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 light and darkness

Q. 166. Bhante! Is the day bright and the night dark?

A. 166. Yes, Gautama,... till dark.

Q. 167. Why so?

A. 167. The day has auspicious matter; it transforms into auspicious matter. The night has inauspicious matter; it transforms into inauspicious matter. So they are like that.

Q. 168. Bhante! Are the infernal beings bright or dark?

A. 168. Gautama! The infernal beings are not bright; they are dark.

Q. 169. Why are they so?

A. 169. Gautama! The infernal beings are with inauspicious matter; they transform into inauspicious matter. Hence it is so.

Q. 170. Bhante! Are the Asurakumāras bright or dark?

A. 170. Gautama! The Asurakumāras are bright, not dark.

Q. 171. Why are they so?

A. 171. Gautama! The Asurakumāras are made of auspicious matter; they transform into auspicious matter. It is for this so,... till the Stanitakumāras.

The earth-bodies,... till the three-organ beings are similar to the infernal beings.

Q. 172. Bhante! Are the four-organ beings dark or bright?

A. 172. Gautama! They are bright; also they are dark.

Q. 173. Why so?

A. 173. Gautama! The four-organ beings are made with auspicious as well as with inauspicious matter; they transform into auspicious as well as into inauspicious matter. It is for this so,... till human beings, Vāṇavyantaras, Jyotiṣkas and Vaimānikas are similar to the Asurakumāras.

Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):

(There is no commentary available for this section).

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