Microcosmology Atom in Jain Philosophy and Modern Science

Author(s): Jethalal S Zaveri, Mahendramuni
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati

Page 196

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Microcosmology : Atom because it is extremely difficult to compare these groups with anything discovered by the modern science.
The stuff belonging to ānāpāna vargaņā is used by all living beings for the process of respiration. Breathing is an essential activity for sustained life. All living beings from ekendriya to pañcendriya, i.e., those having a single sense-organ of touch to those possessing all the five sense-organs, have to breathe to remain alive.
According to the scientific view also, terresterial and acquatic animals, insects, and plants have to breathe. Of course the respiratory system of fish is different from that of, say, a dog. Plants and insects have again quite different types of systems. But whatever be the system, the stuff that is used in breathing is the element oxygen. Some take it from the air and some take it from the water. Is oxygen, then, the stuff belonging to ānāpāna vargaņā of the Jains ?
The stuff belonging to bhāṣā varganā is used by those who are able to speak. According to the Jains, ekendriya jīvas or sthāvaras are unable to do so but others have the ability to give voice to their feelings. Though not essential for sustaining life, this activity is essential for a purposeful life and to this extent the material in this group is useful for the psychic order of existence.
According to the scientific view, the apparatus for producing speech-sounds consists of vocal cords, pharynx (wind-pipe), larynx (voice-box), etc. Only those few who are quite high up on the ladder of evolution possess these organs. Lower animals can only produce inarticulate sounds from their throats and some others can produce sound not from the throat but by rubbing together other parts of the body. Vibration is an essential condition for producing sound waves. Whether a specific class of matter is necessary for producing voice is not known.
We now come to the mental activities. The process of thinking and other mental processes, according to the Jains, requires dravya manaḥ and bhāva manaḥ. Bhāva manaḥ (psychical mind) is the innate capacity of rational thinking possesed by samjnin (developed) souls, while dravya manaḥ (physical mind) is the