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[2] The Concept of Nigodī-jīvas : a turning point
In the legendary history of Jainas, it is noted that Arya Kālaka or Arya Syāma propounded the concept of nigodi-jīvas. 'Nigoda-vyākhyātā' is the famous epithet of Arya Kālaka. In the Ardhamāgadhi canons like Pannavaņā and Jivābhigama and in the Sauraseni canons like Gommațasāra (Jivakānda), we find this concept in its elucidated form. A curious reader may go through the whole lengthy discussions of nigodas from the lexicons like Jainaendra-Siddhāntakośa. In the present context, we can summarize it likewise -
These nigodi-jīvas are the most undeveloped bio-forms. Innumerable nigodi-jīvas possess a common body. They are found everywhere. They are 'anantānanta' in numbers. They are basically
'sādhāraņa-vanaspatikāyika-jīvas' having one sense-organ i.e. touch."
A traditional presumption is very common in Jaina philosophy. It is said that when a perfect
human soul attains liberation, a single jīva comes out of the nitya-nigoda into itara-nigoda." This presumption implies that when a human soul attains moksa, an undeveloped microscopic organism enters into this saṁsāra.
Thus the concept of nigodas contains the seeds of the theory of evolution. Charles Darwin and his followers have explained the theory in a very elaborative manner.
We can call it as 'Darwinian expressions'.'- When we go through these expressions, we find a striking similarity between Darwinian expressions and Jaina thoughts. Of course, all of us know that the ancient Jaina thoughts are not expressed in the modern scientific technical terms. Here, an attempt has been made to reach the common underlying truth of the both expressions.
[3] Interpretation of Darwinian Expressions in Jaina Terminology
D. Life-process is comprehensive, all-pervasive. The same life-force flows through all sentient beings. It is incarnated through various forms. It flows through the world of vegetation, insects, animals, birds and human beings and act accordingly. The same life-force is seen, from the amoeba upto the developed human being,
J. Jivas are infinite. Upayoga i.e. cognition and consciousness is their common characteristic. 13 Though there is a vast variety of jīvas, according to gati, jāti etc. each carries the common feature i.e. upayoga. We can interpret it as a common life-force.
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D. Life-process is a continuous chain of activities which is comprehensive, interdependent, interrelated, complimentary, reciprocal and collaborative.
J. It is pleasantly astonishing that Umāsvāti had expressed the same view when he gives the
characteristic-based definition of jīvas, viz. 'parasparopagraho jīvānām'.14 The plural used in the word jīvānām' can be interpreted exactly in the Darwinian manner. Umāsvāti had noted down the characteristics of all six dravyas (categories) in the same comprehensive way, putting light on their collaborative nature.
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