Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

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

Page 611

586
STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SUTRA
[Ch. X
Instinct (Samjñā)!
Instinct is the natural manifestation of a being which is caused by the stimulus received from the outside world of sensation according to the conditions of soul. It involves the process of an inter-linked chain of actions, directed to some definite and distant objective which is conducive to self-preservation, etc.
According to the BhSa there are stated to be ten kinds of instinct (samjna), viz. āhārasanjna (instinct of eating), bhayasarjñā (fear-instinct), maithuna-samjia (sex-instinct), parigrahasamjna (possessing instinct or appropriating instinct); krodha-sanjñā (instinct of anger), māna-sarjñā (pride-instinct), māyā-sarjā instinct of deceitfulness), lobha-samjñā instinct of greed), loka-samjna (conscious knowlege of particular objects) and oghasarnjna (that of self awareness of general objects).
It appears from the study of these ten instincts that there were originally only four instincts and six more were added to the list of the original four with the subsequent development of psychology. These ten instincts are closely related to emotions, as it is evidenced in the case of fear, anger, pride, deceitfulness and greed.
The classification of instincts into ten categories agrees with that of the modern psychology as advocated by the scholar like McDougall."
According to his theory there are fourteen kinds of instinct, including laughter which belongs to human beings, viz. (1) parental or protective instinct (such as that of a mother ape), (2) Instinct of combat (the mother will fight in defence of her young kiddies), (3) Instinct of curiosity, (4) Food-seeking Instinct, (5) Instinct of repulsion (avoidance or disgust), (6) Instinct of escape (escape from danger), (7) Gregarian Instinct (8) Instinct of selfassertion, (9) Instinct of submission, (10) Mating Instinct, (11) Acquisitive Instinct (12) Constructive Instinct, (13) Instinct of appeal, and (14) Instinct of laughter.
10, 12, 5, 450,
1: Bhs, 7, 8, 296. 8 1b, (comm.), 7, 8, 296. 6 An outline of Psychology-p. 110, McDougall.