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

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Jaina Biology
Mammals :
All the Jarāyuja and Potaja81 animals come under the species of the Mammals. "The distinguishing features of Mammals are the presence of hair, mammary glands sweat glands, and the differentiation of the teeth into incisors, canines and motors" 82 There are many sub - classes of the Mammals.
The Jarāyuja and Potaja animals of Jaina Biology form the subclass of the Mammals - the Eutheria of Biology which includes all the other mammals, all characterized by the formation of placenta for the nourishment of the developing embryo while within the uterus (Garbha or Jarāyu) of the mother. Some of the principal orders of Jarāyujas and Potajas (i. e. placental mammals ) are the following:
(1) Insectivora -- hedge - hogs (and other creatures, that lap up, e.g.
Svavit and Lāpaka, they are Potajas ).
2) Chiroptera - bats (Valguli83 - flying fox - Potaja, Pakşivirala -
flying Cat, Micro - Chiroptera - Potaja, Jalūkā (blood sucking
bats or Vampires - Potaja ). (3) Carnivora - ( Jarāyuja, lion, tiger, bears, panther, Biļāla = Cat,
Sunaga = dog, foxes (Śrgāla), etc. (4) Rodentia (Sallaka = porcupine, musika = mice, Śaśa and Sayika=
hare, rabbit and squirrel). These mammals have sharp chisellike incisor teeth.
(5) Primates - men, apes and monkeys.
(6)
Artiodactyle - cattle, cow and buffalo, goat, sheep, hog, deer - Herbivorous hooved animals with an even number of digits per foot.
(7) Perissodactyle-horse, ass, camel, rhinoceroses ( Assa, Gaddabha,
Uttha, Gandāra ).
(8) Proboscidea ( Potaja, hasti, elephant).
Cetacea - Whales, dolphines and porpoises (Timi and
Śušumāra) (10) Ichneumon (Nakula, mangoose, Deciduata - Mammals ).
81. Tattvärthadhigama Sutra II. 34. 82. Biology, p. 244. 83. A kind of Carmapakşin, as already pointed out as Valguli.