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 - Beneath the heavens

Q. 126. Bhante! Beneath the heavens named Saudharma and Īśāna, are there houses or shops?

A. 126. It is not correct to say so.

Q. 127. Bhante! Are there great clouds?

A. 127. Yes, they are there. And these are done by devas, and also by asuras, but not by nāgas. And so also about the thunders.

Q. 128. Bhante! What about the coarse earth-bodies and coarse fire-bodies?

A. 128. They are not there, except beings endowed with oblique movement.

Q. 129. Bhante! What about the moon, etc.?

A. 129. These are not there.

Q. 130. Bhante! Are there villages?

A. 130.. It is not oorrect to say so.

Q. 131. Bhante! Are there the beams of the moon?

A. 131. Gautama! It is not correct to say so. And the same account is to be repeated...till the heavens named Sanatkumāra and Māhendra, difference being that these are done by devas alone. To be specifically enquired are the coarse water-bodies, coarse fire-bodies and coarse flora-bodies. The rest as before.

Couplets:

In tamaskāya,... till five heavens
(To note are) fire-bodies and earth-bodies
Fire-bodies alone in the worlds (hells)
Water-, fire- and flora-bodies in higher heavens,
As also in kṛṣṇarāji.

Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):

(There is no commentary available for this section).

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