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 2 - On monk transforming into horse form, etc.
Q. 120. Bhante! Is a monk with an advanced soul capable, without the help of external matter, to transform himself into a horse, an elephant, a lion, a tiger, a sheep, a rhino, a bear, a leopard or a parāśara (an animal more powerful than the lion, an extinct species now)?
A. 120. No, he cannot.
Q. 121. With the help of external matter, pray?
A. 121. With the help of external matter, he can.
Q. 122. Is a monk with an advanced soul capable to transform himself into a vast horse form and go over a distance of many yojanas?
A. 122. Yes, he is.
Q. 123. Bhante! Does he go by his own capability? Or, by the capability of others?
A. 123. Gautama! He goes by his own capability, not by the capability of others. And he goes by the activity of his own self, and not by the activity of others; by the exertion of his own self, and not by the exertion of others. Sometimes he goes erect, and sometimes he goes bent.
Q. 124. Bhante! Is that monk a horse?
A. 124. Gautama! He is a monk, not a horse,...till not a parāśara.
Q. 125. Bhante! Does a monk with deceit transform? Or, without deceit transform?
A. 125. Gautama! One with deceit transforms, not one free from dece
Q. 126. Bhante! Transforming as aforesaid, if one with deceit dies without discussion and without saying pratikramaṇa, where is he born?
A. 126. Gautama! He is born as a god in one of the ābhiyogika heavens23 (upto Acyuta-kalpa).
Q. 127. Bhante! In a similar situation, if one deceit-free dies after discussion and after saying pratikramaṇa, where is he born?
A. 127. Gautama! He is born as a god in one of the non-ābhiyogika heavens (i.e., above Acyuta-kalpa).
Bhante! So it is. Glory be to the Lord! So saying, Bhagavān Gautama paid his homage and obeisance to Śramaṇa Bhagavān Mahāvīra, and having done so, he resumed his seat.
Couplet:
Transformation into woman form,
Sword, banner and sacred thread,
Palhatthi and paryaṅkāsana posture(s) of sitting
Transformation into, and power to enter, these,—
They have been considered above,
And they are relevant of one with deceit.
Chapter Five ends.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
23. Abhiyoga means power to enter into an animal form (body), whereas vikurvaṇā means to transform one’s own person. On abhiyoga, the following is important:
maṃtā-jogaṃ kāuṃ bhūikammaṃ tu je pauṃjeṃti
sāya-rasa-iḍḍhiheuṃ abhiyogaṃ bhāvaṇaṃ kuṇai[One who indulges in material activities with an earthly end like power, prosperity, good food, etc., is said to perform abhiyoga.]