Journal of Gyansagar Science Foundation 2013 04 01

Author(s): Sanjeev Sogani, Vimal Jain
Publisher: Gyansagar Science Foundation

Page 18

Abstract
Botany In Prakrit Aagam Sahitya
Dr. Rachana R. Jain
Department of Biology M.B. Patel Science College, Anand Gujarat - 388001 Mob: 9427382643; E-mail: rachnajain70@yahoo.in
In Jain Aagam there are different materials available of modern science. In Bhagavati sutra and Pragnapana sutra, there are many facts about current biological sciences. Dr. J.C. Sikdar lightened this concept in his research work. The current science also supplemented most of them. This article deals with some major issues which are related with the plant kingdom which covers the canonical as well as current description. In the days of global promotion of Jain system it is necessary to understand botany (vanaspati vigyan) in brief. Plant has life was proved by the conversation between Mahavira and Goshalak mahabali putra, Mahavir explain that plant has life and how they grow, develop and die.
Bhagavati sutra explains that different type of cereals, pulses and other plant can take time from anantmuruth and maximum seven years to develop into seed and from seed to adult. In Jain Aagam it is also mentioned that plant growth varies from season to season and how does hot, dry and cold climate can effect their growth and development.
There is enough information given related to food of plant in Jain Aagam. Intake of food depends on availability and scarcity of water, different season also affect the nature and quality of food. During winter, plants intake more food with compare to summer. Plants store food and water in their storage organs for unfavorable conditions.
In Bhagvati sutra plants are classified in three categories. (1) Plants with numerable being (Coconut and Palm Tree) (2) Plant with innumerable being which is further classified into one seeded like (Neem, Mango, Karanj) and many seeded like (Amrud Dadim, Amla, Bel) (3) trees with infinite being.
In Sutraktanga plant grows by taking assimilatory the sap from bodies of soil, water, air and fire (sun) they have their intake through fine pores and hair, they intake energy by absorption and solution intake by diffusion and process of osmosis.
Limitations of Scientific knowledge and the concept of knowledge through consciousness in Jain philosophy.
Dr. Surendra Singh Pokharna
Chief Operating Officer, Juriscape
(Hitech Outsourcing Services), Ahmadabad
(Former Scientist, Indian Space Research Organization)
Mob: 09825646519; Email: sspokharna15@yahoo.com,
This paper summarized limitations of the scientific knowledge in general and that which is applicable for living systems and human systems in particular. It is shown that the concept of Jainism that knowledge is structured in the consciousness needs to be examined in the modern context. This type of analysis will provide new way of looking at the knowledge system of Jains in the modern context. Both the systems will be benifited by such an approach.Three examples are given which shows that the concept of knowledge of consciousness has practical meaning and it can be good guiding example to pursue by scientists. Two examples concern with Shatabhdhanies viz. Shrimad Rajchandji and Shri Ajitchandji Maharasa. The third provides a quantitative table which indirectly indicates that ancient Jain Acharyas have attempted to estimate the size of smallest particles of matter and the sizes which they have arrived at are statistically significant and are quite comparable to the sizes of the modern elementary particles of matter.
As another example, it is mentioned that since science has limitations of knowledge, consciousness talks of new frontiers of knowledge which will have far reaching consequences on day to day life. Thus it is mentioned
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