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 the distance at Sun-rise and Sun-set
Q. 197. Bhante! Is the distance of the rising sun from the vision of the eye the same as the distance of the setting sun from the vision of the eye132?
A. 197. Gautama! The distance of the rising sun from the vision of the eye (is the same as) the distance of the setting sun from the vision of the eye.
Q. 198. Bhante! The rising sun, by its own rays, and in all directions and subdirections, and from all sides, removes darkness from regions, brightens them, heats them and burns them133; does the sun, while setting, removes darkness, brightens, heats and burns those regions in all directions and subdirections, and from all sides?
A. 198. Gautama! It is so. The rising sun,... till (the sun, while setting...till) from all sides.
Q. 199. Bhante! Does the sun remove darkness from what is touched? Dees it do so from what is untouched?
A. 199. Gautama! (touched)...till removes darkness from six directions. Likewise, brightens, heats and burns in six directions, and (does so) as a rule.
Q. 200. Bhante! All the regions, in all directions, whom the sun touches from the moment of its first contact,—can they be called to have been touched?
A. 200. Yes, Gautama, all, it may be stated, as you say134.
Q. 201. Bhante! Does the sun touch the touched space? Or, untouched space?
A. 201. (Touches the touched space...till) in six directions, as a rule.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
132. In the Jaina view, the sun has in all 184 maṇḍalas. When the sun is on the tropic of cancer, it is in its last maṇḍala. At this, the distance of the sun from the land of Bharata is 47263 yojanas. Although the Sūtra uses the word cakkhupphāsam, the eye in reality never touches the sun or any other object it sees. If anything touches the eye, it sees it not, because the eye is a non-touching organ, which performs its function from a distance, not by any direct touch or contact. The collyrium applied to the eye is not visible to the eye, though it is at the very periphery of it.
133. Of the four words, viz., obhāsei, ujjoei tavei and pabhāsei, the first should apply to the opening rays of the morning sun which just removes darkness, the second to dawn when bigger objects become visible, the third to the late hours in the morning when the sun becomes hot and the fourth to the mid-day sun which burns with its scorching rays.
134. The answer that ‘touching is touched’ is consistent with ‘moving is moved’ in Q./A. 1.