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 6 - Transformation when two objects are involved
Q. 57. Bhante! When two objects are involved, are they formed by matter consciously transformed, matter as a mixture, or matter spontaneously transformed?
A. 57. Gautama! May be by matter consciously transformed, or as a mixture, or spontaneously transformed; or one may be formed by matter consciously transformed and another by matter as a mixture; or one by matter consciously transformed and another by matter spontaneously transformed; or one by matter as a mixture and another by matter Spontaneously transformed, (six forms)
Q. 58. Bhante! If they are formed by conscious transformation of matter, are they the mind, the speech or the body?
A. 58. Gautama! They may be the mind, or the speech, or the body; or one mind and the other speech; or one mind and the other body; or one speech and the other body.
Q. 59. Bhante! If they be the mind, are they the truthful mind, or untruthful mind, or truthful-untruthful mind, or non-truthful non-untruthful mind?
A. 59. Gautama! They may be the truthful mind, or untruthful mind, or truthful-untruthful mind, or non-truthful non-untruthful mind; or one truthful and another untruthful; or one truthful and another truthful-untruthful; or one truthful and another non-truthful non-untruthful; or one untruthful and another truthful-untruthful; or one untruthful and another non-truthful non-untruthful; or one truthful-untruthful and another non-truthful non-untruthful.
Q. 60. Bhante! If they be truthful, then, are they so with regard to violence, or non-violence, or resolve for violence, or for torture?
A. 60. Gautama! They may be with regard to violence, or non-violence, or resolve for violence, or for torture, or all possible combinations by two’s, without any omission, and like this, till the gods in the Sarvārthasiddha Anuttaraupapātika vimāna.
Q. 61. Bhante! If the two objects are formed by matter as a mixture, then, are they relevant of the mind, etc.?
A. 61. Gautama? Repeat here what has been stated of matter consciously transformed.
Q. 62. Bhante! If the two objects are formed by matter spontaneously transformed, then, are they relevant of colour, till shape?
A. 62. As aforesaid, till one may have the shape of a square and another that of a rectangle.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
Q. 57-67. When two objects are involved, the total number of forms are 1204. Similarly are stated the number of forms for three, four, till an infinite number of objects, the meaning of which is difficult to catch by people who are not connected with the Jaina tradition.