Scientific Vision of Lord Mahavira

SR No.: 002011
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Chaitanyapragyashreeji
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 202
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Science, & Philosophy
File Size: 12 MB

Page 126

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Scientific Vision of Lord Mahāvīra
which make the cells (blood, bone, skin, etc.) comprising the bodies of all living (including the entire vegetable kingdom) and dead organisms and inorganic atoms, molecules and compounds, in short, almost all things, encountered by us in everyday life belong to Audarika Vargna (ii) Vaikriya Vargaņā (A class of protean matter)
The term vaikriya means "protean" body, i.e. what is capable of transformation at will'. The term vaikriya implies transformations (of the body), which are associated with a divine being or deva who can transform the body from, minute to huge, and vice versa. Celestial bodies of the inhabitants of heaven (devas) and hell (narakis) are composed of the material of this group which is very much more subtle than the previous category. (iii) Ahāraka Vargană (A class of matter related to the communication body)
The structure of this category is subtler than the preceding ones. Ascetics who have acquired special powers to create a unique subtle body called aharaka sarira use it. The learned sage uses this type of body for visiting omniscient persons at far off places, for the purpose of clarifying some doubts about intricate facets of truth. The subtle body stretches out so as to be in communication with the omniscient (kevali) from whom the information sought for, is secured. Thus, aharuka sarira means--communication body. (iv) Taijas Vargaņā (A class of matter related to Luminous Body)
The material belonging to this group is used by the soul to make a subtle body, which always accompanies the soul in its mundane existence i.e., until it achieves emancipation. The body forms an essential link between the soul and its karmana sarira. The taijas body provides energy required by the vital processes of the living organism such as effulgence and digestion. (v) Kārmana or Karma-Vargaņā (A class of karmic matter)
Matter of this group also called karmic matter is responsible for contaminating the soul and keeping it in bondage. Minutest activity of a living being-physical, mental or oral attracts the karmic matter that unites with the soul and is then transformed into kārmana sarīru that is the basis of the mundane existence (in bondage) of the soul. Every worldly living being roaming through the cycles of births and deaths (sansara) carries the karma-sarira with itself until it is finally emancipated.128
Out of the above five bodies, the first alone is perceptible by the sense organs and the others are subtle and imperceptible bodies. Each succeeding one is minuter than the preceding one in order. 129 (vi) Svāsocchväsa or ānāpāna Varganā(Aclass of matterbelongingto Respiration)
Svāsocchväsa means respiration, as indicated by its name, matter in this group is what all living organisms need and use for the vital function of breathing.