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500 : Scientific Contents in Prākṛta Canons
the living body as also tabulated in Table 1. These objects are not generally found in canons directly.
Table 1 Canonical and Scientific Objects of Food
(a) Canonical
(b) Scientific
(i) Physical
1. Food increase strength (energy) of the body.
2.
It increases the longevity. 2. It supports the maintainance, repair and procreation of body cells.
3. It supports resistance to diseases in the body by body mechanism.
4. It balances and controls body mechanism.
3.
4.
5.
It gives activity (work capacity ).
It makes life enjoyable.
It increases the lustre of the body.
1. Food supports the basic and specific activities of the body.
6. The natural desire of apatite is satisfied.
7. All the vital fluids remain working.
8. It also serves as medicine. (ii) Spiritual/Psychological 9. It leads to serve others. 10. It supports the austerities and meditation.
11. It is the means for the end object of spiritual development (salvation).
12. It is necessary for religious performances.
13. It makes one easy to learn
knowledge of the inner and outer.
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