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 477

Botanical Contents in Präkṛta Canons : 455
refers to the development from unicellular to multi-cellular stage in current terms. This is known by the fact that the body of such a plant is about 10-15 cm in the beginning. Bigger the plants, larger will be the size and number of cells or lives in them with similar capacities. As multi-cellular life develops, every plant will contain a number of dormant life species in proportion to its body.
Table 2 suggests that individual plants should have clear veins, joints and knots. They should be unequally divisible and threads should be seen there. It should not grow when cut and its barks should be thicker. In contrast to other canons, Dhavala and Gommaṭasāra have defined the supporting individual plants in a similar way as the fine and gross general plants28. This creates a confusion about the distinction between the two which could be avoided by assuming the statements as reflecting the formalisation of substrate in the substratum as individual bodied plants support the life of parasitic general plants.
The Jaina scholars had a keen observation power and they could identify the various plants in this category available in their period. Digambara pro-canons generally do not contain specific lists of individual plants. However, Gommaṭasāra (Jivakāṇḍa )29 mentions their five classes: grasses, tendrils, bulbous roots, small and big trees. In contrast, Prajñāpanā30 and other texts classify them in 12 phylums with many species under each phylum. The twelve phylums are given in Table 4. Out of these, the trees are further sub-classified in two varieties: (i) those yielding single seeded fruits and (ii) those yielding multiseeded fruits. All the twelve categories have a total of 339 plants which when added to the fore-told general plants make the total species of plants well above 450. The details of individual bodied plants are given in Table 4. There might appear some duplication but it may be unavoidable. However, it is clear that this classification is not utilitarian and represents some other similarities specially macroscopic shape. It is said that