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 - Power of Gods
In the city of Rājagṛha, till made the following submission:
Q. 17. Bhante! Is it correct that a god crosses through four or five heavenly abodes by dint of his own power, and beyond that he does by dint of assumed power (i.e., power to transform)?
A. 17. Gautama! He does go upto four or five heavenly abodes by dint of his own power and beyond that by dim of assumed power. The same holds of Asurakumāras, exception being that they cross through the abodes of Asurakumāras by dint of their own power. The rest as aforesaid, i.e. till Stanitakumāras, Vāṇavyantaras, Jyotiṣkas and Vaimānikas cross through four or five heavenly abodes by dint of their own power, and beyond that by dint of assumed power.
Q. 18. Bhante! Can an inferior god pass through a superior God?
A. 18. Gautama! No, he cannot.
Q. 19. Bhante! Can a god pass through another who has a similar power?
A. 19. Gautama! No, he cannot, unless he is infatuated.
Q. 20. Bhante! Does he go by hypnotising the god, or without hypnotising him?
A. 20. Gautama! He can go by hypnotising him, not without.
Q. 21. Bhante! Does he hypnotise him before he goes or hypnotise him after he has gone?
A. 21. Gautama! He hypnotises him before he goes, and not the other way.
Q. 22. Bhante! Can a superior god pass exactly through the middle of an inferior god?
A. 22. Gautama! Yes, he can.
Q. 23. Bhante! Does he do so by hypnotising the inferior god or without hypnotising him.
A. 23. Gautama! He does so by hypnotising him as well as by not hypnotising him.
Q. 24. Bhante! Does the superior god hypnotise him before going or afterwards?
A. 24. Gautama! He may do so before as well as afterwards.
Q. 25. Bhante! Does an inferior Asurakumāra pass through a superior Asurakumāra?
A. 25. Gautama! No, he cannot. The three considerations which, apply to ordinary gods also hold good of Asurakumāras, till Stanitakumāras, Vāṇavyantaras, Jyotiṣkas and Vaimānikas.
Q. 26. Bhante! Can an inferior god pass exactly through the middle of a superior goddess?
A. 26. Gautama! No, he canṇot.
Q. 27. Bhante! Can a god pass exactly through the middle of a goddess with similar power?
A. 27. Gautama! As in the case of two gods with similar powers and like this, till the Vaimānikas.
Q. 28. Bhante! Can ail inferior goddess pass exactly through the middle of a superior god?
A. 28. Gautama! No, she cannot, and repeat the same in all cases, till a superior Vaimānika goddess can pass exactly through the middle of an inferior Vaimānika god.
Q. 29. Bhante! Can a superior Vaimāanika goddess pass exactly through the middle of an inferior Vaimānika god?
A. 29. Yes, Gautama! She can.
Q. 30. Bhante! Can an inferior goddess pass exactly through the middle of a superior goddess?
A. 30. Gautama! No, she cannot. Repeat what is stated above in case of two goddesses with similar power, also in case of a superior goddess with an inferior goddess. Thus three forms have to be repeated in each case.
Q. 31. Can a superior Vaimānika goddess pass exactly through the middle of an inferior Vaimānika goddess?
A. 31. Yes, Gautama! She Can.
Q. 32. Bhante! Does she go by hypnotising her before or does she hypnotise her afterwards?
A. 32. Gautama! As aforesaid, till, she my hypnotise her even afterwards. State four forms as above.