________________
190
Jaina Biology
Body Hair (Loma 42 :
Body hairs are called romas in Jaina Biology, they grow on the innee skin. Visuddhimagga also states that "the inner skin envelops the body ( sariravethanacamme jālā) just as dabbha grasses (Desmo. stachya bipinnava staff) grow on the square in a lonely village". 43 Body hairs are not pure like heap hairs but black ish brown (Kālapingalā); they resemble calm roots with the tips bent down, they lie in the two directions, they are found on nearly every part of the surface of the body, but are absent from the palms of the hand and sole of the fee144 as (they) are indicated in Jaina Biology, 45
According to modern anatomy, 46 'the darsal surface of distal phalanges, the umblicus. the glans penis, the inner surface of the prepuce and inner surface of labia majora and minora are free from lomas (body hairs)".
Visuddhimagga states that hair roots are embedded in the skin to the extent of likha". 47
Nails ( Nakhas )48
Nails (nakbas), as mentioned in Jaina Biology, are anatomically speaking, appendages of the skin (stratum corneum of epidermis ) and composed of clear horny cells of the epidsrmis.49 In support of this contention, Visuddhimagga states that nails grow on the tips of the fingers and toes ( dorsal surface of the terminal phalanges) just as children play a game by piercing madhuka fruit (Bassia, latifolia) kernel with sticks, 50
Ja
42. Bhagavati Sūtra 1.7.61. Tandula Veyaliya 2, p. 6; p. 7. 43. VM. XI 49. “Lomā sariravethanacamme jāta Tātha, yatha suññagāmathām
jātesu dabbatiņakesu../", 44. VM. VIII 9. Tattha loma tava. Kalapingala .. hatthapadatalāci ca yebhny
yena avasesasariravethnacamme jäta etc." 45. Tandula Veyāliya, 2, p. 6. 46. Gray's Anatomy, p. 1347. 47. VM. VIII 90. "Pariccdedato sairavethana camme likhāmattan pavisitvä patiţthi
tena, etc," 48. Bhagavati Sūtra 1.7.61 ; Tandula Veyaliya, 2, p. 6; 3. p. 7. 49. Anatomy and Physiology, pp. 674, 676. Dey. 50. VM XI, 50. “Nakha angulinan aggesu jātā. Tattha, yatha, Kumārakesu dan
dakeh madhukathike vijjhitvā kilantesu na dāņdakā jānanti /"
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org
