God in Vedas and Upanishads

Re: # 88, sanjay:
Your presumption is correct.

Theoretically, I agree with you regarding UWR Philosophy Project. However, all religions are intimately and inextricably entwined with politics, economics and self-worth estimations of the populations espousing them, therefore, any synthesis of the religions can materialize only infinitesimally and only when the conjunction of other considerations leaves no way to avoid it.

I totally agree with your mode of thinking on this. See my profile. Currently, it can be done only on individual level and one can hope that some time in future there will be a critical mass (pardon my nuclear engineering) to lead to self-propelling progress.

In my study of Upanishads, I was amazed that so many thousand years ago there were thinkers and introspectors who could think through the the complex problems of life. Much of it seems to be confirmed by the more systematic investigations of the modern science. Furthermore, the Hindu system of correct memorization and transmittal to subsequent generations is simply miraculous.

INQUIRER

I pressume that you are the author of the article in question.

Now, Hindu Civilisation has gone through many phases. After passing of each phase,(it appears) that the Religous Philosphy has been reviewed and based on the experience gained, it has been modified. Otherwise, how do you explain so many ideas(often conflicting) floating around.

The Hindu Civilisation of today is passing through yet another phase i.e. of the modern scietific world and luckily it is not in conflict with it. It also now has the knowledge of other religions as well namely Christianity, Islam etc.

So isnt it the time that the entire Hindu Philosphy as of existing now is reviewed and modified( keeping in view the tenets of other religions also) and a truly Universal World Religous Philosphy is evolved??

What do you think??

#8 Hasanji,
Conrad Lorenz I think it was, described a bird with beautiful plumage that evolved with the single-minded purpose of attracting many mates. But, alas, the plumage was so heavy the bird could no longer fly and could walk only awkwardly...
Egalitarian societies tend not to survive very long.

Re: # 60. pmishra2:

I totally agree with you.

#1,sanjay:
Vedas are scriptures.
The leader/originators of the religions of the world knew liitle science. All this is afterthoughts.

#3, subhashjoshi:
See the last section.

#4, urstruly:
You need to define ``created product.``
The entire idea of God aside from one`s Self is fallacious. Monotheisms - Judaism, Christianity and Islam are approximations to Vedantic-Logical Science.

#5, singularity:
I agree with most of your second paragraph. I would, however, add that the emphasis should not be on ``something to worship`` but on ``whichever way one can worship.``

#8, nasah:
Social groups following any religion contain all sorts of people. Same/similar things can be said for all religions.

#27, swarrier:
Very good response. Often times people are unable to understand what is being said and they start criticizing instead of seeking help.
#29, swarrier: Exactly right.
#30, swarrier: Of course, you are not wrong.

#28, Rizwan:
Please ask your question instead of quoting many a unrelated pages.

Re: # 82
Jang is not anything. Jang is a state of mind. It knows things like a+ib , the meaning of life, and the restaurant at the edge of the universe. It can also simplify, multiply , diversify, and deify.-)

#82 sirjee, on this website, you have to simplify ;-)

Re: # 81, Jang:
You must be a Muslim, no Hindu knows that capsule info about about themselves so well!!

#78 ``Most Hindus derive their religious directions not from Vedas but the Epics, viz., Ramayan and Mahabharat. ``

i thunks hindus do the following.
- Rituals are Vedic (puja, wedding in front of a fire etc)
- Spirituality is Puranic (personal gods, vaishnavite bhakti)
- Moral dilema is itihasic (Ramayan/Mahabharat..when to kill brothers-teachers, one-woman marriage, loyalty etc)
- acedemic philisophy (which is pretty-much ignored by everyone) is vedanta-upanishadic

e.g. for moral compass, noone looks towards Indra or his (sometimes lustful wife) Shachi and noone recites bhagwadgita at birth of a child..however when someone dies, after the rituals are over, the pandit might dish-out some upanishadic stuff about atma meeting the paramatma.

Re: # 60, pmishra2:
Thanks alot for so succinctly stating the the key information and the implied way of discussing the inter-religious issues. I totally expected that from you.

To All respondents:
Please follow The Chowk`s advice of providing only the links to the information you want to quote. You should explicitly provide only your own thoughts. That would make it easy to follow the developments.

Re: # 57, Rizwan:
I am sorry that my diction and the precision of statements are doing the reverse for you of what I intended. But thanks for the clarificatory questions.
Section (a) first: The Vedas conceptualize God as a means to derive benefit while the Upanishads go beyond this childlike desire and provide an intellectual frame work for the mystic feelings.
2%: By ``not even more than a few percent of Hindus have a connection betwen their practiced religion and Vedas/Upanishads.`` I did not mean ``interest`` as you interpretted. Most Hindus derive their religious directions not from Vedas but the Epics, viz., Ramayan and Mahabharat.
Developmental Culmination etc.: You see, inspite of the shruti (=revealed) nature of Vedas, the conception of God in them is simple minded and lacks the intellectual depth (and therefore it has like take-it-or-leave-it quality, just as it is in Judaism, Christianity and Islam) that culminated in the Upanishads. Now, ``tentative surmises`` of the Vedas should be obvious.

#various by harshreality

Yaar, can you tell us the name of the book you`re quoting from. I`d like to buy it.

#54 RIZWAN


Can you present a proof that if Bhagwad Gita give this idea of live matter or dead matter?

Verse 10.0 in Chapter 9.0 Says :-

Superintended by me the illusory external energy manifests all moving and non-moving entities; for this reason O Arjuna, the universal manifestation is created repeatedly.

The sanskrit word used in the Shloka is Char and Achar which means living and dead. However, in the above translation, the words have been translated as moving and non-moving entities which mean the same. Nevertheless, Chapter 9.0 gives enough evidence of presence of living and dead matter though it talks more of Living Matter.

Another Verse 3.0 in Chapter 14 says :-

O Arjuna, the entire expansive material energy is the womb into which I infuse the embryo of individual conciousness; subsequently manifested by me;every species of life is generated.

The above verse also clearly talks about the dead matter into which the embryo of conciousness is infused to make it living matter.


See, one objection against Hinuds is this ``Now in this modern world, if hindu scripture are read as originally written then they appear hollow and devoid of wisdom and filled with comical ideas, due to this Hindu friends try to put new cover on the book, to do so they put forward new commentries which will squeeze enlightened ideas as Humanity has learned now into those old books

Well I dont have any comments for that. It all depends upon what you read, how you read and with whom you discuss--ie whether they are interested in this subject or not.

one more great book on karma

http://www.jainworld.com/book/samaysara/index.asp

continued from previous post..............



that forms a definite
number of chromosomes. These chromosomes carry heredity factors or genes. Chromosomes
are pairs and each chromosome contain 1000 or so genes that also occur in pairs.
The process of inheritance is based upon the process in which the offspring receives one of each
gene pair from each parent. Some genes are dominant and some are recessive. An individual
with dominant gene, for a particular characteristic, displays that characteristic whether only one or
both genes in the pair are dominant. If a gene is recessive, however, the characteristic associated
with it does not show up unless both genes in the gene pair are recessive. In case only one gene
in a pair is recessive, its effect will be marked by its dominant partner, but the recessive gene
may still be passed on to the individual’s offspring. Some characteristics are produced by a single
gene or gene pair. Whereas multiple – factor inheritance involves the action of several genes.
Genes are now known to be implemented as sequences of genetic code that direct specific cells
to produce a particular protein at a particular time. An essentially infinite number of possible
different protein molecules can be produced depending on the particular order of amino acid
molecules used in their construction. The code for protein production has been ``broken`` so that
we now know that a three-letter sequence (a codon) is used to specify a particular amino acid
(there are 20 amino acids) For instance, the sequence GGC specifies that the amino acid glycine
is to be added to a protein molecule. Start and stop codons mark the beginning and end of a
protein coding sequence in a manner startlingly like modern data communications schemes
There are 64 possible codons and only 20 possible amino acids so some redundancy and error
correction exists. The regulatory code sequences in genes that specify in which parts of the body
and/or at which times a protein will be produced are much more complex and less well
understood.
The genetic code has been compared to a blueprint specifying the design of an organism. In fact
the genetic code specifies not only the design of the organism but provides for the mechanisms
needed to ``read`` the code and manufacture the components of the organism as well as
specifying the procedures needed for the life processes of the finished organism. Simple
organisms are completely defined genetically. Each tiny nematode worm has exactly 958 cells.
Humans, on the other hand, have trillions of cells and 30,000 genes so the genetic code is more
of a general plan. For example, major blood vessels are genetically specified. Everybody has an
aorta. But minor blood vessels grow where needed according to genetically defined rules.
Although all the somatic cells in an organism contain the complete code, in any given cell only a
relatively few genes are active. The difference in the genes that are active determines the
difference between, say, liver and brain cells. A complex gene logic determines when and where
a particular gene will be ``turned on``. The gene logic can accommodate varying amounts of
positional detail. The gene logic also controls when various activities will take place. Cells divide
rapidly in growing organisms but do not divide in adults unless needed to replace dead or
discarded cells. (Cancer involves a major breakdown in the gene logic in which cells grow in both
an inappropriate position and at an inappropriate time. Cancer is thought to require multiple
mutations, some of which can be inherited.)
The early insight from Human DNA sequence is summarized below:-
1. Human genome contains 3 billion bases.
2. An average gene consists of 3000 bases.
3. The functions are unknown for more than 50% of discovered genes.
4. The human genome sequence is almost (99.9%) exactly the same in all people.
5. About 2% of the genome encodes instructions for the synthesis of proteins.
6. Repeat sequences that do not code for proteins make up at least 50% of the human
genome.
7. Repeat sequences are thought to have no direct functions. But they shed light on
chromosome structure and dynamics. Over time more repeats reshape the genome by
rearranging it, thereby creating entirely new genes or modifying and reshuffling existing
genes.
8. The human genome has a much greater portion (50%) of repeat sequences than the
mustard weed (11%), the worm (7%) and the fly (3%).
9. Over 40% of the predicted human proteins share similarly with fruit-fly or worm
proteins.
10. Genes appear to be concentrated in random areas along the genome, with vast
expenses of non coding DNA between.
11. Chromosome 1 (The largest human chromosome) has the most genes (2968), and
the Y chromosome has the fewest (231).
12. Genes have been pinpointed and particular sequences in those genes associated
with numerous diseases and disorders including breast cancer, muscle disease,
deafness and blindness.
13. Scientists have identified about 3 million locations where single base DNA differences
occur in humans. This information promises to revolutionize the processes of finding DNA
sequences associated with such common disease as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,
arthritis, and cancers.
Scientists suggest that the genetic key to human complexity lies not in a gene number but in how
gene parts are used to build different products in a process called alternative splicing. Other
underlying reasons for greater complexity are the thousands of chemical modifications made to
proteins and the repertoire of regulatory mechanisms controlling these process.
The HGP project is complete, many questions still remain unanswered, including the function of
most of the estimated 30000 genes. Researches also do not know the role of Single Nucleotide
Polymorphisms (SNPs), single DNA base changes within the genome or the role of non-coding
regions and repeats in the genome.
Mice and humans (indeed, most or all mammals including dogs,
Table 2: Comparative genome sizes of humans and other organisms.
cats, rabbits, monkeys and apes) have roughly the same number of nucleotides in their genomes
– about 3 billion base pairs. This implies that all mammals contain more or less the same number
of genes.
Gene duplication occurs frequently in complex genomes; sometimes the duplicated copies
degenerate to the points where they no longer are capable of encoding a protein. However, many
duplicated genes remain active and over time may change enough to perform a new function.
Since gene duplication is ongoing process, mice may have active duplicates that humans do not
posses, and vice versa. These appear to make up a small percentage of the total genes, not
larger than 1% of the total. Nevertheless, these novel genes may play an important role in
determining species specific traits and functions.
What really matters is that subtle changes accumulated in each of the approximately 30000
genes add together to make quite different organisms. Further, genes and proteins interact in
complex ways that multiply the functions of each. In addition, a gene can produce more than one
protein product through alternative splicing or post-translational modification; these events do not
always occurs in an identical way in the two species. A gene can produce more or less proteins in
different cells at various times in response to developmental or environmental cues, and many
proteins can express disparate functions in various biological contexts. Thus subtle distinctions
are multiplied by the more than 30000 estimated genes.
Some nucleotide changes are neutral and do not-yield a significantly altered protein. Others, but
only a relatively small percentage, would introduce changes that could substantially alter what the
protein does. Put these alterations in the context of known inherited diseases, a single nucleotide
change can lead to inheritance of sickle cell disease, cystic fibrosis or breast cancer. A single
nucleotide difference can alter protein function in such a way that it causes a terrible tissue
malfunction. Single nucleotide changes have been linked to hereditary differences in height, brain
development, facial structure, pigmentation and many other striking morphological differences ;
due to single nucleotide changes, hands can develop structure that look like toes instead to
fingers, and a mouse’s tail can disappear completely. Many of the average 15% nucleotide
changes that distinguish humans and mouse genes are neutral, some lead to subtle changes,
where as others are associated with dramatic differences. Add them all together, and they can
make quite an impact, as evidenced by the huge range of metabolic, morphological, and
behavioral differences we sea among organisms.
Although genes get a lot of attention, it is the proteins that perform most life functions and even
make up the majority of cellular structures. Proteins are large, complex molecules made up of
smaller subunits called amino acids. Chemical properties that distinguish the 20 different amino
acids cause the protein chain to fold up into specific three dimensional structures that define their
particular functions in the cell.
The constellation of all proteins in a cell is called its proteome. Unlike the relatively unchanging
genome, the dynamic proteome changes from minute to minute in response to tens of thousands
of intra-and-extra cellular environmental signals. A protein’s chemistry and behaviour are
specified by the gene sequence and by the number and identities of other proteins made in the
same cell at the same time and with which it associates and reacts. Studies to explore protein
structure and activities, known as proteomics, will be the focus of much research for decades to
come and will help elucidate the molecular basis of health and disease.
Most genes contain a switch called promoter. This switch regulates the activities of the gene and
decides when and how the gene should become or not become active. An enhancer also works
in the gene. The promoter and enhancer work only when the transcription factors responsible for
mutation are operating. The genes are our active partners and are sensitive to the changes taking
place in our body and mind and they register these changes by making suitable changes in their
structure. By channeling our thoughts in a specific direction the genes can be changed, thus
enabling us to progress in a desired way. This supports the view that spiritual persons can
increase their power by sacred thoughts and determination. The genes are not our masters but
are our servants, they are governed by our thoughts and influenced by our environment.
Studies in behavioral genetics have shown that both genetic and environmental factors influence
the normal and deviant behavior of human beings. Only a few decades ago, psychologists
believed that characteristics of human behavior were almost entirely the result of environmental
influences. These characteristics now are known to be genetically influenced, in many cases to a
substantial degree. Intelligence and memory, novelty seeking and activity level, and shyness and
sociability all show some degree of genetic influence.
The principal role of genes in the chromosomes of human has now been identified. Faulty genes
in chromosomes lead to different diseases as mentioned below.
CH1: Contains records of past lives. Faulty gene for GBA enzyme, which breaks
down certain fats, leads to Gaucher’s, disease.
CH2: It contains the history of journey leading to human life.
It has details of births in various species we lived before. Faulty PAX – 3 gene is
associated with deafness and color difference in eyes. This causes Wardenburg
syndrome.
CH3: Contains evidences for the entire past history in the form of genes. Faulty
VHL gene causes abnormal blood vessel formation. This gives von Hippel –
Lindau disease. The genes are related to diabetes, obesity, etc.
CH4: This contains information about our future. It also carries hints about
forthcoming disease and traits. Faulty gene causes dementia. This leads to
Huntington’s disease.
CH5: This is very sensitive to environment and contains information about our
immune system. It helps in study of genetic disease like asthma, diabetes, etc.
Faulty gene cause malformed hands and feat. This leads to diastrophic
dysplasia.
CH6: This is the intelligent chromosome, it is the basis of our intelligence. It has
been shown that in some cases intelligence is hereditary. Faulty SCA1 gene
causes clumsiness through withering of the cerebellum. This leads to Spinocerebellaratrophy.
CH7: It contains those characteristics which determine our behavior as human
being. This is regarded as the most important chromosome. Faulty gene causes
fatal build-up of mucus in lungs and pancreas. This leads to Cystic fibrosis.
Chromosome-7 contains genes related to William Neuron Syndrome which
causes mental disability and defiguring of face. They also influence leukemia, the
cancer of blood cells.
CH8: This contains information about our likings and choices. Our habits and
nature are stored and transmitted to next life. This means that our merits and
demerits are also influenced by hereditary factors. Defective gene causes
premature ageing. This leads to Werner’s syndrome.
CH9: This determines the blood group. It also has a role in disease we suffer.
Skin cancer is more likely in people with faulty CDKN2 tumor repressor gene.
This leads to Malignant melanoma
CH 10: This chromosome contains the gene CYP17, which produces an enzyme
that converts cholesterol into harmones called cartisol and Testosterone. These
hormones produce stress in the body. Defect in MEN2A gene causes tumors of
thyroid and adrenal glands. This leads to multiple Endocrine Neoplasia.
CH11: This contains genes which influence our personality. Harvey RAS
oncogene predisposes to common cancers. This leads to cancer.
CH12: This is self assembled. Defects in PAH gene causes mental retardation by
blocking dygestion of common amino acid in food. This leads to Phenylketonuria
CH13: Stores characteristics of the past lives. Defects in BRCA 2 gene raises risk of
breast cancer.
CH14: This is of indestructible nature. Faulty AD 3 gene is linked with the
development of plaques in the brain. This leads to Alzheimer’s disease.
CH 15: Determines gender. Abnormal FBN1, gene weakenes connective tissue
potentially rupturing blood vessels. This leads to Marfan’s syndrome (position
unknown).
CH16: This contains memory. Faulty PKD1 gene causes cysts to form, which
trigger kidney failure. This leads to polycystic kidney disease.
CH17: This determines the life span. Mutations in P53 gene increase
vulnerability to cancer. BRCA1 predisposes to breast cancer.
CH18: Helps in recovery from illness. Damage to DPC4 gene accelerates
pancreatic cancer
CH19: This determines fertility. Defective gene for apolipoprotein raises blood
cholesterol, predisposing to artery blockage. This leads to coronary heart
disease.
CH20: Abnormal adenosine deaminase (ADA) gene destroys immunity.
Correctable by gene therapy. This leads to severe combined immunodeficiency.
CH21: Wasting disease linked with defective superoxide dismutase I (SODI)
gene. This leads to Lou Gehrig’s disease.
CH22: This charactrizes freedom of thought. Abnormal DGS gene triggers heart
defects and facial changes. This leads to DiGeorge syndrome. Chromosome-22
plays an important role in immune system, mental disturbances and some types
of cancers.
CH23: Abnormal DMD gene triggers muscle degeneration. This leads to
Duchenne muscular Dystrophy.
CH24: Governed by the gene for testis – determining factor. This leads to Testicle
development.
Cloning
Cloning is a technique to produce the genetic twin of another organism, but it can also be used
for other purposes. There are three main types of cloning technologies.
1. Recombinant DNA technology or DNA cloning,
2. Reproductive cloning and
3. Therapeutic cloning.
DNA cloning refers to a process where a DNA fragment of interest is transferred from one
organism to a self – replicating genetic element such as a bacterial plasmid. The DNA of interest
can then be propagated in a foreign host cell. This technology has been around since the 1970’s,
and it has become a common practice in molecular biology laboratories today. This technology is
important for learning about other related technologies, such as gene therapy, genetic
engineering of organisms, and sequencing genomes. Gene therapy can be used to treat certain
genetic conditions by introducing virus vectors that carry corrected copies of faulty genes into the
cells of a host organism. Genes from different organisms that improve taste and nutritional value
or provide resistance to particular types of disease can be used to genetically engineer food
crops.
Reproductive cloning is a technology used to generate an animal that has the same nuclear DNA
as another currently or previously existing animal. Dolly was created by this technology. If the low
success rates can be improved (Dolly was only one success out of 276 tries), reproductive
cloning can be used to develop efficient ways to reliably reproduce animals with special qualities.
For example, drug producing animals or animals that have been genetically altered to serve as
models for studying human disease could be mass-produced. Reproductive cloning also could be
used to repopulate endangered animals or animals that are difficult to breed. Cloning extinct
animals presents a much greater challenge to scientists because the egg and the surrogate
needed to create the cloned embryo would be of a species different from the clone.
Therapeutic cloning, also called ``embryo cloning`` is the productive of human embryos for use in
research The goal of this process is not to create cloned human beings, but rather to harvest
stem cells that can be used to study human development and to treat disease. Stem cells are
important to biomedical researchers because they can be used to generate virtually any type of
specialized cell in the human body. Many researchers hope that one day stem cells can be used
to serve as replacement cells to treat heart disease, Alzheimer’s, cancer, and other diseases.
Therapeutic cloning technology may some day be used in humans to produce whole organs from
single cells. Much work still needs to be done before therapeutic cloning can become a realistic
option for the treatment of disorders. Another potential application of cloning to organ transplants
is the creation of genetically modified pigs from which organs suitable for human transplant could
be harvested.
Should humans be cloned? Physicians from the American Medical Association and scientists with
the American Association for the Advancement of Science have issued formal public statement,
advising against human reproductive cloning. Due to the inefficiency of animal cloning and the
lack of understanding about reproductive cloning, many scientists and physicians strongly believe
that it would be unethical to attempt to clone humans. Scientists do not know how cloning could
impact mental development. While factors such as intellect and mood may not be as important for
a cow or a mouse, they are crucial for the development of healthy humans. With so many
unknowns concerning reproductive cloning, the attempt to clone humans at this time is
considered potentially dangerous and ethically irresponsible.
Several attempts and trials have been made to produce improved quality of animals. Similar
experiments are also underway to improve the level of human beings. Scientists aim at producing
individuals having desired qualities. The attempts to improve the cell quality in animals and
humans by changes in genes have not yielded the desired results. Attention of scientist has now
shifted from genes to electro magnetic fields for improving the quality of cell. Experiments by
several researchers have shown that these methods are successful to some extent in improving
the body structure but fail to produce the desired qualities. The scientific attempts can not assure
that the moral, intellectual and social qualities will improve. Such conclusions were drawn by
yogis in the past. They had ruled that the only way to improve the quality of the offspring is that
both the parents should prepare themselves by spiritual practices before they decide to have a
child.
Yogic practices like penance and meditation reform the chromosomes which improve the quality
of the offspring. This is the only way to improve the moral, intellectual and social qualities in the
offspring.
Bio Photons
A photon is a quantum of light, or the smallest possible packet of light at a given wavelength. It is
emitted by an atom during a transition from one energy state to another. Photons travel at the
speed of light and have mass and momentum dependent on their frequencies. By classical
reasoning a photon would have the apparent dualistic property of being either a particle or a wave
disturbance. Light is electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range extending from about 0.4
micron to about 0.7 micron. Two sinusoidal oscillations of the same frequency are said to be
mutually coherent if they exhibit a constant phase relationship during the course of time. For
example, a laser is coherent and sunlight is partially coherent.
It is now well established that all living systems emit a weak light current of some photons. The
discovery was made in 1920s by Alexander Gurwitsch, a Russian biologist, who called this
photon emission from living cells ``mitogenetic radiation,`` in order to express its growth stimulating
capacity. The intensity of this ultra weak light is nearly equal to intensively of light of a candle
placed at a distance of 10 Km. Photo electric devices to measure this weak light were developed
in 1950s. Scientists found that the nature of this, weak light emitted by living cells is different from
the sunlight. They called these light photons as bio-photons.
The pioneering work done by Fritz – Albert Popp has given a deep insight into the phenomenon
of bio photon emission. According to him the purely molecular aspect of life sciences may be only
one necessary step in understanding biology and can never reach the significance of sufficient
and complete explanation. Molecules have no intelligence, despite the manifold impressive
functions that have been assigned to them. Even the enzymes or messenger molecules have to
be triggered by external energy, i.e. photons which activate the diversion transition state
complexes. These activation energies cover the whole electromagnetic spectrum. The nonthermal
photons provide the right quantum energies at the right place and right time for the
millions of reactions per second per cell. Thus, one has to stress that (1) It is impossible that
thermal photons may trigger the biochemical reactions in a living system, and (2) that theoretically
only one photon per cell could be sufficient for activating 109 reactions per second, provided that
it originates from a coherent photon field. If this field is coherent and non-thermal one, it is
theoretically able to borrow the photon energy at the right time and take it to the right position of
the reaction and to reabsorb it immediately after this event which, in general, takes not longer
than about 10-9 seconds.
Consequently, the weak photon current from biological systems, which – as we know nowadays
covers the whole spectrum range at least from UV to infrared and which we call ``bio photons``
may well suffice to take the role of regulating the whole biochemistry and biology of life. The bio
photon emission displays a few up to some hundred photons per second per centimeter square
within the spectral range from at least 260 to 800 nm. It is closely linked to delayed luminescence
of biological tissues which describes the long term and ultra weak reemission of photons after
exposure to light illumination.
What are the consequences of coherence? It results in properties that are characteristic of
biological systems. These include the high efficiency of energy transfer and transformation which
often approaches 100%; the ability of communication at all levels within cells, between cells and
between organisms capable of resonating to the same frequencies; the possibility for sensitive,
multiple recognition systems utilizing coherent electromagnetic signals of different specific
frequencies, such as for example, the organization of metabolic activities within the cell, the
operation of the immune network and a host of other biological functions involving specific
recognition between hormones or ligands and their receptors; and finally, the stable persistence
of the working system arising from the inherent stability of coherent states.
Practically all organisms emit light at a steady rate. An increasing number of observations from
different laboratories all over the world suggest that bio photons are emitted from a coherent
photon field within the living system. Organisms are thus emitters and most probably, also
receiver of coherent electromagnetic signals which may be essential for their functioning. When
the spectrum of bio photons is examined, it was found that the light is always in a broad band of
frequencies from the infra-red to the ultraviolet, with approximately equal number of photons
distributed throughout the range. In other words the distributions does not depend on the
wavelength; f( ) = const. This means that the light is emitted from all kinds of molecules all over
the cell. The living systems store energy (or photon) from 10-10 m to meters or more, and 10-9
second to days or longer time intervals – in a readily mobilized form. They do not suffer from
energy shortage on account of their high storage capacity within the intricate space-time
organization.
Systematic measurement of bio photon emission of the human body has shown the following
results. (1) The left right symmetry of the human – body, (2) biological rhythms such as 14 days,
1 month, 3 months and 9 months; (3) disease in terms of broken symmetry between left and right
side, and (4) light channels in the body, which regulate energy and information transfer between
different parts.
The bio photon emission is indicative of an endogenous, innate, electromagnetic field pervading
the entire organism, which may act as both sender and receiver of the bio photon that are
``electromagnetic bio – information`` used in regulating life processes. These observations, among
others, suggest control within the living state that is non-local and possibly electromagnetic in
nature. Many significant correlations between features of the weak biological light and a number
of fundamental biological processes, such as cell division, death, and major shifts in metabolism,
exist. These correlations may indicate that the light (electromagnetic field of the organism) is a
sensitive, global expression of biological regulating processes.
The bio photon is trapped and remitted by DNA, which undergoes physical resonance, resulting
in light emission with at least some coherence. Biological process may be integrated by the
endogenous bio electromagnetic field that has a primary organizational and informational role.
Conformational states of DNA may serve as the photon storage of the coherent modes of the
electromagnetic field within the cell.
From the bio physical point of view bio photons are regulating the body in its rather complex
functions. The interference patterns of bio photons originating from the resonance tuning between
the coherent field and biologically matter (preferentially DNA) governs the availability of energy in
a concerted action of the whole. Consequently, the organizational capacity is reflected by
characteristics of bio photon emission.
The biological and physical activities affecting bio photons signals belong to the macroscopic
class. The sensitivity is such that a bio photon signal appears to provide faithful reflections of
biological and physiological activities of the emitting system. If it is true for all macroscopic
biological activities, then a bio photon contains decipherable and digitized signature of all
macroscopic biological activities. Bio photon emission is thus seen a crucial evidence of a
physical basis of life.
A Religio – Scientific
Analysis of Body Functions
We learned about the Karma body and tejas body and briefly reviewed the subjects concerning
the tejas body and physical body that are important to understand the functioning of our body
system. The concept of Karma body, singular to Jaina system of thoughts, has been described in
sufficient detail for our purpose. The details of tejas body are not available in Jaina literature. The
information derived from Vedic school of thought, psychology and science help us in
understanding the structure and functioning of tejas body. The Jaina philosophy assigns the
following functions to tejas body as described earlier. (1) Management of the body systems, and
(2) to provide support and control for functioning of the body systems. It is also stated that the
tejas body is electric body made up of tejas vargana. The Vedic description of subtle body made
up of five Koshas and the psychological concepts of energy bodies are in close agreement with
the Jaina views but they also provide further insight into the structure of the tejas body. All three
schools of thought are referring to electrical nature of the body having similar functions so it can
be assumed, without any peril to the Jaina viewpoint, that the five Koshas or the energy bodies
are the tejas body of Jainas. Barbara Ann Brennan says that the energy bodies are made up of
light beams and a plasma like substance. The light is electromagnetic waves and the plasma
consists of electrically charged particles. Thus effectively the energy bodies comprise of
electromagnetic fields. Hence we arrive at the conclusion that tejas body is electromagnetic in
nature.
In support of the above conclusion we quote here the investigations carried out by a South
African doctor and an engineer of London in 1930s.
``Intricate apparatus was designed and built by the engineer and the experiments started. Animals
were used first. Their apparatus proved that animals were born with a definite electric charge.
They were able to record and tabulate this energy. They found that the more intelligent animals
had a higher charge then the lower forms. At the moment of death the charge disappeared. In the
animal experiment the records showed that the charge remained more or less the same
throughout life except when the animal was breeding.``
``In the case of human beings they found that the babies were born with a definite charge. After
death the charge vanished. An average charge, they found, was 500 volts. As the subject grew
older the charge increased not with age, but according to the type of character the subject was
developing. In coarse animal natures the charge remains low and in cases of mental disease and
lunacy the charge dropped. They found that male babies had a higher charge at birth than female
babies, but that the female could catch up and pass the male according to the various
characteristics shown.``
One important finding of these investigations is that all organisms are born with a definite electric
charge and this charge vanishes after death. The investigators did not know the reason of this
fact, but according to Jaina view the reason is clear. The organisms are born with a tejas body,
which departs from the physical body on death. It is the tejas body that carries the charge.
Another important finding is that the amount of charge on the body depends on intelligence of the
organism and it increases with intelligence. We know that the tejas body consisting of energy
bodies contains the vital energy, thought, emotions, and experiences etc, which are in the form of
plasma structures. The power and intensity of such structures ought to increase with intelligence
implying a higher charge. This explains why charge increases with intelligence of the organism. In
case of human beings as the mental and spiritual power grows with advancements the tejas body
becomes stronger and the charge increases. When a mental disease or lunacy occupies a
person a decrease in charge is clearly understood. The state of the tejas body is thus a measure
of mental and spiritual development of a person. The charge can be very high on the bodies of
yogi’s, particularly at the time of meditation, so much so that it can give shock to a common
person.
We know that the Karma body and tejas body are always attached to the soul and they never
separate out until liberation is attained. What is the reason that these two bodies always hold on
together? On death of a being the physical body is discarded and the soul migrates with Karma
body and tejas body to take next birth. During this transition period the two bodies remain united.
This is possible when both the bodies are of electromagnetic character. We, therefore, infer that
the Karma body is also of electromagnetic nature. However, the electromagnetic fields of the two
bodies must be different in order to maintain their separate identities. The validity of this inference
is supported by the fact that we do have different electromagnetic fields in our body. Scientists
have reasoned out that biophotons are emitted by a coherent electromagnetic field which is
different from the electromagnetic field of solar radiations. Thus we conjecture that there are three
different types of electromagnetic fields one for the Karma body, second for the tejas body and
the third emitting the bio photons. We shall see later that perhaps the first and the third fields are
the same.
One may question how electromagnetic field can have a body form. The scientific evidence
suggests that this is possible. A group of Spanish scientists doing studies on computer simulation
have claimed that light can be transformed into a fluid like substance. The scientists of University
of Vigo were studying the properties of light pulse on computer. By application of high energy
laser the light pulse became very dense. They observed a surface tension like property in the
dense light pulse. When they put these pulses on another surface small droplets were formed.
One of the scientists of the group is confident that he shall be able to confirm these findings in the
laboratory. He thinks that information can be stored easily and safely on the droplets formed by
dense pulses and this fact can be used to produce next generation computers. So the
electromagnetic light pulses can not only form a body shape, they can also store information. This
is what precisely happens in a Karma body.
We now consider how the tejas body is performing the functions assigned to it. The foregoing
description shows that there are three primary systems which help tejas body in management,
support and control functions. (1) The energy bodies receive prana energy through breathing.
The etheric body supplies this energy to various parts and organs of the physical body. The astral
body contains our feelings and the mental body contains our thoughts. The feelings and thoughts
are the instruments for the management of the body system. The spiritual body is the storehouse
of our experiences and controls our behavior and the decision making process. (2) The Chakras
are the distribution centres from where the prana energy is supplied to the Nadi system. The
Chakras spinning at different speeds also work as oscillators and draw in higher dimensional
energy from space. The Chakras closely work with the endocrine glands and influence the
secretions which control the body functions. (3) The Nadis are the distribution channels for prana
energy. There is a very elaborate network of Nadis which takes the prana energy to every cell of
the body.
It is clear from above that the energy bodies, the Chakras and the Nadis jointly discharge the
functions of tejas body. The existence of Chakras and the Nadis is linked to the physical body. In
the transition period between death and next birth only energy bodies accompany the soul. The
Chakras and Nadis appear again when the soul forms the next body. Let us now consider the
emission and working of bio photons. On close examination we find that many features are
common between adhyvasaya waves and biophotons. Table 3 gives a comparison between the
two.
Table 3: Comparison Between Adhyasaya and Bio photos
It is clear from the comparison that there is a great similarity between adhyvasaya and bio
photons. It can therefore be assumed that the coherent magnetic field emitting bio photon is also
similar to the Karma body. We had earlier conjectured that the Karma body is electromagnetic in
nature. Now it is evident that Karma body is, in fact, comprised of coherent electromagnetic field.
This assumption is further validated by the fact that the bondage and vipak of Karma over all soul
pradesa take place simultaneously. The adhyvasaya waves therefore always have a constant
phase relationship and are coherent. The scientists are perhaps not sure why the bio photon light
is coherent but the Jaina doctrine clearly explains the reasons for this coherence. It is now easy
to understand what is the source of intelligence in bio photons. The intelligence comes from the
soul which is the ultimate source of adhyavasaya. Being coherent electromagnetic field the
Karma body is very powerful and can store a very large amount of imformation, almost infinite, for
thousands of years or more.
We now compare the functions of Naam Karma and genes. A close examiation shows that the
genes are performing almost the same functions which are assigned to various Naam Karma. For
example, the decisions like type of body of the organisms, making of body components, organs
and parts, form of body, skelton structure, pigment of body skin, fully developed or deficient body,
morphology of body, etc are common features to both. In fact, the Naam Karma gives a
comprehensive account of how different species having varying personal body features and traits
are formed. The genetic science on the other hand offers only a limited view of body formation
but it is hoped that with the advancement in genetic science more and more knowledge regarding
body functions shall be gained and then perhaps it will be discovered that what the modern
science with the help of large fleet of highly qualified scientists and most sophisticated technology
has found is already available in Jaina scriptures. The only difference is that what exists in the
sciptures is in the form of decision formulae and the findings of science offers a detailed
description answering questions like what, when, how the processes occur. This is indeed a great
credit to science but it should not be construed that it has discovered something new, in fact it is
only reconfirming what was said by omniscient Tirthankars.
The genes carry all the instructions for making proteins. Only a part of the total instructions are
used at any particular location of the body and a cell suitable to that location is made by the
genes. Who makes this selection of the set of instructions to be employed? According to Jaina
doctrine such decisions are assigned to the Karma body. The Body-making Karma contains the
information required for constructing a body for any particular specie and all the body parts of that
specie. The feeling-producing Karma are perhaps instrumental in producing faulty genes which
develop various disease and pain in the body. Division of cells keeps our body alive. Scientists do
not know the definite reason for this division. According to Jainas the life-span Karma determine
the life span and therefore these Karma must be responsible for division of cells. Thus it is seen
that all aghatin Karma operate at the level of genes and take part in the construction,
maintenance, operation and control of body parts and body functions. Recently a gene has also
been found to be connected with the faith of a person. It means that some ghatin Karma also
influence genes. As noted earlier these Karma form the coherent electromagnetic field which emit
bio photon of different frequency and the bio photons control the chemical and biological activities
of the cell and so the body functions.
We consider now the process of bonding of karma. Knowing the electromagnetic character of the
Karma body it is justified to assume that the Karma varganas are also electromagnetic. Like
sunlight Karma vargana are present in the entire space and they also have a spectrum. The
bondage of Karma vargana with the Karma body is now explained. Under the action of yoga and
passion the soul and hence the Karma body vibrates. The frequency of vibration depends on the
passion, different types of passions induce different frequencies. When the Karma body vibrates
at a particular frequency the Karma varganas of the same frequency are attracted and attach
themselves with the existing Karma of the same character. The Karma varganas are assumed to
be electromagnetic waves but the bonded Karma perhaps form a plasma like structure
resembling the shape of the physical body. That is, the Karma varganas transform from wave
nature to particle nature, just like sunlight, when Karma is formed. The passion is the binding
force between the old and new Karma. The Karma differ by frequency and thus a large types of
Karma can be formed. The number of vargana bonding at a time depends on the degree of
passion, stronger the passion larger is the number of vargana bonding with each soul pradesa.
Varganas of different frequencies and hence different types of Karma bond with any soul pradesa
at different times. The bonding is uniform over all soul predesa. The bonded Karma remain in
passive mode for a given period of time as said earlier.
The shedding of Karma from the Karma body is a reverse process. On the expiry of passive time
period or on account of initiative taken by the individual vibrations specific to the Karma to be
shed take place in the soul. These vibrations having specific frequency activate the respective
Karma which transforms its state from particle (or plasma) mode to wave mode. The Karma are
shed uniformly and simultaneously over all soul predasa. These Karma waves interact with tejas
body to produce lesya waves in case of ghatins Karma or produce bio photons, which operate at
DNA and cell level, in case of aghatin Karma. In either case the organism experiences the
outcome of the shed Karma. The number of Karma varganas shedding from each soul pradesa at
any time depends on the intensity of passion. Strong passion shed large number of Karma
varganas resulting in intense experience by the soul, weak passions lead to light experience. As
ininite number of Karma varganas bond for any given Karma the process of shedding continues
for a certain time called the active period of Karma.
We had seen earlier that the energy bodies have specific roles and harbour our thoughts,
feelings, experiences, etc. These functions are also assigned to ghatin Karma, which produce
lesya waves in our body. The lesya produce our feelings that cause the endocrine glands to
secrete hormones that control the body functions. The ghatin Karma thus have a relationship with
lesya. The lesya are present till the attainment of thirteenth stage of development of the soul. All
ghatin Karma are destroyed when the soul enters the thirteenth stage. At this stage the soul
becomes Arihanta. The aghatin Karma related to the physical body continues to exist till the
fourteenth, and the last, stage of development after which the soul is liberated.
A simple model of human body is now constructed as shown in Fig. 3 based on above findings.
The human body is a superposition of three bodies, the karma body, the tejas body and the
physical body. The soul pervades the entire space of the body. We know that the soul is nonphysical,
immortal and indestructible. The Karma body comprises of coherent electromagnetic
field formed by Karma varganas. The tejas body contains electromagnetic plasma energy and
comprises
FIG. 3. Schematic Model Of Human Body
of tejas vargana. The physical body consists of cells that contain DNA, pro-teins, other chemicals
and bioelectricity. The soul possesses consciousness, knowledge, intelligence, perception and
bliss. The Karma body stores records of actions and decisions, memory and samskaras of all
past lives. The tejas body controls, regulates and manages the functions of the physical body by
its electromagnetic field. The physical body contains sense organs, brain, nervous system,
endocrine glands, bones, muscles, blood and other parts and organs required for physical
functioning. The soul manifests in all the three bodies, where the consciousness can be felt. The
karma body obscures the innate ability of the soul and limits its powers. The vibrations of the soul
are converted into adhyvasaya waves bearing the characteristics of the Karma active at that
instant in the karma body. The tejas body channelizes the prana and cosmic energy vitalizing the
physical body. It also temporarily stores emotions, feelings, thoughts and experiences, which
control and regulate the actions of the physical body.
The physical body is the means through which the soul performs actions and interacts with the
environment. It appears that in the early period of formation of the body the memory records and
samskaras of the past lives are copied on to the brain from the Karma body. This information
remains in sub conscious state and cannot be accessed by conscious efforts. However, it
participates in our day-to-day working and influences the decisions we make. Other important
factors in decision-making are the inputs from the karma Body in the form of adhyvasaya, our
emotions, feelings and thoughts residing in the tejas body, the condition of the physical body and
the environmental stimuli received through sense organs. All the inputs are processed by the
brain and a final decision for action is taken. The decision taker is the soul.
The advancements in physical and life sciences have enabled scientists to play with the physical
body. One significant development is the application of Neuro-Electromagnetic fields in the brain.
Michael A Persinger, his associates and other scientists have shown that a wide variety of human
experiences, including divine, can be generated by applying suitable electromagnetic fields in
appropriate locations of the brain. During such experiments only the physical brain is affected but
the Karma body, which stores the original memory, is not accessed. All physical changes made
by scientists confine to the physical body and do not affect the subtle body. But if such physical
changes bring about a change in the thoughts, emotions and perceptions of a person, they can
have an indirect influence on the subtle body. The Karma body is beyond the reach of scientists.
Concluding Remarks
In conclusion we note that:
1. The Karma body and the tejas body are electromagnetic in nature. The Karma body is
made up of coherent electromagnetic magnetic field and the tejas body is in the form of
energy bodies. The tejas body also contains Nadis and Chakras when the person is alive
and physical body exists
2. The Karma are stored in the form of light structure in the Karma body The Karma
remain in the passive mode for a long period of time and during this period they do not
affect the working of the physical body and tejas body.
3. When the Karma become active they control and regulate the body functions mainly in
two broad ways.
a. The ghatin Karma control our feelings through lesyas in the tejas body. The feelings
regulate hormone secretions from the endocrine glands which control the body functions.
The ghatin Karma also control the mind and the nervous system.
b. The aghatin Karma operate at the level of genes and DNA. The genes contain the
necessary codes for making different types of proteins and cells which can constitute
bodies for all species. The working of DNA is supposed to be controlled by light photons
emitted by the coherent magnetic field of Naam Karma in the Karma body. Under the
effect of feeling producing Karma these light photons can also produce faulty genes
which cause disease of various kinds. The division of cells and hence the age of an
organism is also controlled by Karma. There is evidence that ghatin Karma may also
influence the working of genes.
4. The ultimate source of intelligence and knowledge is the soul. It is the power of the
soul which can perform the feats like.
a. Control and regulate millions of chemical and biological activities in a cell per second in
all the trillions of cells at a time.
b. Establish correlations between all the cells for a purposeful and meaningful functioning
of the body.
c. Maintain a liason and harmony with other organisms, the environment and with the
cosmos at large through the powerful magnetic fields.
It is interesting to repeat here the following scientific statements
``........... There observations, among others, suggest control within the living state that is non-local
and possibly electromagnetic in nature. Many significant correlation between features of the weak
biological process, such as cell division, death, and major shifts in metabolism, exist. These
correlations may indicate that the light (electromagnetic field of the organism) is a sensitive,
global expression of biological regulating processes. Biological process may be integrated by the
endogenous bio electromagnetic field that has a primary organizational and informational role.``
In this book we have briefly dealt with essentials of the Doctrine of Karma, that is required to
understand the mechanism behind its operation, the scientific findings relevant to this doctrine
and have attempted to eastablish a relationship between the two different schools of thoughts
and have seen that the two streams of knowledge not only support each other but also enhance
our understanding of the subtle secrets of life which are guiding and governing our behaviour
physically, mentally and emotionally. The science offer no contradictions with the religious
themes but rather strengthen our belief in the fundamental laws of life enunciated by the
omniscient. These findings, I hope, would deepen our faith in the truth seeking path shown by
Arihantas. This is particularly significant for those who do not believe in the existence of soul.
Irrespective of his point of view or belief the law of nature is working in every individual and
guiding his destiny. Those who wish to know more about the realities of nature, as pronounced by
Arihantas, are reffered to other canonical texts on Jainism.
Lastly, we end with the hearty remark that the Jaina doctrine ``What you sow is what you reap`` is
perfectly scientific and true.