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 537

Food Sciences : 515
mentioned in this canon. They fall under 17 categories. They are : (i) lotus roots, (ii) powder of long pepper, ginger and chillies, (iii) hanging fruits like mangoes, (iv) sprouts of fruits and trees, (v) powder of five udumbara tree fruits, (vi) waterborn vegetables, ( vii ) vegetables born from different parts of the plants, ( viii ) denatured sugarcane etc. (ix ) garlic and its parts, (x) plant seed-foods, (xi) half-cooked leafy vegetables, rotten oilcakes, denatured milk-products, ( xii) soft fruits of wood apple etc., (xiii) fruits of specific trees like Asthika, (xiv) different parts of sugarcanes, (xv) green beans and peas, ( xvi ) multi-seeded or stony fruits ( watermelon, cucumber, custard apple, papaya, lemon, pomegranate etc. ) and ( xvii ) thorny fruits like pineapple, jackfruit, etc.
The list of materials above do not pass the criteria of eatability either partly or wholly. These criteria have been included directly or indirectly by Samantabhadra, Pujyapāda, Akalanka, Bhāskaranandi, Aśādhara, Sāstri and others in their attempt to theorise the basic issues involved in non-eatability of different food substances. They are based not only on nonviolent approach but many popular ideas also. Man being a parasitic animal, these bases require independant discussions.
Table 6 summarises the issues where seven categories could be somewhat condensed to fewer numbers 58. However, the literature mentions 22 types of foods as non-eatable under the above criteria. This number got fixed by about thirteenth century. Before that, categories were mentioned, not the fixed number. Sādhvi Manjulā59 mentions that they have been first given in Dharma-sangraha. Later on, many authors have pointed them out. Table 7 gives the list from three sources. Each list seems to have some addition or subtraction despite maintaining the number. It seems many names have been added from time to time and that is why there is some duplication in names and categories. Later on, many authors have pointed them out. For example, the category of denatured materials could include alcohols, butter and some fermented mixed