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Animals and their Classification
135
It appears from the study of the hosts of animals as given in the Jaina Āgamas that the various meinbers of the animal kingdom cannot be placed on a single scale ranging from lowest to highest, for their cvolutionary development has occurred in the manner of a branching tree, rather than in a single continuous series. It cannot be said, for example, that the starfish is “higher” or “lower" than the Samvuka (Helix or sankha (Concifera) or Oyster, the two forms are simply representatives of the two main trunks of the evolutionary tree, between the two groups are deep-lying differences of structure and development,
MAN:
Men are of two kinds, viz. Sammürcchima ( asexually reproduced or reproduced by generation acquivoca ) and Garbbavyutkrāntika (men born from the womb i.e. sexually reproduced ).84
As pointed out, men belong to the sub-class of the Mammals. Saminūrcehima manusyas are born in all kinds of dirty places, such as, places of urination, etc.85 It is not possible to recognize them in the light of modern Biology at the present state of our knowledge in the field of taxomony.
Conclusion :
The classification of animals as made in Jain Biology may be summed up by making a comparative study of it with that of animals as found in other Indian Biological Sciences in some respects. For example, Sammürcchima Jivas86 (from two - sensed to four - sensed animals asexually reproduce ) of Jaina Biology may be identified with Ayonija Ksudra Janius 87 (asexually generated small animals), e. g. svedajas (animals born of moisture and heat ) and Udvijja (born of vegetable organisms or melamorphic e. g. the coccinella ).88 Yonija Kşudra Jantus 89 (sexually generated small animals), e. g.
84. Uttaradhyayana Sūtra, 36.171. ; Pannavana 1.92 Tattvārthadhigama Sutra II. 34. 85. Pannavanā, 1.56 86. Uttarādhyayar a Sūtra, 36.171 ; Paņņavāņa, Sutta 1.56.57.58, 87. Pragasta padadabhasya ( sariram dvividham-Yonijamayonijam ca ete.),
Kşudrajantūnām etc. Prthivinirupanam/"
Patanjali's Mahābhāşya, 24.1. (Athavā Nakulaparyanta Kșudrajantavaḥ ) 88. Caraka, sárirasthāna, Chap. III. 16 “ Bhūtānām Caturvidha Yonirbhavati
jarāvandasvedodbhidah" · Ekaikā yonih aparisamkhyeyabhid bhavanti Bhūtānām
äkstiviseşā parisainkhyeyatvāt of Ibid )' 89. Prasastapādabhāsya, Prthanirüpanam/"
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