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 506

484 : Scientific Contents in Prākrta Canons
moving and, hence, called Tiryañcas. Prajñāpanā 19 classifies the water-moving ones in five major classes, the skymoving in four major classes ( the last two not found in human region ) and landmoving in two major classes as shown in Table 7. Their number of species mentioned in canons seem to be sufficiently limited in comparison to those of zoologists of today. However, there is similarity in both the classifications with respect to gradual developmental base from water to land animals. The human beings are at the top in both the cases. Moreover, as with non-chordata, the canonical classification here too seems to contain some discrepancies such as tortoise and crocodiles are reptiles or arms moving. Rats are mammals rather than reptiles. The birth types mentioned also come in contrast such as rabbit is oviparous rather placental. The zoologists seem to have finer observations which might not have been possible for canonists because of their principles of non-violence. This is a point where this benevolent principle may be held responsible for not obtaining finer knowledge about the living substances.
According to zoologists, men and apes form the primate order of the same subclass of their mammals while canonically men form a separate class by themselves. This is one more difference between canons and zoologists. But this point may be overlooked as man has a special position in whole of the animal kingdom in that (a) it is the highest developed species, (b) it has a languagical speech and ingenious brain and (c) it is subject to religious performance and salvation. There is no mention of apes and chimpanzees in canons which are akin to men in many respects. Per chance, they were not found in India in canonical days. This and other facts suggest that Jaina seers have classified the animal kingdom according to what was observable in canonical times. They held an idea that the world is full of smaller living beings but they have been taken to be 1-sensed under plant kingdom while they are now proved to be at least two sensed beings like protozoa, amoeba.