Pristine Jainism

Author(s): S M Jain
Publisher: Parshwanath Vidyapith

Page 47

(44) : Pristine Jainism
Kalpavṛkṣas are Vegetation and not Earth-form:
Though the description of Kalpavṛkṣas in Jaina literature is almost same as in modern Botany (Science of plants, trees), yet there are some aberrations. According to various descriptions Kalpavṛkṣas are vegetation form (Vanaspati-kāya) but have been put under earth form (Pṛthvi-kāya). तब्बाहिरे असोयं सत्तच्छदचंपचूदवण पुण्णा चेत्ततरुसहिदा ॥
णियणाणात रुजुत्ता चेट्ठति
Tiloyapanṇatti, Ist Part, 3rd Chapter, verse - 31 विविहं कुरुचेंचइया विविहफला विविहरयण परिणामा । छत्रादि छत्रजुत्ता घंटाजालादि रमणिज्जा |
Tiloyapanṇatti, Ist Part, 3rd Chapter, verse - 36 ती गुंछा गुम्मा, कुसुमंकुर फल पवाल परिपुण्णा । बहओ विचित्त quun रुक्ख-समूहा समुत्तुंगा ॥
Tiloyapanṇatti, Ist Part, 4rd Chapter, verse - 323
In the above stanzas there is mention of fruiting, leaves, sprouting and even names of trees, found even today. This categorically proves that Kalpavṛkṣas were factually trees (Vanaspati-kāya), but have been erroneously or superstitiously or metaphorically put under earth form (Pṛthvī-kāya) in metonymical style so typical of literature of that period or it may be an indication of the stone-age (Pāṣāṇa-kāla) tradition. It may be more because of competitive superstitions, which was prevailing, dominating in other religions and sects and more and more people, were drifting away from rational and scientific Jainism. To overcome this the Jain writers also added superstitions, miracles in their writings. The Kalpavṛkṣas were put under earth-form and miraculous properties of giving whatever was desired was attributed to them. This may be compulsion of those times, but was wrong as factually the Kalpavṛkṣas were trees (vegetation) and not stony (Pṛthvi-kāya). Such reconciliations and yielding to pressures and circumstances have done more harms than good for Jainism because this has diluted and distorted its scientific and rational virtues.