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
percent of the total heat passes through the skin. The evaporation of sweat from the surface of the skin lowers the body temperature by removing from the body the heat necessary to convert liquid into water vapour”.7 According to Jaina Biology, the skin contains number of different sense - receptors (sparśanendriyas = senses of touch) which are responsible for man's ability to feel pressure (guru) temperature, ( tāpà ) and pain (asāta-vedanā) and to discriminate the objects touched - cold ( sita ) or warm (usna ), rough (rükşma ) and smooth ( snigdha ).8 etc.
The Jainacaryas mention 99000009 or 800000010 romaküpas (hairfollicles ) in the skin of the body without hairs and beards, and 3500000011 romakūpas (hair follicles ) having hairs. That is to say, “there are specialized glands located in the skin for giving off a great amount of perspiration, geiting rid of the necessary heat from the body to convert the liquld sweat into water vapour, etc. 12
This view of Jaina Biology is supported to some extent by modern Biology which explains that "specialized glands are located in the skin. Some 2 1/2 million sweat glands occur all over the body, but are most numerous on the palms of the hands, the soles of the feet, in the arm pits and in the forehead; oils glands, too, are found all over the body, but are especially numerous on the face and scalp. They secrete film of oil to keep the hair moist and pliable and to prevent the skin from drying and cracking."13 Parts of the Skin :
According to Jaina Biology, there are seven parts (or layers) of skin,14 While modern Biology states that skin is composed of two main paris : a comparatively thin, outer layer, the epidermis, free of blood vessels, and an inuer, thicker layer, the dermis, packed with
7. Ibid., p. 338. 8. Tatra sparso' aştavidhah : Kahinomrdurgururlaghu sita usnah snigdho rūkşma iti //
Tattvārthadhigama Sūtra. 5.23, Bhagya, p. 356. Navanauim ca romakuvasayashassaim nivattei 9900000 vinä kesama msuņā saha Kesamamsunā add huithao romakuvakodio nivattei "35000000" Tandula Veyaliya,
2, p. 6. 10. Lakṣaṇyasitisca hi romakūpā !". Kalyānakäraka. 3.5 11. Tandula Veyaliya 2. p. 6, 12. Biology. p. 338 13. Biology. p. 338. 14. "Tvac eva sapta", Kalyanakaraka, 3.4, p. 31.