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 procreation
Q. 24. Bhante! People of other faith (called ‘heretics’ hereafter) so say, maintain, establish and declare that when, a monk, after death, becomes a deva, he does not enjoy with other devas, nor with the consorts of other devas, nor with his own consorts by overpowering them, but creates, out of his fluid self, two forms, of which one he makes a deva and the other its female counterpart, and enjoys. Thus (according to the heretics), a single soul has, at one and the same time two experiences, which are, experience as female and experience as male. Bhante! Is this assertion of the heretics correct,... till experience as female and experience as male? How is it so?
A. 24. Gautama! The heretics, who say like this... till experience as female and experience as male, are wholly in the wrong, because of which I say, ordain, establish and declare that a monk who, on death, reaches one of the celestial abodes which is endowed with great fortune...til) great influence, which confers capacity to go far and with a long span of life, becomes a deva, endowed with great fortune, with ability to shine in ten directions and with great beauty. The said deva enjoys with other devas and their consorts, by subduing them under his control, and likewise, he enjoys with his own consorts, by subduing them under his control; but he does not enjoy by creating two forms out of his own self. For, a soul may, at any one time, experience either as female or as male. When he experiences as female, he does not experience as male; and when he experiences as male, he does not experience as female. (In other words), with female experience gaining ascendancy, he does not have male experience and with male experience gaining ascendancy, he does not have female experience. So, of the two experiences, at any one time, a soul has either female experience or male experience. (Now) when female experience is up, as female, she covets the company of a male; and when male experience is up, as. male, he covets the company of a female, which means that the two covet the company of each other,—female of male, as male of female.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
(There is no commentary available for this section).