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 1 - On karma divisions
Q. 146—Bhante! How many have been stated to be the divisions of karma?
A. 146—Gautama! Karma divisions have been stated to be eight. Refer on this the first chapter entitled ‘Nature of Karma’ (in the Paṇṇavaṇā Sūtra)...till karma divisions relating to intensity
Couplet:
How many are the karma divisions?
How about bondage? From how many quarters
Emanate fetters from (karma) divisions?
How many divisions are experienced?
What’s the extent of their intensity92?
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
92. The relevant portion of the Paṇṇavaṇā Sūtra states as follows:
Q. Bhante! How many are the types of karma?
A. Gautama! They are eight, such as karma enshrouding Knowledge, karma enshrouding vision, etc.
Q. Bhante! How does a living being acquire karma?
A. Gautama! It is karma that generates bondage, which means that a living being who has acquired karma is in bondage. Karma is with the soul from an infinite past, and hence the soul is the acquirer of karma from an infinite past period. Of course, not the same karma remains affixed for all times, but as fresh karma is acquired in a non-ending series to take the place of karma which wears out through suffering, the soul is in perpetual bondage. A karma flows in, as a karma flows out, then follows the next, and still next, and so on, like the incessant flow of a stream.
What is the process of acquisition of karma? The soul first acquires karma enshrouding knowledge. Then vision gets enshrouded and the living being becomes a victim of delusion. Then the remaining types flow in. This karma inflow into the soul is eternal. The rest of the discussion is the Paṇṇavaṇā Sūtra is as follows:
Q. Bhante! In how many ways does the living being: acquire karma enshrouding knowledge?
A. Gautama! He acquires karma enshrouding knowledge-in two ways, viz., through attachmsnt and through spite.
Q. Bhante! How many of the living beings suffer from karma?
A. Gautama! While some suffer, others do not suffer.
Q. Bhante! Does a living being suffer from karma enshrouding knowledge?
A. Gautama! While some suffer, others do not suffer. The ominscient has exhausted karma enshrouding knowledge; hence he does not suffer.
Q. Bhante! Do the infernal beings suffer from karma enshrouding knowledge?
A. Gautama! Surely they do.
Q. Bhante! How many are the types of effect of karma enshrouding knowledge?
A. Gautama! They are stated to be ten—five covering objective organs of senses and five covering subjective organs of senses.
And so on.