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

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406 : Scientific Contents in Prākrta Canons
followed by Prajñāpanā?, but Jivajivābhigama and later procanons follow it. In contrast, Prajñāpanā gives sense-based classification of the worldly beings which seems to be an earlier version of Jivajivābhigama, though it classifies the mobiles on this basis leading to an indirect conclusion of other beings as one-sensed. Jaggi points out that sense-based classification of the living ones by the Jainas shows sufficient advancement over Caraka and Vaiseșikas. Of course, it cannot stand the specificity of the current binomial system of Linaus.
It must, here, be pointed out that Jivajivābhigama does not specifically mention the canonical six-fold groupings despite specific sections in D. S. V., U. T. N. in this regard. Theoretically, the grouping is termed as hylozoic concept, subject to large amount of criticism by scholars like Jacobio and Khushawanta Singh. Current science also does not support the livingness of structurally simple elements or compounds even under earth's crust like earth, water, fire, air *0. In contrast, the basic unit of livingness like protoplasm is a highly complicated structure found in plants and animals and not found in earth etc. Bhagavati and other canons have pointed out many properties of simple bodies including their dormant consciousness and pain-feeling capacity dealt elaborately by Muni Mahendra Kumar in a recent article''. He seems to believe them on the authority of the omniscients and not of scientists. He seems to support Gunaratna's contention of relationship between internal or external heat and livingness12. This logic seems to support the hylozoistic concept of Jainas. Nevertheless, much of his logistics has a confusing taste. Further, most of the details are not subject to scientific verification for characterising livingness in simple molecules or mixtures. Plants and Animals
The above two-fold classification continues to hold the field. Plants and animals have always been assumed to be living since hoary past. This is akin to current Botany and Zoology of biologists. However, one is not in a position to equate this