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 2 - On grains, pulses and wine
Q. 36. Bhante! To what category of beings do the bodies of rice, kulmāṣa (a pulse popularly called uḍad or kalāi) and wine belong?
A. 36. Gautama! The hard substance in rice, pulse, etc., by virtue of its original state, belongs to (the species of) flora-bodies; but when these (objects) are subjected to a machine or implement and transformed by a machine or implement, when they are roasted, when they are deprived of their original state by fire, when they are treated with fire and transformed by fire, they are to be treated as fire-bodies. The liquid stuff in wine that flows away belongs, by virtue of its original state, to (the species of) water-bodies; but when it is given a machine treatment,....till transformed by fire, it is to be treated as a species of fire-bodies.
Q. 37. Bhante! Iron, copper, zinc, lead, coal and iron-sheet—to which species do these belong?
A. 37. Gautama! Iron, copper, zinc, lead, coal and iron-sheet belong, by virtue of their previous state, to the species of earth-bodies; but after these have been burnt, these become part of fire-bodies.
Q. 38. Bhante! To what categories do the following belong: bone, burnt bone, skin, burnt skin, pore-hair, burnt pore-hair, horn, burnt horn, hoof, burnt hoof, nail and burnt nail?
A. 38. Gautama! Bone, skin, pore-hair, horn, hoof and nail,—they are body-parts (or limbs) of living beings with movement; but burnt bone, burnt skin, burnt pore-hair, burnt horn, burnt hoof and burnt nail,—these are body-parts of living beings by their original state, but after they are burnt,...till they are to be stated as fire-bodies.
Q. 39. Bhante! To what category of beings do the following belong: hot ashes, ashes, hay and cow-dung?
A. 39. Gautama! Hot ashes, ashes, hay and cow-dung,—these are, by virtue of their original state, body-parts of living beings with one sense organ,...till, maybe, they are body-parts of living beings with five organs of senses; but after these have been burnt, they are to be stated as fire-bodies.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
(There is no commentary available for this section).