Jaina Biology

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 41

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paryapti brings about the assimilation and transformation of rasībhūtamahāraṁ (molecules of nutrients) into chyle (rasa), blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow, semen20 etc. of man and into the forms of five senseorgans ear, eye, nose, tongue, skin and bone, marrow, hair, beard, hair on the body (roma) and nail (nakha) "21 of the embryonic growing child that the activites of paryapti provide the energy for the growth and development of the organic system and cells may be thought of as energy transducers that convert the chemical energy and food-stuff into the various forms 22 of energy required for their activities. According to modern Biology, "Such energy transformations are the most fundamental processes of living cells."23 Energy may take the form of heat, light, motion, electricity and chemical energy, etc. "24 It is derived ultimately from the sunlight and stored in the molecules of food25 as the chemical energy of the bonds connecting its constituent atoms. Modern Biology explains that "this chemical energy is a kind of potential energy (radiant energy) that may be thought of as the movement of photons or light quanta."26 All forms of energy are at least partially interconvertible and living organisms are constantly transforming one kind of energy into another."27
Exchanges of Material Between Environment and Cells
The statement on the assimilation of food-stuff taken by man and other vertebrates and its consequent transformation into chyle, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrow, semen, etc.28 and the absorption of dissolved food-stuff by plants through roots in the form of sap (sineha )29 from
Jaina Biology
20. Lokaprakāśa, Pt. I, 3rd Sarga, V. 19.
21. Bhagavati Sutra, 1.7.61.:
Ahāram āhārei tam ciņai soimdiyattae cakkhurimdiy attae ghamimdiyattae jibbhimdiyattae phasimdiyattãe atthimimjakesamamsuromanahattae ", Tandulaveyaliya, Sūtra, 3, p. 7.
22. Chyle, blood, flesh, fat, bone, marrov, semen, etc., Lokaprak āśa, Pt. I, 3rd Sarga, V. 19.
23. Biology, p. 2.
24. Ibid.
25.
"
"Vaikriyāhārakaudarik aingayogyam yathocitām / tam rasībhūtamahāram yaya saktyä punarbhavi //" Lokaprakāśa. Pt. I, 3rd Sarga, V, 18.
Energy is stored in rasībhūtam aharam (molecules of nutrients). Besides, in summer some plants remain green by absorbing energy from the sunlight and storing it in leaf, flowers and fruits, (Bhagavati 7,3.275) and also root, shoot, joint bulb, trunk, seed, (Gom manța săra, 186 (Jiva).
26. Biology. p. 42.
2. Ibid.
28. Lokaprakāśa, Pt. I, 3rd Sarga, V. 19.
29. Sutrakṛtānga, Śruta skandha II, Adhyayana 3, Sūtra 5.