Jaina Biology

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

Page 69

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Jaina Biology
In this way the vermin also feeds on the humours of living animals ( 28, 29). It means that the parasites may obtain their nutrients by ingesting and digesting solid particles or by absorbing organic molecules through their cell-walls from the body fluid or tissues of the host.
Some organisms born in the animate or inanimate bodies of manifold movable or immovable creatures as that (water )-body, which is produced by wind, condensed by wind, and carried along by wind, e. g. hoar-frost, snow, mist, hailstones, dew and rain, feed on the humours of these manifold movable and immovable creatures (30),93 etc. Some beings born in water, come forth in water( -bodies in the water, produced by manifold movable or immovable beings, feed on the humours of the water ( bodies ) produced by manifold movable and immovable creatures (31).
Some beings born in water come forth in water-bodies produced by other water-bodies and feed on the humours of these other water bodies produced by water-bodies (32).
Some beings born in water, come forth as movable creatures in the water produced by water-bodies and feed on the humours of the water ( bodies ) produced by water (33).94
Some beings come forth as fire-bodies in the manifold animate or inanimate bodies of movable or immovable creatures and they feed on the manifold movable or immovable creatures (34).95
Some beings born as wind bodies feed on the manifold movable or immovable creatures (35).96
Some beings born as earth-bodies, e. g. earth, gravel, etc., feed on the humours of the manifold movable and immovable beings (36).97 93. Sūtrakstānga, II. 3.30. This paragraph gives the scientific' explanation of the
way by which water bodies or the bodies of water-lives are produced by wind.
SBE, XLV, p. 396, fn, 2. 94. Sūtrakstānga II. 3. ( 31-33). This statement on the mode of nutrition of water
bodied beings or bacteria needs scientific experiment and verification for its validity. It is difficult to suggest their true identifications at the present state
of knowledge about them on the basis of the Agamas.' 95. Ibid. 11. 3.3+, e.g. when two bulls or elephants rush upon one another, sparks of
fire are seen issuing from their horns or teeth. Fire is produced when to pieces
of wood or stone are rubbed one against the other, SBE. XLV, p. 397, Fn. I. 96. Ibid., II. 3.35. 97. Ibid., II. 3.36. According to the commentators, earth-bodies are produced in the
shape of precious stones, in the head of snakes, of pearls in the teeth ( six ) of elephants, and so in reeds, etc., SBE XLV, p. 397, Fn. 2.