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 1 - Bondage and experience of life-span
Venue: Rājagṛha... made the following submission:
Q. 80. Bhante! A soul is fit to be born in hell. Does It acquire the span of infernal life right here in this world, or while it is in the process of being born in bell or after being born in hell?
A. 80. Gautama! A soul fit to be born in hell acquires the span of infernal life right here in this world, not while being born in hell, nor after being born in hell.
Q. 81. Bhante! A soul is fit to be born in hell. Does it have the experience of infernal life right here in this world, or while being born in hell or after being born in hell?
A. 81. Gautama! A soul fit to be born in hell has the experience of infernal life not in this world, but while in the process of being born in hell and thereafter. And like this, till the Vaimānikas.
Q. 82. Bhante! A soul is fit to be born in hell. Does it have a great pain while it is still in this world, or while being born in hell or after being born in hell?
A. 82. Gautama! While in this world, it may sometimes have a great pain and sometimes a little pain. While it is in the process of being born in hell, it may sometimes have a great pain and sometimes a little pain. But after it is born in hell, it has uniformly a great pain, and scarcely any relief.
Q. 8?. Bhante! What about a soul fit to be born as an Asurakumāra?
A. 83. Gautama! Such a soul has sometimes a great pain and sometimes a little pain in this world; and so also when it is in the process of being born. But after it is born, it has uniformly a great pain and scarcely any relief. All this holds, till the Stanitakumāras.
Q. 84. Bhante! What about a soul fit to be born among the earth bodies?
A. 84. Gautama! Such a soul has sometimes a great pain and sometimes a little pain in this world, and so also while it is in the process of being born; but after it is born thither, it has only pain of diverse sort. And this holds, till the human beings. Vāṇavyantaras, Jyotiṣkas and Vaimānikas are like the Asurakumāras.
Q. 85. Bhante! Do living beings have a life-span as long as their experiences last or even thereafter?
A. 85. Not only as long as their experiences last, but even thereafter. This holds from the infernal beings, till the Vaimānikas.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
(There is no commentary available for this section).