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 4 - More on dharmāstikāya
Q. 68. Bhante! How big has been stated to be dharmāstikāya? (In other words, what are the details about dharmāstikāya?)
A. 68. Gautama! Dharmāstikāya is as big as the spheres, a replica of the spheres, with a similar expanse as the spheres, is touched by the spheres and itself touches the spheres. And like this are adharmāstikāya, the sky of the spheres, jīvāstikāya and pudgalāstikāya—these five being wholly identical,
Q. 69. Bhante! What portion of dharmāstikāya is touched by the lower spheres?
A. 69. Gautama! It touches slightly more than half.
Q. 70. Bhante! And of the central spheres?
A. 70. Gautama! It touches innumerable portions.
Q. 71. And of upper spheres, pray!
A. 71. Gautama! It touches about half.
Q. 72. Bhante! The Ratnaprabhā hell—does it touch a limited portion of dharmāstikāya, or an unlimited portion, or limited portions of it, or unlimited portions of it, or the whole of it?
A. 72. Gautama! it touches not a limited portion, but an unlimited portion; but it touches not either limited portions, or unlimited portions, or the whole.
Q. 73. Bhante! The viscous water of the Ratnaprabhā hell—what portion of dharmāstikāya is touched by it? A limited portion? (Repeat as before)
A, 74. As has been stated of the Ratnaprabhā hell, so of the viscous water, the viscous wind and the light wind.
Q. 74. Bhante! Do the hulls of the Ratnaprabhā hell touch a limited portion of dharmāstikāya, do they touch its unlimited portion,...till touch the whole?
A. 74. Gautama! It touches a limited portion, not an unlimited portion, nor limited portions, nor unlimited portions nor the whole. Like this about all the hulls. And as has been stated of the Ratnaprabhā hell, so...till the seventh hell, all isles (continents) like Jambu-dvīpa, etc., all seas like Salt Sea, etc., and Saudharma-kalpa...till the abode of the liberated souls—all these touch an unlimited portion of dharmāstikāya. The touch with others is to be specifically prohibited, and this is true of adharmāstikāya. and of the sky of the spheres.
Couplet:
Hells, viscous water, wind—
Both viscous and light
Kalpas, graiveyakas, anuttaras,
Siddhi—the abode of liberated souls
These touch unlimited portion of dharmāstikāya
(Seven) hulls touch only a limited portion.
Chapter ten ends.
Book two ends.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
(There is no commentary available for this section).