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 19 - On the non-restrained homeless
Q. 56, Bhante! Is the non-restrained homeless perfected, enlightened, liberated? Does he attain total liberation? Does he end all misery?
A. 56. Gautama! This interpretation is not acceptable.
Q. 57. Bhante! For what reason,...till he does not end all misery?
A. 57. Gautama! Barring karma determining life-span, a non-restrained homeless transforms the loosely-bound karma of seven kinds into deeply-bound ones, the short-span ones into the long-span ones, the slow-effect ones into the deep-effect ones, ami those with few space-units into those with more space-units. As to karma determining life-span, sometimes he binds them and sometimes he doesn’t. Again and again he acquires karma causing a feeling of pain, and again and again he moves in this timeless, limitless, long-route, four-state46 forest-like world. For this reason, Gautama, the non-restrained homeless does not become perfected,...till not end all misery.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
46. The four states of existence are as infernal beings, as non-human beings, as human beings and as celestial beings. Their break-up into 24 categories has been indicated above (see motes 22 and 34).