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134
Scientific Vision of Lord Mahāvīra
Terms 1. Prāna
Table: 4 Meaning of the Synonyms of the Living Being Bh.s
Śhilänka Commentary that which has the capacity of Two to four sensed living breathing in and out or inhaling beings (mobiles) and exhaling. that which existed, exists and One-sensed beings (plants will exist.
etc. or immobiles) that which lives and experiences Five-sensed beings life and life-span karma. that affected by auspicious and All the living beings inauspicious karma.
2. Bhūta
3. Jίνα
4. Sattva
The existence of vitalities is the most important property of the living beings. That is why the text Dhavala44 refers to vitalities as the cause or instruments of livingness.
In fact, ‘prāna' is translated as life principle, life force, life-wind, vital air and vitality. The canons in generals and the Bh.S in particular 46 mention briefly four kinds of vitalities, viz., (i) strength, (ii) senses, (iii) respirations and (iv) duration or life-span or age. The four are sub-classified into ten types: (i-iii) three strengths of physique, speech and mind, (iv-viii) five senses as known popularly and (ix-x) the last two are respiration and duration of life-span. The lowest class of living beings has at least four vitalities out of the ten. The number of vitalities increases according to the development of the living beings. This is shown in the following table.
04
Table: 5 Vitalities and Paryāpti among Living Beings The Living Being Names of Vitalities
No. of
Paryāpti 1. One-sensed beings 4, sense organ of touch, power of
physique, respiration, life-span 2. Two-sensed beings 6, 2 senses, physical and vocal power,
respiration, life span. 3. Three-sensed beings 7, 3 senses, 2 powers, respiration
and life-span 4. Four-sensed beings 8, 4 senses, 2 strengths, respiration,
life-span 5. Five sensed beings 9, 5 senses, 2 powers, respiration, without mind
life-span 6. Five-sensed beings 10, 5 senses, 3 powers, respiration, with mind
life-span
