Sthananga Sutra arranges Jain learning into ten “sthānas” or thematic divisions, each carving out a distinct domain of inquiry—think of it as an ancient roadmap to everything from substance to soul. Here’s how it breaks down:

• Dravya (Substance): Explores the nine fundamental substances—jīva (life), ajīva (non-life) and their subtypes.
• Guṇa (Qualities): Catalogues the innumerable attributes that hitch a ride on those substances.
• Karma (Motion): Details the mechanisms of action, reaction and moral cause-and-effect.
• Sāmānya (Universals): Looks at commonalities shared across entities—what makes all trees “tree-like,” for instance.
• Viśeṣa (Particulars): Focuses on individuality, the unique fingerprint of every being.
• Samavāya (Inherence): Unpacks inseparable relationships, like the bond between a pot and its clay.
• Pramāṇa (Means of Knowledge): Maps out perception, inference and testimony—the tools for knowing anything at all.
• Puruṣa (Soul): Delves into the self’s pure, conscious essence, untouched by matter.
• Dharma (Principle of Motion): Not ethical “dharma” but the subtle medium that enables movement.
• Adharma (Principle of Rest): Its counterpart, the condition that allows stillness.

Each chapter reads like an indexed library, offering bite-sized lists—sometimes up to ten or a hundred items—so scholastic pilgrims can zero in on exactly what they need. This modular style feels surprisingly modern, almost like tagging content for today’s search engines. In 2025, digital humanities projects are even using similar taxonomies to archive ancient manuscripts online, proving that breaking down big ideas into neat categories never goes out of fashion. By slicing knowledge into these ten lenses, the Sthananga Sutra provides a timeless toolkit, inviting curious minds to stitch together a fuller tapestry of reality—no stone left unturned.