Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 6

Author(s): L C Jain
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 262

Properties, Structure & Functions of Plant in Jaina Agamic Works
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The Roots and Its Functions The most obvious function of the root is to anchorl the plant and hold it in an upright position; to do this, it branches and rebranches extensively through the soil.2 The second and biologically more important function of the root is the absorption of water and minerals from the soil and the conduction of these substances to the stem (Khamdha).4 In some plants, for example, āluka5 (Amorphophallus Campanalatees), etc. the roots6 have still another function as storage places large for quantities of food.
The Environment of Roots : Soil The soil (pfthivikāya) provides a solid, yet penetrable foundation in which plants can anchor themselves and also serves as a reservoir for
1. Lokaprakāśa I. 5. 107.
Mülam syāt bhūmisambaddham tatra kandaḥ samāśritaḥ
tatra skandha iti mitho bijāntaḥ syuryutaḥ same //” 2. Ibid. 3. Bhagavati Sūtra, 7. 3. 275. “Te Jivā tesim nānāvihajoniyānam pudhaviņam sinehamahareti !"
Sūtrakstānga II, 3. 43. “Malam syāt bhūmisambaddham tatra kandhah samāśritah | Tatra skanddha iti mitho bijāntaḥ syurytaḥ same” v. 107. Atah prthvigatarasamāhāranti same apyami / Yāvat phalaṁ puşpastham bijaṁ phalasamgataṁ v. 108.
Lokapraka ga I, 5. 107-8. 4. Ibid. 5. “Alue mūlae ca, singabere taheva ya
Uttaradhyayana Sūtra 36-96. Gommațasāra (Common), v. 18. 6,
Jivakāņda, ginger, turmeric, etc. are roots. 6. Ibid. Utpala, etc. are born of roots, which function as storage places,
Lokaprakāša, 5. 151. 7. Pudhavijoniya pudhavisambhava...... pudhavisu rukkhattāe viuttamti /”
Sūtrakstānga, II. 3. 43.