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Biology in Jaina Treatise on Reals
The second type of birth is called uterine birth defined in the commentary. This is sexual birth- direct or indierect. If perceptibility is the criteria, the indirect sex should also be called a-sexual. However, the scientists may not agree to this. The canonical difference between a-sexual, uterine (sexual) and special bed births is shown in the Table-4 below:
S.No.
special bed
Table-4:Difference among three types of Birth a-sexual
sexual Macroscopic
Microscopic short-lived
Long-lived cause-effect, visible
cause-effect, invisible Formation of body form all Formation of body by fusion of male directions
and female nuclei
Longer-lived
Fixed birthplace Time taking Distinct gender Open-cum-closed vagina
formation of body through intake of transformable mattergies Fixed birthplace Spontaneous Distinct gender Closed vagina
No fixed birthplace Spontaneous Neuter gender Open vagina (others), closed vagina (I-sensed) Hot, cold, hot-cum-cold vagina (hot only for firebodied) Wet, dry or mixed vagina
Hot, cold, hot-cum-cold vagina
Hot and cold vagina
Dry vagina
Mixed vagina Conch ,Tortoise, and flat-shaped vagina No.of living species-18 lacs
8 lac species
Largest no. of living species -58 lacs
The canons mention that the uterine birth occurs to those living beings who are 5-sensed with mind. However, as indicated earlier, later observation by the canonists point some cases of uterine birth of deficient-sensed beings too. But there is a point of difference with current knowledge. Many deficient sensed beings have been observed to have uterine birth. It seems there is a wider and more acute observation capacity in current times. It also reflects the canonical contents belonging to the visible observational points of premicroscopic age. However, the second position for the uterine birth suggests that the Jainas also agree to development of sexual birth process preceded by asexual birth.
A number of texts mention the process of development of human embryo. One also finds some points of observational difference between the zoologists and the canonists. As said earlier, the Jainas believe psychic senses associated with the transmigrating soul which develop into physical senses
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