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 399

term represents different classes of living as shown in Table 4. Bhagavati definitions seem accurate. The important fact here is that all these terms represent observable qualities of physical expressions of the living.
Table 4 Meaning of Terms Denoting the Living.
Terms
1. Prāņi
2. Bhūta
3. Jiva
4. Sattva
Etymological Meaning17b
Vital aired, having
vitalities
Tri-timal existence
Durational existence Good/bad karma binding existence
Definition of Living : 377
Silanka commentary meaning
2-4 sensed living beings (Mobiles)
1-sensed beings (plants or immobiles) 5-sensed beings
Rest of the types of living beings
The definition of the living has been concocted here in the first term also with the first term of Table 2. It has been called Prāņi as it is characterised by 'Prāṇas' translated as life principle, life force, life winds, vital airs and vitalities. The existence of vitalities is the most important property of the living. That is why Dhavala refers vitalities as the cause or instruments of livingness40.
Canonically, there are four vitalities of (i) strength, (ii) senses, (iii) respirations and (iv) duration or life-span or age sub-classified into ten types: (i-iii) three strengths of physique, speech and mind, (iv-viii) five senses known popularly and (ix-x) the last two as individual units41. This is in contrast with 4-7 vitalities by Vedāntins. It is said that the lowest class of living ones has at least four vitalities out of ten : (i) sense of touch, (ii) strength of physique, (iii) respirations and (iv) age. This number increases upto ten as the living character is gradually developed as shown in Table 5. Later scriptures classify the vitalities in terms of physical and psychical varieties. The physical varieties are material in nature while qualities like three jewels or consciousness itself is a psychical vitality42.