Jaina Biology

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

Page 67

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Jaina Biology
autotrophic, for although they have chlorophyll and make some of their food, their roots grow into stems of other plants, and they absorb some of their nutrients from their hosts.80
Some organisms born as aquatic plants, such as, Udaga, Avāga, Panaga, Sevāla (algae ), etc. feed on the particles of water, etc. (18).81 They belong to the type of autotropbs which can synthesize their own food from inorganic materials.
Some organisms born as movable beings from trees born in earth, trees originated by trees from the roots, seeds, etc. produced by trees, originated by creepers born on trees, from creepers born on creepers, from the roots, etc. of creepers born on creepers, from grass, from herbs, from plants, from Āya down to Kūra born in earth, from trees born in water, from Udaga up to Pukkhalatthibhaga born in water (19) feed on the sap of the trees, creepers, grass, herbs, plants, be they born in carth, or water, on trees or creepers or grass or herbs or plants; (the sap) of their roots, down to seeds of Āyas, etc. of Udakas, etc. And these creatures consume earth bodies, etc., assimilated by them.82 It is the well known fact in India that the parasitic insects and pests are born in the host plants and destroy thousands of trees and crops including paddy and wheat, etc. by feeding on their sap.
These parasites are movable beings and many obtain their nutrient by ingesting and digesting solid particles or absorbing organic molecules through their cell walls from the body fluids or tissues of the host.
The children of the developing embryos at first feed on the menses of the mother and the semen of the father or both combined into unclean, foul ( substance ). And afterwards they absorb with a part (of their bodies) the essence of whatever food the mothers take. After birth the babies suck the mother's milk but when they grow older, they eat solid rice or gruel, or both movable and immovable beings consume earth bodies, etc. upto assimilated by them (21).83
This mode of nutrition of human beings is scientifically true and it may be called heterotrophic nutrition.
Aquatic animals of five organs of sense, viz., fishes up to porpoises, (sirumāra ) feed on the mother's humours, as long as they are young, they eat plants, or both movable and immovable beings (22).84 80. Biology, p. 85. 81. Sūtrakrtānga II, 3.18. 82. Ibid. II. 3. 19-20). 83. Sūtrakstânga II. 3.21. 84. Ibid. II, 3.22.