Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 7

Author(s): Nand Kishor Prasad
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

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Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin No. 7
our lives, but they effect its course also indirectly. All our tendencies towards better thoughts and actions are governed by the quality of karma molecules getting in and out of bodies. We require better type of molecules for better lives.
The above functions are related with our lives directly. However, the most important aspect of skandhas is their capacity to maintain, modify and form newer and changed objects of different types of molecules. This capacity is the base for development of modern amenities. The purification of water by alum, production of butter from milk, purification of metals by borax and alkalis are all examples of utilitarian changes of chemical nature. This capacity of skandhas has been studied by the scientists extensively and as a result, we have a world full of entertaining materials. Could we say these materials will not lead to our spiritual development ?
Bhagwati and Umaswami mention the six embodiments (earth to trasa kaya), five bodies, speech, mind and respirations as the effects of Skandhas. They also mention 14-15 manifestations of skandhas with some variations with Uttaradhyayan,24 and Umaswami.25 These consist some physical energies and some properties in which changes are observable. They are discussed under the physical contents,
Properties of Skandhas
All fine and gross skandhas have all the general and special properties of matter. There are eight general and six specific properties. They have already been described. Besides, it may be mentioned that each molecule has cohesive or adhesive force inherent in it so that it could combine with its own type or different type. There is variety of action or motion including rotation, vibratiou and translation. Translatory motion has highest force for chemical bonding. There are some technical terms used in this connection like parispand and parivart etc. which have been explained by Sikdar.
Description of Specific Skandhas
The infinite variety of Skandhas can be seen to exist in four specific formsearth, water, air and fire. Kundkund mentions them as dhatus. The four mahabhutas of the Budhdhas and four types of basic atoms of Vaisheshikas remind us some conceptual similarity. It may be suggesred that they represent the various states of matter rather than the specific skandhas. Thus the earth represents the solids, water the liquids, air the gases and fire the various forms of energies. This statement is supported by the fact that the seers have enumerated a