DRAVYA - KARANA & KARYA DRAVYA

DRAVYA

NIRUKTI (ETYMOLOGY) OF DRAVYA

• The term Dravya is derived from the Sanskrit root 'dru', which means to flow or move.
• It signifies that which possesses existence and acts as the substratum for qualities and actions.
• Dravya is the fundamental entity that forms the basis of all physical and metaphysical existence.
• द्रवनम्भिन्नां गुणकर्मकारणम्।

  नामरूपं तु यत्रा वा भवतीतम्।

  
  

  PARIBHASHA (DEFINITION) OF DRAVYA

• According to Vaiśeṣika Darśana, Dravya is defined as:

  नवस्थितिकर्मगुणकर्मकरमाधारम्।
  द्रव्यमिती तस्मानम् तित्स्थितमेव च।

  • Dravya is an entity that serves as the substratum for Guṇa (qualities) and Karma (actions) and is a fundamental reality that exists independently.

  
  

  CLASSIFICATION OF DRAVYA

• The classification of Dravya is primarily based on Vaiśeṣika Darśana and Ayurvedic texts. Dravya is broadly categorized into nine types:

  1. Pṛthvī (Earth) - Possesses smell as its predominant quality.

  2. Āpa (Water) - Possesses taste as its predominant quality.

  3. Teja (Fire) - Possesses form as its predominant quality.

  4. Vāyu (Air) - Possesses touch as its predominant quality.

  5. Ākāśa (Ether) - Possesses sound as its predominant quality.

  6. Kāla (Time) - Abstract entity responsible for temporal changes.

  7. Dik (Direction) - Provides spatial orientation.

  8. Ātman (Soul) - The conscious principle, responsible for cognition and experience.

  9. Manas (Mind) - The subtle entity responsible for perception and thought processes.

  
  

  पृथिवी यापः तेजः वायुराकाशच।
  कालो दिशैवे शारीर् मनः किल्पकम्।

  
  

  
  

  DIFFERENCE BETWEEN KARANA DRAVYA AND KARYA DRAVYA

  Dravya is further classified into Kāraṇa Dravya (Causal Substance) and Kārya Dravya (Effect Substance) based on its role in creation and transformation.

  
  

  KĀRAṆA DRAVYA (CAUSAL SUBSTANCE)

  • It is the fundamental cause of all transformations.

  • Exists in an unmanifested or potential form before the effect is produced.

  • Examples: Pañcamahābhūta (Five Great Elements), Ātman, and Manas.

  
  

  KĀRYA DRAVYA (EFFECT SUBSTANCE)

  • It is the product or outcome of Kāraṇa Dravya.

  • Exists in a manifested form after being transformed from its cause.

  • Examples: Physical bodies, medicinal formulations, and natural substances derived from the Mahābhūtas.

  कारणम् कार्य च द्वैविभागम्।
  यथा बीजमानम् स्थितिमिति तत्वम्।