Proceedings of the Seminar on Prakrit Studies 1973

Author(s): K R Chandra, Dalsukh Malvania, Nagin J Shah
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 54

13
6.
Bis
ents-2 arms, 2 legs and head. In the sixth month bile and blood develop in the body, then in the seventh month 700 veins, 500 tissues of muscle, 9 arteries, 9900000 pores without hair and 35000000 pores with hair, etc. In the eighth month the foetus fully develops for the birth.139 The child is born after the complete course of pragnancy of nine months, seven and a half days and nights 140
The division, growth and differentiation of a fertilized egg into the remarkably complex and interdependent system of organs, which is the adult animal, is certainly one of the most fascinating of all biologic phenomena,
The study of these brief outlines of the world of life, plants and animals, shows the trend how the authors of Prakrit literature contributed to the devlopment of Biology of Ancient India in the hoary past in the absence of the verifying data of the experiments and research of modern Biologists. Their attempt in this fold is thought-provoking and wisdom-evoking.
References 1. Bhagavati Sūtra, Šataka 25, Uddeśaka 2, Sūtra 720; Sthāṇānga Sūtra, 2.95, p. 86.
Pannavaņā Satta, I. 3, p. 4. 2. Bhgava, Su., 25. 2. 720. Panna, Su., 1.3, p. 4; Jivābhigama Sutra, p. 5. 3. Bhaga, Sū., 20. 2. 665. 4. Ibid., 25. 5. 749. 5. Ibid., 33. 1. 844.
Biology, C. A. Villee, p. 16. 7. Acārănga Sutra, Adhyayana I, Uddesaka 6, Sūtra 48, etc.
"Se bemi samtime fasā pānā, tamjaha amdaya poyayā jarāua rasayā samse yayā sammucchimā ubbhiyayā uvavõiyā, esa samsāretti pavuccar" “Se hu munk parinnāyakamme" (54) Ibid. See SBE Vol. XXII, Pt. I, p. 11, Book I, Lecture 1. 6th lesson; "Pudhavi ya au agani ya vāu, tana rukkha biyā ya tasa ya pānā je andayā je ya jarāu pānā samseyayā je rasayābhihāna (1), etc. up to Nidhūya kammam na pavamcuvei, akkhakkhae va sagadam ti bemi"
See SBE XLV, Pt. II, p. 293, 302; Sūtrakstānga Book I, Lecture 7. Su. 1-30 8. Bhaga. Su., 2. 1. 92; 95; 8.5. 328; 11. 9. 417; 11. 22. 435. 9 See the Indian Journal of History of Sciences, Vol. 5, No. I, 1970, Biology in
Ancient and Medieval India, Dr. R. N, Kapil, pp. 125-132, 10. Ibid. 11. Biology, Pt. I. 12. Ibid. 13. Navatattva Prakaranam, V. 6., P, 12. Dharmavijayaji; Lokaprakāśa, Vinayavijayaji,
Pt. I, 3rd Sarga, Vy. 15ff.
Ibid., p. 9. 15. Ibid. 16. Bhaga. Su., 25. 5. 749.
Nigodas are of two kinds, viz.. Nigodaka and Nigodakajiva (fine and gross nigodas). They are collections of infinite number of beings, making minute group, having common breathing in and out (respiration), sense-feeling. They, longing for development, continue evolution of life through the successive Jivapar yāyas (modes of life or being) and they provide the supply of beings in the place of those who have attained liberation. Thus the universe dose not become and will not become
devoid of beings., Bhag. Sü. 12. 2. 443. 17. Biology, p. 9. 18. Bhaga. Sü., 12. 2. 443. Tattvārthādhigama Sutra, 5. 3. Dev. Lal. Surat. (Nityāya
sthitänyarüpāņi ca),