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Biological Issues in the Bh.S
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Table 6: Paryāptis and Prāņa
Bio-potentials Aliment Body
Sense-organs
Bio-energy 10 Life-span 7 Physical power 1-5 Sense of taste Sense of smell Sense of sight Sense of hearing Sense of touch 8 Respiration 7 Vocal power 6 Mental power
Inhaling and exhaling Speech Mind
Bio-potential, in the view of Dr.N.L.Jain, 66 are of rather physical nature than supra sensual as Akalanka 67 has pointed out because their names represent the formation of various organs to perform different functions internal and external. For example, the respiratory bio-potential, according to him, should mean development of nasal-organ, heart and nervous systems. Any system requires energy, normally supplied by food intake during its digestion and metabolic transformation for working. In absence of a respiratory system, the above processes will become difficult. Even the development of various systems will not be possible. Actually, the inhaling and exhaling is perceptible in all normal and special cases. In a sense, they seem to be grosser than vitalities. The physico-chemical or physiological processes occurring in various organs are known to generate energy to give power and energy. Hence, bio-potentials are primary physical processes of developing a body and its various organs and supplying the necessary caloric energy or force for different bio-energies to grow and function. He further writes 68 that this view is in conformity with the causeeffect relationship between the two. This view will support Sikdar's suggestion of protoplasmic (enzymic or nucleic acidic) nature of biopotentials though this critical analysis could not be assumed during the canonical and pre-canonical periods. However one can realize that the Jain thinkers were keen observers of physical and functional aspects of the living. {D} Instincts or Saṁjñas
Instinct is a widely discussed topic in Jain psychology. The Nandi 69 cannon mentions three kinds of instincts i.e. samjñās, viz 1. kālikopade siki, 2. hetupadesiki, 3. drstivādopadeśiki. These three are of cognitive nature.
According to the Jains, every living being has some natural instincts, or drives or desires which have been called 'samjñās' being physiological or psychical. Instinct is the natural manifestation of a being, which is used by
