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 the monk and the omniscient (their respective laughter and sleep)
Q. 50. Bhante! Does a man (monk) liable to lapses laugh? Does he become inquisitive?
A. 50. Yes, he laughs and he becomes inquisitive.
Q. 51. Bhante! Does the omniscient laugh? Does he become inquisitive in the same manner as the man (monk) liable to lapses?
A. 51. Gautama! He does not.
Q. 52. Bhante! Why is it so,...till the omniscient does not laugh nor becomes inquisitive?
A. 52. Gautama! A living being laughs and becomes inquisitive when his karma deluding conduct is up, but the omniscient has no more of such karma left. It is for this,... till the omniscient does neither laugh nor become inquisitive.
Q. 53. Bhante! While laughing and becoming inquisitive, how many types of karma does a living being bind?
A. 53. Gautama! Seven types or eight types, and this...till the Vaimānikas. If, however, the question is asked about many living beings, state three forms of karma bondage for all (nineteen) species, exception being (the five species of one-organ beings12.
Q. 54. Bhante! Does a man (monk) with lapses sleep? Does he sleep standing13?
A. 54. Yes, he sleeps and he sleeps standing.
And as in the case of laughing, so here too; but the difference is that he sleeps standing because of the coming up of karma enshrouding vision; but not so with the omniscient.
Q. 55. Bhante! While sleeping, and sleeping in a standing posture, how many types of karma does a living being bind?
A. 55. Gautama! Seven types or eight types and this... till the Vaimānikas. In case of many, leaving aside all one-organ beings (five species), state three forms (for the remaining nineteen species).
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
12. Leaving aside the immobile beings and one-organ beings, for whom only one form is relevant, (viz., many bind seven types of karma and many bind eight types), for the rest, three forms are relevant which are:
- all bind seven types of karma;
- many bind seven types and one bind eight types;
- many bind seven types and many bind eight types.
13. Sleeping in a standing posture is called pracalā. Sleep and pracalā, both are the outcome of karma enshrouding vision. Ordinary beings experience this karma and hence have both sleep and pracalā