Bhagavati-sutra (Viyaha-pannatti)
by K. C. Lalwani | 1973 | 185,989 words
The English translation of the Bhagavati-sutra which is the fifth Jaina Agama (canonical literature). It is a large encyclopedic work in the form of a dialogue where Mahavira replies to various question. The present form of the Sutra dates to the fifth century A.D. Abhayadeva Suri wrote a vritti (commentary) on the Bhagavati in A.D. 1071. In his J...
Part 5 - On the migration of the embryo to infernal and other existences
Q. 254. Bhante! Does the soul which has lived in the-womb take birth in the hells?
A. 254. Gautama! Some are so born and some are not.
Q. 255. Why is it so?
A. 255. Gautama! One who has been living in the womb, who is endowed with the five organs of senses and also mind, who is perfect with vitalities, who, on hearing and duly knowing that the enemy’s forces have come to attack, throws out the soul-spaces by dint of his power of vitality and power to transform (the body), and creates, by dint of his power to create, a fourfold army and fights with the enemy forces—such one desirous of wealth, desirous of kingdom, desirous of objects, of pleasure, desirous of objects of enjoyment, involved in wealth, involved in kingdom, involved in objects of pleasure, involved in objects of enjoyment, hankering after wealth, hankering after kingdom, hankering after objects of pleasure, hankering after objects of enjoyment, with his heart in them, with mind in them, with his soul’s end concentrated in them, persevering for them, striving for them, careful about them, acting for them, and having his inclinations rooted in them, if such one dies at that time, then is he born in the hells. For this, oh Gautama, some of the living beings are born in the hells and some are not.
Q. 256. Bhante! Does the soul which has lived in the womb take birth in the heavens?
A. 256. Gautama! Some are so born and some are not.
Q. 257. Why is it so?
A. 257. Gautama! One who has been living in the womb, who is endowed with five organs of senses and also mind, who is perfect with vitalities, if such one has heard even a single spiritual prescription from a śramana [śramaṇa] or a māhana, has taken it to heart, and developed deep devotion towards religion, with profound love for religion, desirous of auspicious karma, desirous of heavens, desirous of liberation, with attachment for religion, for auspicious karma, for heavens, for liberation, with hankering for religion, for pious karma, for heavens, for liberation, with his heart fixed in them, with his mind fixed ia them, with his soul’s end concentrated in them, profoundly striving for them, careful about them, acting for them, and having his inclinations rooted in them, if such one dies at that time, then is he born in one of the heavens. Hence, Gautama, some are born in heavens and some are not.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
(There are no notes available for this section).