Collected Research Papers in Prakrit and Jainology Vol 02

Author(s): Nalini Joshi
Publisher: University of Pune

Page 55

World of Tiryañcas : The Unique Jaina Perspective
(With Reference to Modern Discoveries)
(A Research Paper presented in the International Conference on Jainaism arranged by the Archaeology & Museums Dept. of Govt. of Karnataka on 8th, 9th, 10th October 2010)
Introduction
Dr. Padmanabha Jainai's paper viz. "Indian Perspectives on the Spirituality of Animals", is
the inspiration of this paper. Dr. Jainai has taken into consideration the Hindu, Jaina and Buddhist views about the spiritual progress in animals mainly on the basis of few mythological stories prevalent in these traditions. When I tried to find the word tiryanca in the scriptorium of Skt., Pāli and Prkt. dictionaries, I came to know that the word tiryanca is repeatedly used and discussed in Jaina texts with various aspects, than Hindus and Buddhists. The typical thought-model of "14 gunasthansa" is of course applied to tiryanca but apart from this, Jainas have given a more deep and serious thought to the world of tiryancas.
Informative and research-based films on insects, birds and animals are regularly shown on T.V.channels like National Geographic, Discovery, Fox History & Entertainment and specially Animal Planet. When we see these films with the Jaina background of tiryanca world, new thoughts arise in our mind. In this paper, an effort is made to co-relate the ancient Indian thoughts and particularly Jaina thoughts with the modern views.
Scope of the Paper
When a researcher tries to understand the Indian perceptions about tiryancas, he finds thousands of references in Hindu, Jaina and Buddhist literature. To limit the scope of this paper, only specific important texts are selected. Secondly, though the word 'tiryanca' is used, most of the observations are presented with reference to 'five-sensed birds and animals having mind' (samjñi pañcendriya tiryancas).
(A) Vedic and Hindu Literature Smrtigranthas :
Manusmrti (with the comm.s of Medhātithi and Kullüka)
Yājñavalkyasmrti (with Aparārka) Epics :
Mahābhārata Auyurveda :
Caraka-samhita Philosophical Systems : Samkhyakārika (Mātharavrtti and Suvarnasaptati) Mythologies :
Märkandeyapurāna and Väyupuräna