Nandanvana

SR No.: 006597
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: N L Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith
Publication Year: 2005
Total Pages: 592
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 25 MB

Page 166

(146) : Nandanavana
have not been included in the liquid class; per chance butter may include them. Water contains two types of creatures - water-born and air-born. It is purified by boiling or using alum. Gaseous water or steam, however, does not find mention in the canons. There are 21 sources for alcoholic waters. Liquids have a spherical shape in general.
Air represents the class of gases. It moves in all directions. It seems, formerly colorless gases were known. They were not visible by eye but experienced by other senses like touch, smell, etc. However, it seems that no other gas except air was known in canonical days. That is why only 5-19 types of airs have been mentioned. Mouth air is an exception in Prajñāpanā, which is chemically different from normal air. This mouth air may represent respiratory air too. Air helps combustion and runs the body. It has a property of expansion, contraction, and obstruction or subjugation. There are many types of micro-organisms in it. It has a kite shape. Despite the aggregatal nature of air, canons do not mention whether it is a compound or mixture.
The fire represents the energy class whether perceivable by eye (light) or other senses (heat, sound). Sunrays are common fires having hot light while moon rays have cold light. The gross fires are enumerated as 6-12 varieties in canons. The fire aggregates show three aspects: heat and/or light and electric lightening. It is the cause of heat, activity, and digestion in the body. It consists of infinite ideal atoms. It has a needle shape. It is also called Taijasa (Luminous). Its size is roughly 10 cm. The heat content has been made the basis of livingness in fires and in earth etc. too. This may not be agreeable to current science. The biochemical and mineral fires are not found in Jaina canons. Conclusion
The above description about chemical contents in Jaina canons suggests that conceptual contents stand on a comparatively better ground in historical perspective. A large part is supported by modern science adding more conceptual areas. Deeper studies of canons suggest that there is a history for the development of each concept. The descriptive chemical contents are also on better footing