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 555

Medical Sciences in Jaina Canons : 533
( viii) Aphrodisiacology or Rejuvenation ( vājikarana, Kșāra-tantra ).
These topics seem to be quite few and their scopes should also be quite incomplete with respect to twentieth century development of mechanical, electrical, electronical and penetrating rays appliances besides more accurate knowledge about the internal and external systems and their mechanisms in the body. Still, they could not be discarded off hand as they contain the seeds for all later developments. Moreover, the general Indian villager is still being cured by this system in majority. Though anatomy and physiology do not find mention here, but they seem to be included in surgery and other related branches. Diseases and their Causes
The disease, in general, is a disturbance in human physical and/or psychological system. This may be natural or accidental, temporary, chronic or fatal. It always causes pain and undesirability. The external causes of pain are nine as per Sthānānga 25 : Overeating, improper posture or food, oversleeping, over-walking, constipation, urinal-obstruction, oversex and adverse food. These causes result in four types of internal. elemental or humoural changes named as disturbances in ( i ) rhenum ( air ), (ii) bile substances, (iii) phelgmic substances and (iv) in the mixture of these three26. This canonical statement differs from three defect-based Ayurvedic system. The medical diseases are, therefore, classified on the basis of these causes. B. A.27 and Ugraditya also support these three principle system in contrast to the canonical one, which seems to be more accurate. However, Ugraditya has classified the diseases under two common-sense heads : (i) significant numbering eight and (ii) non-significant including demonology and toxicology numbering forty-five, representing the acuteness of the diseases. Religiously, he also points out that the primary cause of disease is former kārmic accumulation. Others have pointed out the possession by demons in addition. The current