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 11 - Energy of the omniscient
Q. 80. Does an omniscient who occupies the pradeśas of the space by the movement of his hands and feet, his arms and knees at the present time continue to occupy the same pradeśas of the space in the future by the movement of his bands and other limbs?
A. 80. Gautama! This is not correct.
Q. 81. Bhante! What is the reason for this,...till in the same pradeśas of the space?
A. 81. Gautama! (The conscious substance or the soul) of the omniscient is endowed with energy and activity because of which the limbs move. Now, the pradeśas of the space which are occupied by the movement of hands and other limbs at the present time are not the same as the pradeśas of the space that may be occupied in future by the movement of hands,...till limbs, because of which it is stated that the pradeśas of the sky which are occupied at the present time by the movement of hands...till limbs are not the same as the pradeśas of the sky that may be occupied in the future by the movement of hands,...till limbs19.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
19. The word vīriya-sajoga-saddavvayāe needs explanation. On the exhaustion of karma obstructing enery, energy (of the omniscient) becomes unlimited so that mind and other organs of the body are full of energy; but till they are harnessed to active use, there is no visible motion. Hence the adjective sayoga. Diverse interpretations have been given to the word sat in saddavvayāe. According to one, sat is satta. (existent); according to another, the substance called soul becomes sat with the removal of the obstruction.