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 - Vairocanendra Bali
After this, the third Gautama, monk Vāyubhūti, with the secoṇd Gautama, monk Agnibhūti, came to Śramaṇa Bhagavān Mahāvīra,...till worshipped him and made the following submission:
Q. 8. Bhante! If Asurendra Camara, the king of the Asuras, is in possession of a great fortune,...till a great power to transform, then, Bhante! how great is the fortune of Vairocanendra Bali, the king of the Vairocanas4,...till how great is his power to transform?
A. 8. Gautama! Vairocanendra Bali, the king of the Vairocanas, is in possession of a great fortune,...till a great influence. He exercises suzereinty over 30,00,000 bhavana-abodes, and 60,000 Sāmānika gods, the rest being similar to Camara’s, the difference being that his power to transform extends for some distance (only) beyond the isle of Jambu-dvīpa. (The rest of the description is to be repeated verbatim, without missing anything, special note being taken of the number of bhavana-abodes and of Sāmānika gods.)
Bhante! So they are. Glory be to the Lord! So saying, the third Gautama, monk Vāyubhūti, paid homage and obeisance,...till withdrew to his seat.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
4. Writing about the Vairocanendra, the commentator states: The Asurakumāras of the northern region have a greater brilliance than the Asurakumāras of the south, because of which the former are called Vairocana and their Indra is called Vairocanendra. His powers are more than those of Camarendra.