Jain Journal 1990 10

Author(s): Jain Bhawan Publication
Publisher: Jain Bhawan Publication

Page 28

OCTOBER, 1990
The earliest earth classification is traceable in Daśavaikālika (i. e. 427 B. C.). It mentions only three types-bhiti, tilä and binding materials. Later on these types have been expanded. Scriptures mention its two broad types: soft and hard. The soft one has five or seven-coloured varieties as shown in Acārānga and Prajñāpaṇā :29
Red, green, yellow, white, black earths (Acārānga)
Red, green, yellow, white, black, pandu and paṇak earths (Prajñāpana)
Perchance these refer to various colored soils found in nature. The hard types are shown in Table 2 as found in literature. Though there seems to be a large amount of similarity in these types, still some addition and deletions forecast many informations. The Acārānga earths contain all solids, the 14 gems being additional to the list totalling 35. In the second classification of about 250 years later, not only gems get included in the list but their number also increases from 14 to 18. Moreover, mercury is also added to metals. This is an exception to the class of solids. This suggests that mercury was discovered or put to use between 300-500 B. C. Though Santisuri follows Prajñāpaṇa, but it has curtailed the number to 21 by condensing the gems to 3 types and seven metals to one type. Some new substances like chalk and soda have also been added with the exclusion of diamond and pebbles etc. Amritacandra Suri29 follows Mülācāra with 21 substances and 15 gems making 36 earths. It excludes mercury and soda but includes copper sulphate. The last two classifications add pewter in metals which is actually an alloy. Amritacandra Suri has made the Masargalla variety into two varieties.
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On Chemical examination of these various earths, it is seen that they contain elements, compounds, minerals, mixtures and gems known during different canonical periods. The earths are said to be the carrier of a variety of valuables. Das avaikālika mentions 24 valuables including some trees and medicinal plants but excluding cereals and pulses.30
Gold has an important status among all the solids, used for coins, ornaments and medicines. It is anti-poison and all proof. Its purity is
29 Vacak Syama, Arya, op. cit., p. 31.
30
Kundakundacarya, Astapahud, Jain Sansthan Mahavirji, 1970, p. 177.