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 7 - Time taken by matter of sound to retransform
Q. 133. Bhante! What’s the time taken by matter of sound to retransform?
A. 133. Gautama! Minimum one time-unit, and maximum unlimited time.
Q. 134. Bhante! What's the time taken by matter of non-sound to retransform?
A. 134. Gautama! Minimum one time-unit, and maximum unlimited fractions of an āvalikā
Q. 135. Bhante! Of the span-as-substance, span-as-place, span-as-shape and span-as-phenomena32, which one is (less, more, similar, or) especially more?
A. 135. Gautama! Smallest is span-as-place, span-as-shape is unlimited times more, span-as-substance is unlimited times more (than the second), and span-as-phenomena is unlimited times more (than the third).
Couplet:
Of the span.
As place, shape, substance and phenomena
To be stated are—which one is more or less.
Span-as-place is the smallest.
The remainders are unlimited times more
(One above the previous one.)
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
32. When matter (pudgala) exists in the form of a skandha with two pradeśas, it is matter as substance. When it exists on one or more pradeśas of space, it is matter as place. When it exists in some shape or form, it is matter as shape or form. When it exists as phenomena, it is matter as phenomena. In other words, span-as-substance (dravya-sthānāyu), span-as-place (kṣetra-sthānāyu), span-as-shape (avagāhanā sthānāyu) and span-as-phenomena (bhāva-sthānāyu) characterise pudgala as well as skandha.