Scientific Contents in Prakrta Canons

SR No.: 001670
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 1996
Total Pages: 608
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, & Religion
File Size: 9 MB

Page 353

Contents of Physics -2: Sound, Electricity and Magnetism : 331
Susira Wind instruments &
stretched membranes ( drum & flutes)
Wind Instruments ( pipes & conch etc.)
There are other classifications mentioned by Umāsvātii in Bhāṣya, Pujyapāda, Akalanka and other later scholars. The earliest one seems to be in Bhasya 10 with six classes of sounds five of non-languagical type including collisional sound and the languagical being the sixth no classification like Sthānanga or Pujyapāda type. This is based on the method of production of sounds. The sound may be produced naturally (thunder, electric lightning etc.) or by effort of different beings. The languagical sounds are all by effort while the non-languagical ones may be of both types. Pujyapada classification is summarised in Table 2. This seems to be more general and condensed. This is mostly found in Digambara literature. It is seen that this classification eliminates an inter-classification of Sthānānga, thus, giving an independance for some classes. Similarly, the ornamental and non-ornamental classes seem to have been merged in other varieties. Thirdly, if Mahāprajña commentary11 is taken into account, there seems to be no inclusion of sounds produced through air columns (flute, conch etc.). Rampuria12 has pointed out the difference of opinions about the meaning of the term susira ( air column or metallic sounds). The Pujyapāda classification eliminates these discrepancies by clearcut definitions.
Rampuria mentions an another classification, also based on source. Accordingly, sounds may be (i) due to living (language), (ii) non-living ( thunder, lightning etc.) and (iii) mixed sources (conch, flute etc. ). This seems to be quite preliminary classification of historical interest only.
Akalanka12 has given a little deeper two-fold classification of languagical sounds: (i) Physical and (ii) Psychical. Both are said to be mattergic arising due to specific karmic fruitions. The physical language is generated due to psychical