Jain Journal 1995 07

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

Page 15

JAIN JOURNAL : Vol-XXX, No. 1. JULY 1995
The tree-bodies which bring forth their various parts possess manifold colours, smells, tastes, touches, forms and the food assimilated by the tree in the material of which its various parts as root, stem, leaves etc., are formed which are of manifold form and colours. These animating trees (beings) come into presence due to their karman which is the doctrine taught by the Tirthankaras and others. 12
There are some beings which are born, initiated and sprung from trees whose birth, origin and growth in earth is impelled due to their karman. These beings spring from trees that are initiated in earth and evolve as trees which are originated by trees (i.e. apparently trees sprung from shoots, sprouts, aerial roots etc.,). These beings consume the sap of the trees initiated in earth. 13
There are some beings which are born or originated by trees and grow as their roots, bulb, stem, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds. Each tree has its soul and separate souls reside in the roots. These beings feed on the sap of those trees. These beings annihilate earth-bodies, water-bodies, fire-bodies, wind-bodies and bodies of plants and thereby deprive of life the bodies of manifold movable and immovable beings. These beings absorb, digest and assimilate the destroyed bodies which are consumed before. The bodies of the roots, bulb, stem are of many colours, tastes, smells, touches, forms and arranged of corporeal particles and due to one's karman, grow in the particles of earth which are the origin of many things and spring forth as trees (Āya, Kaya, Kuhana, Kandu, Uuvēhaliya, Esava, Sakkha, Khattaga, Vasāniya). These living beings consume the sap of the earth particles which are the origin of different things. These beings annihilate earth, water, fire, wind and plant-bodies. The bodies of many movable and immovable beings are deprived of life by these beings. These beings absorb, digest and assimilate the destroyed bodies which are annihilated before. The bodies of these trees (Āyas) which spring forth their different parts are of many colours, smells, tastes, touches, forms and are arranged of corporeal particles. According to the Tirthankaras these trees (Ayas) come into existence due to one's karma. 16 So is the case with other beings. 17
There are some beings which are born or originated and grown in water, have in it one's birth, origin and growth, being impelled by
12. Ibid., p. 390. 13. Ibid. p. 390. 14. Ibid., pp. 390-391. 15. Pandit Sri Hemachandraji, Sutrakrtanga Sūtra (Dvitīya Śrutaskandha, pp.
237-238. Hereafter Abbreviated as Sūkr (DVS). 16. JS Part II, p. 391. 17. Sūks (DVS), pp. 241-242.