Part 3 - Upward movement of Asurakumāras

Q. 46- And what about the upward movement of the Asurakumāras? Do they have it?

A. 46. Yes, they have it.

Q. 47. Bhante! How far up are the Asurakumāras capable to go?

A. 47. Gautama!... till Acyuta-kalpa, (but) upto Saudharma-kapla, they have gone, they go and they will go.

Q. 48. Bhante! What’s the reason for this that the Asurakumāras have gone, go and will go upto Saudharma-kalpa?

A. 48. Gautama! The Asurakumāras are tied in enmity with the Vaimānika gods since their birth. So transforming themselves and enjoying with the consorts of Vaimānika gods the Asurakumāras cause terror to the body-guard gods, steal small gems and run away to lonely spots.

Q. 49. Bhante! Do these Vaimānika gods possess enough small gems?

A. 49. Yes, they do.

Q. 50. And how do they react?

A. 50. Thereafter they cause them physical pain. (The Vaimānika gods beat them for stealing their gems.)

Q. 51. Bhante! When gone up, are the Asurakumāras capable to enjoy divine and enjoyable pleasures with the nymphs residing there?

A. 51. Gautama! They can’t. They retrace their steps and return here (to their own station). If perchance those nymphs are nice to them and accept them as their mates, then these Asurakumāras are capable to enjoy divine and enjoyable pleasures with those Vaimānika nymphs. But if they are not kindly disposed towards them and do not accept them as their mates, then the Asurakumāras cannot enjoy divine and enjoyable pleasures in the company of those nymphs. Gautama! It is for this that the Asurakumāras have gone, go and will go to Saudharma-kalpa.

Q. 52. Bhante! In what time, have the Asurakumāras gone up,... till Saudharma-kalpa?

A. 52. Gautama! On the expiry of an infinite number of up-phases of the time-cycle and of an infinite number of down-phases of the time-cycle, this wonderful news becomes known in the sphere that the Asurakumāras go up... till Saudharma-kalpa.

Q. 53. Bhante! With what support do the Asurakumāras go high up,... till Saudharma-kalpa?

A. 53. Gautama! Just as the men of the Śabara, Babbara, Ḍhaṅkaṇa, Bhuttua, Paṇhaya and Puliṃda tribes, having their base in some dense forest, ditch, water fortress, cave or a thick grove, take courage to inflict defeat on a vast and well-organised cavalry, elephantry, infantry or archers, in the same manner, these Asurakumāras, taking shelter behind some Arihanta, or Arihanta’s caitya, or some homeless (monk) or some advanced soul, and nowhere else, go high up,...till Saudharma-kalpa.

A. 54. Gautama! There’s no reason to think so; only the Asurakumāras with a great fortune go high up,...till Saudharma-kalpa.

Q. 55. Bhante! Did Camara, the Indra of the Asuras, their king, at any time in the past go high up,... till Saudharma-kalpa?

A. 55. Yes, Gautama, he did.

Q. 56. Bhante! It is wonderful. Now, Camara, the Indra of the Asurakumāras, their king, who has such a great fortune, such a great glow....till wherein did they enter?

A. 56. The illustration of the summit-like chamber needs be stated.

Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):

(There is no commentary available for this section).