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Biology in Jaina Treatise on Reals
Vigrahavati Ca Sansariņah Prāk-caturbhyah
2.28
The wordly beings have transmigratory motion with and without bends. However, the movement with bends lasts prior to four Samaya units of time (i.e. upto three Samaya units).
1.
The word 'prior to four (Samayas)' is intended to indicate the limit of time for the motions with bends.
Q.
Why does it not take more than three Samayas during transmigratory
motion?
A. It is due to the absence of the causes of bends over more than three Samayas. The living being to be born in the mobile channel has to take the largest number of bends as there cannot be linear motion in the absence of successive series. Hence, it commences the three-bend motion - and no more to acquire the mobile channel. He gets to it in the maximum time of there Samayas as Sasthika (Sixity day grown paddy). As this has a definite time of sixty days for ripening, similarly, the living being acquires a new region of birth in this time limit.
2.
The word 'ca' in this aphorism is intended to indicate the conjunctive meaning. This implies that the worldly beings have motions with bends and without bends. The linear motion is without bend. The non-linear motion is with bends.
3. Q. The aphorism 2.28 should contain 'Acaturbhyah' in place of 'Prākcaturbhyah'. It will shorten the aphorism.
A.
This is not correct. It will lead to the inclusion of the fourth Samaya also leading to the fourth bend. This is undesirable.
4. Q. The prefix 'A' is used to mean both-limit and inclusion. This gives better explation. Thus, it could also give the meaning of limit here. Hence, there could be prefix 'A' is 2.28 in place of 'prāk'.
A.
This does not seem to be correct. This will lead to cumbrousness in explanation. The word 'Prak' has, therefore, been used to avoid this and to clarify the correct sense.
There are four types of motions:
(i) Arrow-like linear: straight or without bend (Iṣugati). (ii) Hand-dropping-like single curved motion (Pāņi-muktā). (iii) Plough-shaped (langalikā): motion with two bends. (iv) Cow-urine-like three bend motion (gomūtrikā).
The first type of motion is without bend while the rest three are with bends. The arrow-motion is linear like the arrow reaching straight upto the destination. This occurs in case of the worldly and the liberated beings. It lasts for one Samaya. The hand-dropping-like motion is single-bend as when water etc. is delivered from hand. It lasts for two Samayas. The plough-shaped motion is a two-bend motion like the plough lasting for three Samayas. The cow-urine
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