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 254

Asexual and Sexual Reproduction
ear and nose. The arms and legs have developed, at first stage resembling tiny paddles but by this stage the beginnings of fingers and toes are evident."38
In the six-month old embryo bile and blood get generated and in the seventh month 700 siras (circulatory vessels), 500 tissues of muscle and nine dhamanis (veins or arteries ?), 9900000 hair follicles without hair and beard and 35000000 hair follicles with hair develop; in the eighth month the embryo (foetus) is almost at full term, ready to lie born.39 The course of the development of body form of the foetus as described in Jaina Biology is supported by modern Biology to some extent, when it explains that most of the internal organs are well laid out so that development in the remaining seven months consists mostly of an increase in size and the completion of some of the minor details of organ formation. The embryo is about 3 inches long after three months of development, 10 inches long after five months, and 20 inches long after nine months.40"
During the third month the nails begin forming and the sex of the foetus can be distingnished. By four months the face looks quite human; by five months, hair appears on the body and head. During the sixth month, eye-brows and eye-lashes appear. After seven months the foetus resembles an old person with red and wrinkled skin. During the eight and ninth months, fat is deposited under the skin, causing the wrinkles partially to smooth out; the limbs become rounded, the nails project at the finger-tips, the original coat of hair is shed, and the foetus is "at full term" ready to be born."41
243
Here is the point to be noted that both Jaina and Modern Biologies agree to the fact that during the eighth42 and ninth42a months there take place the full development of the foetus and it is "at full term," ready to be born. The child is born after the gestation period of nine months
38. Pamcame mase pamca Pimdiyo Panim siram oeva nivvatte,
Tandula Veyaliya 2, p. 6.
39. Biology, p. 438.
40. "Chatthe mase pittasoniyam uvacinei 6 sattame mase satta sirasayaim 700 Pamca pesisayaim 500 navadhamanio navanuim ca romakuvasayasahassaim nivvattei 9900000 viņa Kesamamsuņa saha Kesamaṁsuņā addhuṭṭhão romakuvakodio nivvattei 35000000. aṭṭhame mase vittikappo havai /",
Tandula Veyaliya 3, p. 6.
41. Biology, p. 439
42. Biology, p. 439.
42/a Biology, p. 439.