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...
Chapter 10: Indras’ assemblies
In the City of Rājagṛha,...till made submission as follows:
Q. 155. Bhante! How many have been stated to be the assemblies of Camara, the Indra of the Asurakumāras, their king?
A. 155. Gautama! He is stated to have three assemblies, which are Śamikā (Śamitā), Caṇḍā and Jātā. Like this, in order, need be stated...till Acyuta-kalpa27.
Bhante! So they are. Glory be to the great lord. Sc saying, Bhagavān Gautama paid his homage and obeisance to the Lord, and having done so, he withdrew to his seat.
Chapter Ten ends.
Book Three ends.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
27. The details about the assemblies in the Jīvābhigama Sutra are as follows:
The three assemblies of Camarendra are Śamikā(tā), Caṇḍā and Jātā. Śamikā is so called because it produces balance and equanimity. Caṇḍā is so called because it upsets balance and equanimity when there is provocation. Jātā is so called because it upsets balance and equanimity even without provocation. They are respectively inner, middle and outer assemblies. The inner assembly meets when convened by Camarendra himself on business which Camarendra explains before the assembly. The middle assembly meets when it is convened by Camarendra, or even when it is not so convened, and then Camarendra places before it the deliberations of the inner assembly and takes counsel from this assembly. The outer assembly meets even without being convened to receive the decisions and orders in order to put them into execution. All the remaining (nine) Indras in this direction have similar assemblies as the Indra of the Asurakumāras,
The Vāṇavyantara gods have three assemblies named Isā, Tuḍiā and Dṛḍharathā. The assemblies of the Jyotiṣkas are called Tumbā, Tuḍiā and Parvā and those of the Vaimanika gods are called Śamikā, Caṇḍā and Jātā.
The inner assembly of Camarendra has 24,000 gods and 350 goddesses, the middle assembly has 28,000 gods and 300 goddesses and the outer assembly has 32,000 gods and 250 goddesses. The life-span of the gods are respectively 2½, 2 and 1½ palyopamas, and that of the goddesses are respectively 1½, 1 and ½ palyopamas.
Balindra’s three assemblies have respectively 20,000, 24,000 and 28,000 gods and 450, 400 and 350 goddesses, with life-span of 3½, 3, 2½ palyopamas for the gods and of 2½, 2 and 1½ palyopamas for the goddesses.
In the south, the three assemblies of each Indra have respectively 60,000, 70,000 and 80,000 gods and 175, 150 and 125 goddesses, with life-span of more than ½ palyopama, ½ palyopama and less than ½ of a palyopama for the gods and less than more than ¼ and ¼ of a palyopama for the goddesses.
In the north, the three assemblies of each Indra have respectively 50,000, 60,000 and 70,000 gods and 225, 200 and 175 goddesses, with life-span less than 1 palyopama, more than ½ palyopama and ½ palyopama for the gods and ½ palyopama, less than ½ and ¼ of a palyopama for the goddesses.
Vāṇavyantaras have 32 Indras and Jyotiṣkas have 2. Their assemblies have respectively 8,000, 10,000 and 12,000 gods with life-span of ½, less than ½ and more than ¼ of a palyopama, and 100 goddesses for each of the three with life-span of more than ¼, ¼ and less than ¼ of a palyopama.
The assemblies of Sakrendra have respectively 12,000, 14,000 and 16,000 gods with life-span of 5, 4 and 3 palyopamas, and 700, 600 and 500 goddesses with life-span of 3, 2 and 1 palyopamas.
The three assemblies of Īśānendra [Īśānendra?] have respectively 10,000, 12,000 and 14,000 gods with life-span of 7, 6 and 5 palyopamas and 900, 800 and 700 goddesses with life-span of 5, 4 and 3 palyopamas.
The three assemblies of Sanatkumārendra have respectively 8.000, 10,000 and 12,000 gods with life-span of 4½ sāgaras 5 palyopamas, 4½ sāgaras 4 palyopamas and 4¼ sāgaras 3 palyopamas. From this heaven upwards, there are no goddesses.
The three assemblies of Māhendrendra have respectively 6.000, 8,000 and 10,000 gods with life-span of 4½ sāgaras 7 palyopamas, 4½ sāgaras 6 palyopamas and 4½ sāgaras 5 palyopamas.
The three assemblies of Brahmalokendra have respectively 4,000, 6,000 and 8,000 gods with life-span of 8½ sāgaras 5 palyopamas, 8½ sāgaras 4 palyopamas and 8½ sāgaras 3 palyopamas.
The three assemblies of Lāntakendra have respectively 2,000, 4,000 and 6,000 gods with life-span of 12 sāgaras 7 palyopamas, 12 sṅgaras 6 palyopamas and 12 sāgaras 5 palyopamas.
The three assemblies of Mahāśukrendra have respectively 1,000, 2,000 and 4,000 gods with life-span of 15½ sṅgaras 5 palyopamas, 15½ sāgaras 4 palyopamas and 15½ sṅgaras 3 palyopamas.
The three assemblies of Sahasrārendra have respectively 500, 1,000 and 2,000 gods with life-span of 17½ sṅgaras 7 palyopamas, 17½ sṅgaras 6 palyopamas and 17½ sāgaras 5 palyopamas.
Āṇata [Ānata?] and Prāṇata have a common Indra named Prāṇatendra His three assemblies have respectively 250, 500 and 1,000 gods with life-span of 19 sāgaras 5 palyopamas, 19 sāgaras 4 palyopamas and 19 sāgaras 3 palyopamas.
Āraṇa and Acyuta have a common Indra named Acyutendra. His three assemblies have respectively 125, 250 and 500 gods with life-span of 21 sāgaras 7 palyopamas, 21 sāgaras 6 palyopamas and 21 sāgaras 5 palyopamas.
Graibeyaka and Anuttara vimānas have no Indra so that each god there considers himself to be an Indra (ahaṃ Indra). They have the same fortune, none being high or low, master or valet. There are no assemblies in these vimānas.