Tulsi Prajna 1975 07

SR No.: 524503
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Mahavir Gelada
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 1975
Total Pages: 116
Language: Hindi
Classification: Magazine, India_Tulsi Prajna, & India
File Size: 7 MB

Page 55

The classification of animals referred to in Tholkāppiyam is of considerable scientific significance. It lays stress upon the essential points of difference in internal development and the res. ponse to external stimulai. It brings within one canvas the plant world and the animal world. Specially significant is the inclusion of the sixth sense which differentiates the evolved man from the animal. The few examples cited also show familiarity with the marine forms of life.
The classification of the animate world occurs in the third part of Tholkappiyam, the 'porul athikaram' - in the chapter on usage of words (Marapiyal ). This, the last chapter of the book, deals with the various names denoting young ones, those which denote the males, and those which denote the females. While discussing the names of young ones, Tholkappiar says in verse 579 ‘pillai', 'kulavi', 'kanru' and 'poththu', are appropriate to denote "the young ones of things which have one sense only.”
In verse 580 he says that pa. ddy and grass are not included in them, ( although by implication they are things which have one sense only ). After stating that there are no names for young ones other than those discussed in verses 566-580, he proceeds to divide the animate world into the six categories mentioned
earlier.
This division, therefore, is not in any way connected with any philosophical discussion, religious tenets, or scientific discourses. It is purely a part of the study of the language and the literary forms.
The classification in Tholkāppiyam is in striking contrast to the system in Manusmriti or the Mānava-Dharma-Sāstra. (The Ordinances of Manu)
“Cattle and also deer, and wild beasts with two rows of teeth, demons and devils ( raksasas and pisachas) and men are born from a caul (gerayuja )
"Produced from eggs (are ) birds, snakes, crocodiles, and fish, and tortoises and likewise all others kinds (of reptiles which are ) produced on land or are aquatic ( Andaja)
"From moisture are produced gnats and flies, fleas, and bugs and from heat is produced whatever else is of this kind. (Svedaja)
"All plants (which are ) fixed grow from seeds on slips” (Ud. bhija ) (Ordinances of Manu Lecture 1, Verses 43-46 )
The division of the animate world into four groups according to their modes of birth-( Jerayuja, andaja, swedaja, and udbhija, first made in the Vedic Literature gained wide currency in the post Vedic Literature and found frequent mention in the Puranas and the Mahabharata.
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