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 12 - On the earth-bodies, etc.
Q. 27. Bhante! How long is stated to be the life-span of the earth-bodies?
A. 27. Gautama! Minimum a 48-minute span and maximum
22,000 years35.
Q. 28. Bhante! What’s the duration of the breathing activity, inhaling and exhaling, of the earth-bodies?
A. 28, Gautama! No fixed gap for breathing. (It’s indeterminate.)
Q. 29. Bhante! Are the earth-bodies keen for intake?
A. 29. Yes, they are so.
Q. 30. Bhante! After what time-gap ao they feel the desire for intake?
A. 30. Gautama! Every moment and incessantly is the desire for intake generated.
Q. 31. Bhante! What comprises the intake of the earth-bodies?
A. 31. Gautama! From the standpoint of substance, as with the infernal beings,...till from six directions in case of no obstruction, but in case of obstruction, sometimes from three directions, sometimes from four and sometimes from five. From the standpoint of colour: dark, blue, yellow, red, termaric and white; from that of odour: of good odour and bad; from that of taste: pungent, etc., all the five; from that of touch, rough, etc., all the eight. The rest as stated before, with some difference.
Q. 32. What portion they take in and what portion they touch?
A. 32. Gautama! Countless portions they take in and infinite portions they touch.
Q. 33. In what form does matter taken in by the earth-bodies transform again and again?
A. 33. Gautama! It transforms again and again into organs of touch, but not always. The rest as with the infernal beings...till exhaust not karma which is still dormant36 and (this of all one-organ beings)...till flora-bodies, with this exception that their respective life-span should be stated in each case37. Respiration is indeterminate.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
35. Variations within this range are, for different layers of the earth, as follows:
pleasant (snigdhā)—1,000 years,
pure (śuddha)—12,000 years,
sandy (vālukā)—14,000 years,
hard (manaḥ-śīlā)—16,000 years,
sweet (śarkarā)—18,000 years,
alkaline (khara)—22,000 years.
36. The Paṇṇavaṇā Sūtra notes in details the speciality of earth-bodies both in matters of intake and respiration. The word vemāyāe in connection with their respiration means that these have no determinate standard for it.
37. The life-span of one-organ beings may be stated as follows, the minima in all cases being an antar-muhūrta, i.e., less than 48 minutes.
... = maximum,
earth-bodies = 22,000 years,
water-bodies = 7.000 years,
fire-bodies = 3 day-night
air-bodies = 3,000 years,
flora-bodies = 3,000 years.