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 - Unrestrained monk
Q. 140. Bhante! Can an unrestrained monk, without the help of external matter, transform into a single colour and a single form?
A. 140. No, he cannot.
Q. 141. Bhante! Can an unrestrained monk, with the help of external matter, transform into a single colour and a single form?
A. 141. Yes, he can.
Q. 142. Bhante! Does he do so with matter from here (this world), or with matter from there (the world ahead), or with matter outside these two places?
A. 142. Gautama! He does so with matter from here but not with matter from there or elsewhere. In this way, he may assume one colour and many forms, (many colours and one form, many colours and many forms), and so on, four forms as stated in S. 6. U. 9. Exception to be especially noticed.is that a monk from this world transforms with the help of matter from this world only. The rest as per reference, till is it possible to transform rough matter into a smooth one...is it possible to transform with the help of matter from this world, till does not transform with the help of matter from elsewhere.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
Q/A. 142. According to the commentator, ihagaye means ‘of this world’ where the monk is, tatthagaye means ‘the other world’ where the monk is to go and annatthagaye refers to any other place apart from these two.