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 - Acquisition of matter—by cloth and by soul
Q. 19 Bhante! Does matter get assimilated with cloth due to effort or to a natural process?
A. 19. Gautama! Both due to effort and to a natural process.
Q. 20. Bhante! Just as matter is acquired by cloth due to effort and to a natural process, is it so acquired by a living being (soul) in the same manner, due to effort and to a natural process?
A. 20. Gautama! (In the case of a living being, this happens) due to effort, and not to a natural process.
Q. 21. Why is it so?
A. 21. Gautama! The effort of a living being is stated to be of three types, which are, effort of mind, effort of word, and effort of body. As karma is acquired by living beings by these three efforts, so karma acquired by living beings is due to effort, and not to a natural process. Like this, for all the five-organ beings, three efforts need be stated. All earth-bodies have one type of effort, and like this,... till the flora-bodies. Two- to four-organ beings are stated to have two efforts, which are, effort of word and effort of body. Karma is acquired by these two efforts, (and so it is acquired) due to effort, and not to a natural process. It is for this so,... till not due to a natural process. This effort (is to be stated) as per relevance to different species,... till the Vaimānikas.
Q. 22. Bhante! Is the acquisition of matter by cloth with a beginning and with an end? With a beginning and with no end? With no beginning but with an end? Or, with no beginning and no end?
A. 22. Gautama! the acquisition of matter by cloth is with a beginning and with an end, and is not with a beginning and without an end, nor without a beginning and with an end, nor without a beginning and without an end.
Q. 23. Bhante! (As you say), the acquisition of matter by cloth is with a beginning and with an end, and not with a beginning and without an end, nor without a beginning and with an end, nor without a beginning and without an end; then is jt so with a living being (soul)?
A. 23. Gautama! Some of the living beings have the acquisition of karma with a beginning and with an end; some others have the acquisition of karma without a beginning but with an end; still others have the acquisition of karma without a beginning and without an end; but no living being has acquisition of karma with a beginning but without an end.
Q. 24. Why is it so?
A. 24. Gautama! With regard to karma acquired (due to inadequate precaution) in movement, the acquisition of karma is with a beginning and with an end. The acquisition of karma of the would-be liberated is without a beginning but with an end. The acquisition of karma of the non-would-be-liberated is without a beginning and without an end. It is for this so, oh Gautama!
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
(There is no commentary available for this section).