Jain Journal 2004 07

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

Page 26

RAJJANKUMAR: LIFE SCIENCEANDJAINISM
body. Each of them is an independent, functional unit, and the different kinds of process of the body are the sum total of the co-ordinated functions of its cells. These cellular units vary considerably in size, shape and functions. Some of the smallest animals have bodies made of a single cell, others such as big animals and huge trees are made of countless billions of cells fitted together?".
The major types of organic substances found in protoplasm are carbohydrates, proteins, liquids, nuclic acids and steroids. Some of these are required for the structural integrity of the cell, others to supply energy for its functioning and still others are of prime importance in regulating metabolism within the cell29. According to Jaina Biology, metabolism is the sum total of all kinds of the chemical activities of paryāptio which provide energy for the growth, maintenance and repair of the organic system as well as of its own growth with intensity. Paryāpti of all cell bodies is constantly changing by taking in new substances, altering them chemically in a variety of ways, building new vital force or energy and transforming the potential energy contained in large molecules of nutrients of chyle (rasa)32 into kinetic energy (sakti) including heat as these substances are converted into other simpler substances. This constant exchange and expenditure of energy is one of the unique characteristic of the living organisms.
The energy exchange stream ofjīva is continuous and is also a normal kind of phenomenon. According to modern Biology, it is a result of different kinds of chemical combinations. Irrespective of this, Jaina Biology advocates that it is a kind of vital force of jīva which consists of combined activities of prāna and paryāpti. Both i.e. prāņa and prayāpti are neither a result of peculiar chemical combination of non-living matter nor a complex activity of jīva itself, but are considered a sort of separate principle (ādhyātmic kriyā) which are pervasive for the organism. They are considered as an impelling force or the prime mover of jīva. It appears to be the actual living material of all living organism i.e. plants and animals like protoplasm of modern Biology. Jain concept of paryāpti and prāņa, as considered the two unique forces of jīva, are not explainable in terms of physics and chemistry. They are associated with jīva and have a full control over the life of jīva. The concept of these forces may be called vitalism which contains