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 3 - On activities
Q. 206. Bhante! Is activity leading to slaughter perpetrated by living beings?
A. 206. Yes, it is.
Q. 207. Bhante! So perpetrated is it touched? Is it untouched?
A. 207. (Touched) in six directions in the absence of obstructions; in case of obstructions, may be in three directions, may be in four, or five.
Q. 208. Bhante! The activity perpetrated, is it done? Is it not done?
A. 208. Gautama! The activity perpetrated is done, not the reverse of it.
Q. 209. Bhante! Is it done by self? By others? By both (self and others)?
A. 209. Gautama! Done by self, not by others, nor by both.
Q. 210. Bhante! Does the activity perpetrated follow order? Or, is it without order138?
A. 210. Gautama! Follows order and is not without order. And so of activity that is being perpetrated, and so or that which, will be perpetrated. All follow some order, and are not without order. It has to be stated like that139.
Q. 211. Bhante! Do the infernal beings perpetrate activity leading to slaughter?
A. 211. Yes, they do.
Q. 212. Bhante! So perpetrated is it touched? Is it untouched?
A. 212. (Touched) in six directions, as a rule.
Q. 213. Bhante! The activity perpetrated, is it done? Is it not done?
A. 213. (Done, and with some order, and) not without order. It has to be stated like that.
214. Like the infernals, all the species...till the Vaimānikas, exception being the one-organ beings. Of the one-organ beings, it is to be stated as in the case of ordinary (worldly) beings.
215. As of slaughter, so of false utterances, usurpation, sex, spurious possession, anger...till perverted faith. Like this is to be stated of the 18 vices for all 24 species.
Bhante! So they are. Glory be to the Lord! So saying, illustrious Gautama paid respectful homage and obeisance to the Lord and resumed his seat.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
138. When the order is regular, like 1, 2, 3, 4, it is āṇupuvvi; when it is reversed, like 4, 3, 2, 1, it becomes pacchāṇupuvvi; when there is no order at all, it is aṇāṇupuvvi.
139. Consideration in Q./A. 206 till 210 is about kriyā or activities. Anything done is activity and activity leads to karma.
Its characteristics are:
it is done, not undone;
it is dons by self, not done by another, nor by self and another;
it is done according to order, not without order.
Consideration till Q./A. 215 is about sinful activities starting with injury to living beings...till perverted faith.