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 505

Zoological Contents in Prākrta Canons : 483
but in most cases specific cells functioning.
(ili ) Barring few cases, all animals have brain or mind which makes them even canonically 5-sensed.
(iv) Barring few species, all 2-4-sensed animals are either bi-sexual or uni-sexuals.
(v) Most of the animals are sexually pro-creative.
( vi ) The canonical 2-sensed class is zoologically a mixed one in comparison to 3/4 sensed class.
The above points are in direct contrast with canonical descriptions. They have been possible due to internal structural studies during microscopic and electron microscopic age. It seems that criteria of canonical classification must have been visible observable sense rather than microscopically observable organs. It is because of this that the zoological classification is an advance over the canonical one. But what strikes canonically most is that all 2-4 sensed creature-group is as the zoologists group them today and all of them come under non-chordata class not mentioned in canons specifically as stated earlier. (b) Chordata Class
The chordata class mostly consists of five sensed animals and men. The hearing sense in animals in many cases is internal. It is external too. Their head or brain, and other sensory-organs are developed and they get akin to men. They are canonically classified according to habitat -- water moving, land moving and sky moving. The water moving ones can be included in protochordata and 1-4 classes of eu-chordata (i.e. fish, crocodiles etc. ). The amphibia is a class of animals which live both — on land and water. Frog is the most common example. This has been and is one of the most common animals for experimental studies. The logicians were using it as a tool for their discussions on many issues. It has been included in the tortoise class. The sky moving birds of all types have been included in the class of aves. The land moving class is included in reptiles and mammals. All these are obliquely