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 483

Botanical Contents in Prākrta Canons : 461
plants though their sense of touch only. This means that sensations of other senses are also experienced by plants. This fact was not easily explainable until Sir J. C. Bose experimentally verified many sensations experienced by plants. J. B. S. Haldane has gone still further by stating that every plant or its cells possess existence of all five types of sensations. They may be non-existent physically or they may not be fully developed in lower plants. Currently, the botanists are examining various sensations in plants. Sun-flower, Chuimui and many other plants are natural examples. Melodious sounds and high sun has definite effects on plants. It therefore seems that botanists have been able to confirm about multiple sensations in plants as mentioned in Panca-sangraha. Baxter's35 experiments are further confirmation to this effect. It is therefore worth thinking whether canons tell us about the physically visible senses only or whether they might reflect upon their psychical senses too. Other Properties of Plants
As pointed out earlier, Table 1 contains many additional informations about plants in canons in the form of disquisition doors. The plants have normally sub-human destinity but they can have two onward transits. The plants have three bodies, gross, fine luminous and kārmic ones. The gross body may contain upto ten major parts which have been identified. They may have irregular shapes and varying sizes. They have the weakest sixth bone joint system. They have only bodily activity and non-occular vision. They have respirations and intakes of food from all directions. They have indistinct speech ( nonspeaking ). They have 4 vitalities, completions and instincts. They may have dormant mental consciousness. Many more physical informations are available in addition. Besides this, there are some volitional or psychic qualities of plants mentioned. They may have wrong faith and sensory and verbal knowledge. They have attachment and aversion and no restraint. They stand at the first spiritual stage which may be