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 6 - On life in the mother’s womb
Q. 258. Bhante! A being lodged in the womb, does he lie on the back? Does he lie on his sides? Does he lie with a curve like a mango? Does he remain in normal shape? Does he stand? Does he sit? Does he sleep? Does he sleep when the mother sleeps? Does he wake up when the mother wakes? Is he happy when the mother is happy and is he sad when the mother is sad?
A. 258. Gautama! They are so...till a being lodged in the womb is sad when the mother is sad. If he comes out by the head, or by the legs, that’s the right posture. If he comes out by the side, he dies. If his karma is affixed in an inauspicious manner, so touching him, so holding him, so performing, so fructifying, so concentrating, so pouring in, and if they are not to subside, then such one is born with bad shape, bad hue, bad odour, bad taste, bad touch; is inauspicious, uncouth, unpleasant, unappealing, devoid of beauty, with low voice, with pitious voice, with inauspicious voice, with unappealling voice, with unpleasant voice, with words unpleasant. But if his karma is not affixed in an inauspicious manner, then all the aforesaid items are reversed...till he is one with pleasant words.
Bhante! So they are. Glory be to the Lord! So saying Gautama withdrew and resumed his seat.
Chapter seven ends
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
(There are no notes available for this section).