Ahimsa the Science of Peace

Author(s): Surendra Bothra
Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Page 58

Tras Jiva (Mobile beings): This category covers everything in the animal kingdom and also some conceptual forms. These have been further categorized into four types according to the physical senses. Two sensed, having the sense of smell in addition to the sense of touch; like shells, leeches etc. Three sensed having the sense of taste also, like lower forms of insects. Four sensed having the sense of vision also, like fly, scorpion etc. The five sensed beings having also the sense of hearing; like all the animals, birds, humans etc., as also the conceptual ones like gods, hell beings, demons etc.
It appears that, although the terms have been taken from the original concepts, the details have been filled in by people having very limited knowledge of the physical world. Also, the later scholars never tried to reform and redefine with the help of factual information. May be, this has been due to the inertia of tradition or closing the doors in face of up-to-date scientific research.
When the followers did not properly understand the basis of division of living organisms into the two broad categories, it appears that they took the simple literal meaning and collected a heap of logic around their belief. Capacity of movement was taken as the basic dividing factor. Based on this, at some point Vayukaya (Air beings) was put into the Tras (mobile) category with the argument that air has movement. As it does not have any initiative or will to move, Vayukaya was also put in the Sthavar category.
When someone put forth the idea that Teukaya (Fire beings) should also be put in the Tras (Mobile) category, it was rejected on the basis that Teukaya does not move on its own but is forced to move by air. Postulations on such weak grounds, like gross movement, appear to be out of place for
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