Scientific Secrets of Jainism

Author(s): Nandighoshvijay
Publisher: Research Institute of Scientific Secrets from Indian Oriental Scriptures Ahmedabad

Page 307

27. 'Vigais'
And
'Mahāvigais'
[I have recently got the book "Role of Vegetarian Diet in Health and Disease" published by the Bombay Hospital, Institute of Medical Science. Preceding the index, there is a section: 'Our Contributors", which contains photos of all the writers, doctors etc. who have contributed articles to the book. The most important fact of the book is that not a single writer or doctors a Jain. All are eminent scholars of their subject. On the basis of scientific research, they have supported vegetarianism. In writing this article on Vigais and Mahāvigais, I have made use of this book. The author]
"The philosophical aspect of the Jain religion is logical and therefore, it is
irrefutable. It is not questionable. But as far as geography, astronomy, fitness and unfitness of food to be eaten etc. are concerned, various questions were raised in different ages and if some doubts are raised on account of them, there is nothing surprising."
33 1
During the last four or five decades, science has made a remarkable progress. Today, everyone is probably overpowered by achievements of science. He, therefore, thinks of every rule and principle of religion, morality or good conduct from the scientific view point. Not largely, but to a very small extent, norms about food that is fit or unfit to be eaten, have been changing from time to time. It is, therefore, very necessary to scrutinize the changed modern norms about food that is fit or unfit to be eaten. So much material is available on this subject that a book can be written on it. But in view of the limited space available here, we shall think only about 'Vigais and Mahāvigais'.
fas (Vigai) or fan (Vigaya) is originally a prākṛta word. Its samskṛta form is fafa (vikṛti). The thing which is capable of bringing about a change in nature, quality or form of soul or mind and of defiling it is called a vikṛti in the Jain terminology.2 The things which have called Mahāvikṛtis. According to Jain scriptures vikṛtis are six in number: 1. milk, 2. curds, 3. ghee, 4. oil, 5. jaggery or sugar, 6. fried food.3 Mahāvigais
greater such capacity, are