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 455

Classification and Life Cycle of Living Beings : 433
These processes represent the gradual evolutionary stages of evolution. The first two processes involve the natural process of procreation among the living when no sex-signs are evolved. They occur under favourable or unfavourable conditions. Despite some difference, both of these can be merged into one-a-sexual one. This method involves procreation not involving fusion of nucleii and meosis. It occurs by cell division, fission, budding and part-heno-genesis ( for dipoloids ). This is found only in low level living ones like virus, bacteria and non-flowering plants. The sexual method procreates the new species by mixing and fusion of the nucleii internally or exter+ nally from the same ( tapeworm ) or different species ( of the same type, i.e., earthworm ) called hermaphrodites. This is found mostly in flowering plants, animals and mammals. There are, however, a large number of species in lower plants and animals which are procreated by both these, methods. The experimental verification of both types of births in many species of plants and animals is in sharp contrast with Jaina canons where mention of only a-sexual birth in plants and 1-4 sensed animals has been made55. Their birth does not involve sex in any way. Moreover, it seems that the term 'sammurchima not been very clearly defined. Should the a-sexuality of this birth be involving procreation of the first lowest form of life from the non-living materials spontaneously? If so, it goes against the Jaina theory of non-destruction of soul and cause-effectism. It must, therefore, be defined to maintain these principles. In any case, it can not mean the earlier Cārvāka or later Aristotlean view. Yuvācārya has given a better definition stating it as a way of birth with no fixed place and womb 56. It tries to clarify some points as refuting the spontaneous generation indirectly. However, looking the canonical descriptions, it seems that indirect or invisible sex should also be included in the term so that 14 sensed species of sexual procreation may be included in this class. Though this may not be correct scientifically as they would be called sexually procreated whether it may be direct