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________________ FUNDAMENTAL TRUTHS 97 Nāraki; those born in a state lower than human and inhabiting the bodies of insects, birds, reptiles, animals, or plants are named Tiryañc; Manuşya are jiva born as human beings; and those who are born as spirits, whether gods or demons,1 are called Devata. These four possible places of birth are shown in the accompanying Svastika sign, which is constantly seen in Jaina books and temples. Manusya Devată Näraki Tiryañċ Jiva may be classified in five ways, according to the iv. Five number of senses it possesses, as Ekendriya, Be-indriya,2 2 classes. Tri-indriya, Corendriya, and Pañċendriya.3 Ekendriya jiva possess only one sense, the sense of touch, iv (a). Ekendribut have four praņa: touch, body, the power of exhaling: and inhaling, and the allotted term of life. ya jiva. They are subdivided into Prithvikāya, Apakāya, Teukāya, Vayukaya, and Vanaspatikāya. Things belonging to the earth, such as stones, lumps of clay, salts, chalk, diamonds and other minerals, are called Prithvīkāya ekendriya. Though ordinary persons are unable to perceive in these the power of suffering, yet a Kevali can do so, for he sees that they have four prāņa, including the power of breathing and of touch. The longest span for which a jiva can be A Vedāntist would not use the word devata to express an evil spirit, and this has sometimes led to confusion. 2 Sanskrit Dvindriya, Trīndriya, Caturindriya, Pañċindriya. 3 It is interesting to compare these divisions with those of Gośāla, which they much resemble. Dr. Jacobi shows how this and the other animistic beliefs of Jainism point to its antiquity. S. B. E., xlv, p. xxxiii. H
SR No.011031
Book TitleReligious Quest of India
Original Sutra AuthorN/A
AuthorJ N Farquhar, Griswold
PublisherJ N Farquhar Griswold
Publication Year
Total Pages365
LanguageEnglish
ClassificationBook_English
File Size25 MB
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