Sambodhi 1975 Vol 04

Author(s): Dalsukh Malvania, H C Bhayani
Publisher: L D Indology Ahmedabad

Page 20

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J. C. Sikdar
manifold movable or immovable creatures (34).00
Some beings born as wind bodies feed on the manifold movable or Immovable creatures (35).97
Some beings born as earth-bodies, e. g., earth, gravel, etc, feed on the humours of the manifold movable and immovable beings (36).98
These modes of nutrition of water-bodied, fire-bodied, wind-bodied, and earth-bodied beings as described in the Sūtrakstānga needs a careful study and scientific verification by the biologists in the light of modern Biology before accepting them as true, as they are thought-provoking.
Ecosystem It appears from the study of the mode of nutrition of all organisms including plants, aquatic, terrestrial and aerial beings, and man, etc. as described in the Jaina Āgamas that plants and animals are not independent of other living things but are interacting and interdependent parts of larger units for survival. So their interaction and interdependence bring to light that ecosystem which is a natural unit of living and non-living parts that Interact to produce a stable system in which the exchange of materials between living and non-living parts follows a circular path, e. g., aquatic organisms-fish, green plants and snails (sambuka)"o form a very small ecosystem in their habitat-water in a pond or lake. .
It has been observed in the discussion on the mode of nutrition that there are "producer" organismsloo-the green plants that can manufacture organic compounds from the simple inorganic substances drawn up from the earth or water, etc. Secondly, there are 'consumer'101 organisms-insects and Insect larvae in the plant-bodies, etc., and fish, etc. in water, which may be carnivores. Finally, there are "decomposer"l02 organisms, bacteria, and fungi "which break down the organic compounds of dead protoplasm
96. Ibid., II. 3,34. c.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 two pieces
of wood or stone are rubbed one against the other, S.B.E. XLV, p. 397. fn. 1. 97. Ibid., II, 3.35. 99; 1bid., II. 3.36. According to the commentators, carth-bodies are
produced in the shape of precious stones, in the head of snakes, of pearls, in the
teeth of elephants, and so in reeds, etc. S.B.E, XLV, p. 397. fn. 2. 99. Tattvarthādhigama Sutra II 24. 100. Sutrakytānga IL 3.2. Trees (plants) feed on the liquid substances of the particles of
earth, consume earth bodies, etc. by manufacturing organic commpounds from the
inorganic substances, 101. Sutrakytānga II, 3.19-20; II, 3.22; II. 3.27, 28, 29. 102. Sūtrakytānga, II. 316. Aya, kuhana (mushroom), etc. are born in the decaying
matters because bacteria break down the organic compounds of dead protoplasm of dead plants and animals into organic substances which can be used by green plants.