Jaina Biology

SR No.: 001543
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: J C Sikdar
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad
Total Pages: 340
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, Biology, & Philosophy
File Size: 19 MB

Page 135

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Nabhacaras (Aerial Animals)
Aerial animals are of four kinds, viz. (1) Carmapakṣin (those with membranous wings ),25 e.g. bat (valguli), (2) lomapakṣin (those with feathered wings ), (3) Samudgapakṣin (those with wings in the shape of a box)26 and Vitata pakṣin (those which sit on outspread wings )27.
The longest duration of the life of aerial animals is an Asamkheyabhaga (innumerable part) of a palyopama; the shortest is less than one muhurta.28
The longest life duration of the aerial animals' continuance i. e. the continuous birth in the same type of body is an Asamkheyabhāga of a palyopama plus from two to nine krores of purva years; the shortest is less than one muhurta, according to the Pannavaṇā Sutta.29
Jaina Biology
It is to be noted here that Bhujanga and Uraga30 (or Bhujaparisarpa and Uraḥparisarpa) mean reptiles in popular sense, but here Bhujaga (or Bhujanga) is evidently oriparous limbed animals (limbed reptiles and Batrachians) and "not creatures whose movements are crooked or in the form of a bent bow "31
Uraḥparisarpa or Uraga means apodal reptiles, including snakes (ophidae), Carmapakṣa-paksis, the so-called birds with leathern wings, ( Bats, Chiroptera) e.g. Valguli (flying-fox), Pakṣivirala (flying-cat, Microchiroptera) and Jalūkā (apparently meaning blood - sucking Bats or Vampires), are included in the species of birds, (Pakṣi) because they are homologous and similar in structure and function, but they should be placed in the group of the Mammals as they have all characteristics of the Mammals. Catuspadas which fall under the category of the Mammals is indentical with the Vertebrata.
Fishes:
According to Jaina Biology, there are many kinds of fishes, such as, Sanhamaccha (kind of smooth scaleless fishes; they may be 25. Uttaradhyayana Sutra, 36.187; ; Pannavaṇā 1.86.
26. These interesting birds are said to live outside the Manushottara or world inhabited by men.
27. Uttaradhyayana Sutra 36. 87; Pannavaṇā 1.86.
28.
Uttaradhyayana Sutra 36.190.
29. Ibid. 36.191.
30. Tattvarthadhigama Sûtia II; 34.
31. Positive Sciences of the Ancient Hidus, p. 19.