature, it is used in a technical sense. It is used for the series of units or points in space.^[1] The series of space units through which soul and matter move from one place to another is called as śreṇī. They move through a definite range of space points. They do not move in a disorderly manner.^[2] Regarding matter, there are two options. When they move independently or naturally, they move in śreṇī but if they move with an external force, it may move in viśreni (out of defined range).^[3] Units of series (śreṇī) exists in space (substance). Thus, they are infinite^[4] because space itself has infinite units. The śreṇī of cosmic space is not infinite, they are innumerable^[5] as cosmic space has only innumerable units. These series have been classified into seven groups on the basis of their shapes.^[6] They are as follows -

1. Ṛjuāyatā (Straight)
2. Ekatovakrā(one-curved)
3. Dvitovakrā(two curved)
4. Ekataḥkhahā(one-side touched)
5. Dvitaḥkhahā(two side touched)
6. Cakravāla (circular)
7. Ardhacakravāla (semi-circular)

1. Ṛjuāyata (straight movement) - when the soul or matter move from upper to lower part of the universe or from lower to upper part, they move in a straight line. They do not take a turn. That route of space units is called as Ṛjuāyatā śreṇi. This movement takes only one instant of time.
2. Ekatovakrā (with one turn) - The series of units of space are always straight but here, turn is denoting the turning movement of soul or matter. When the soul and matter, moving straight on one series of space units, changes its route and enters into another series of space units, it needs to take a turn. Hence, the route undertaken is known as ekatovakrā (with one turn).
3. Dvitovakrā (with two turns) - The route, in which two turns are required as per the above discussions on movement is called as dvitovakrā.
4. Ekataḥkhahā - When an immobile being enters from the left side into the trasanāḍī, then it moves to the left side or the right side. Taking two or three turns, it takes birth in a definite place. That being remains in touch with the space units outside the trasanāḍī from one side. So, it is called as ekataḥkahā (one side touched).
5. Dvitaḥkahā- When an immobile being enter into trasanāḍī from any side. It takes three rounds to move from outer side to the other side and then takes birth in the previously determined definite place. The being here, comes into the touch of the space outside the trasanāḍī from both the sides. Thus it is called as dvitaḥkhahā.
6. Cakravāla - Here, the movement is circular in route. Only matter moves into this kind of route, soul does not take this kind of movement.
7. Ardhacakravāla - In this, the movement is semi-circular.^[7]