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 6 - More on intake
Q. 6. Bhante! For the infernal beings, did matter taken in the past transform? Does matter taken now transform? Does matter not taken in the past but likely to be taken hereafter transform? Does matter not taken in the past, nor likely to be taken hereafter transform28?
A. 6. Gautama! For the infernal beings, matter taken in the past has transformed, matter that’s being taken now transforms; matter not taken in the past, but likely to be taken hereafter has not yet transformed; matter that was not taken in the past, nor is likely to be taken hereafter did not and does not transform.
Q. 7. Bhante! Do the infernal beings assimilate matter already taken?
A. 7. As stated of transformation, so of assimilation, absorption, fructification, suffering and exhaustion29.
Couplet:
Transformation, assimilation, absorption,
Fructification, suffering, exhaustion—
Each item contains
Four questions and answers four.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
28. Four questions, and likewise four answers, take each, in all, 63 forms (bhaṅgas) as follows:
Forms — Numbers,
(i) Taken, being taken, to be taken, not taken, not being taken, not to be taken — 6
(ii) Combination of above by two’s, e.g., taken-being taken, taken-to be taken, etc. — 15
(iii) Combination of above by three’s, e.g., taken-being taken- to be taken, etc. — 20
(iv) Combination of above by four’s — 15
(v) Combination of above by five’s — 6
(vi) Combination of all the six — 1
=63
29. Questions and answers for all the stages, viz., assimilation, absorption, fructification, suffering and exhaustion are similar to those for transformation. For instance, questions on assimilation will be:
- Did matter taken in the past assimilate?
- Does matter taken now assimilate?
- Does matter not taken in the past but likely to be taken hereafter assimilate?
- Does matter not taken in the past nor likely to be taken hereafter assimilate?
And answers:
- Matter taken in the past has assimilated.
- Matter that’s being taken now assimilates.
- Matter not taken in the past, but likely to be taken hereafter has not yet assimilated.
- Matter not taken in the past, nor likely to be taken hereafter did not and does not assimilate.
And so on for all items, four questions and four answers.