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Society, Epistemology and Logic in Indian Tradition
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Consciousness in body
Jaina scriptures enumerate five types of bodies as {1} Gross body (audārika) {2}Protean body(vaikriya) {3}Translocational body(āhāraka) {4}Luminious body (taijasa śarīra) {5}Karmic body (kārmaņaśarīra). In these five types of body, we are aware of the gross body only. All human beings, animals, birds, insects, plants etc. are having gross or audārika body. This body is made of gross material. Vaikriya body is found in heavenly bodies (devas) and hell bodies (nārakas) by birth. In human beings this body may enjoin the gross body after some required spiritual achievement. This body can have different modes on the will of its owner. Ahāraka or translocational body is a subtle body which is used by a monk having a vast knowledge of 14 purvas. This body is used to get answers from a Tīrthankara residing in a distant place like Mahāvideha. This subtle body comes out from the gross body and after getting answer, it enters again at its place. This body may be a mystery for the biologists. Taijasa and Karmic bodies are more subtle and these are not obstructed by any obstacle. These two bodies are found in every non-liberated soul. Karmic body is a store house of Karma- bondage, and Luminous or Taijasa body maintains a level of energy and it is helpful in the procedure of digestion etc. These two subtle bodies live with a soul even in the way of getting a new birth.
Biologists have done experiments on gross body, but they do not know about vaikriya, āhārak, taijasa and karmic bodies. In present human beings vaikriya and āhāraka bodies are often unavailable, but taijasa and Karmic bodies are liable for investigation. If something is known after experiments that might be a pace in the biological science, knowing the mystery of life.
