Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

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Sec. III]
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SOTRA
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the Digha Nikāyal and Sumangalavilāsinza which deal with the elements of Botany, Zoology, Geology, Anatomy, Physiology and Embryology.
Botany As regards the plant life, the BhS gives a clear insight into it by explaining the different stages of its development in a few scattered statements made in course of the sermons of the Master.
The life of all plants exists within the cover of seeds in a state of dormancy to be awakened at a proper time and season under the favourable conditions, though it is imperceptible to the naked human eyes. This life persists within the protective seed-coat for certain periods, resisting against all the forces of the natural phenomena.
In due time and season this dormant life springs up, bursting asunder the seed-coat and begins to grow gradually into a full plant like all beings, though in its immobile state, due to the transformations within itself.
It is explained that the plant also has the feeling experience of touch like all other beings as one-sensed being (ekendriya jäva).
In a dialogue of Lord Mahāvīra with Gośāla Mańkhaliputra on the reanimation of a Tilastambaka (Sesamum plant) the Bhs sheds light on the existence of the plant life.
Sir Jagadisha Chandra Bose also has proved this truth to the world by his proper scientific researches on the silent life of the plants in the nineteenth Century A.D. Germinating Capacity or visibility of different kinds of Seeds
The BKS gives some knowledge of the germinating capacity of different kinds of seeds of corps.
It has already been discussed in connection with the topic Agricultural operation in the first section of the fifth chapter
1 Digha-Nikaya, I, p. 53 f. 9 Sumangalavilusini, 1. p. 160 f. 8 Bhs, 15, 1, 544, 4 Plant Autographs and their Revelations' 1927, Sir J.C. Bose.
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