Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)

by Vijay K. Jain | 2018 | 130,587 words | ISBN-10: 8193272625 | ISBN-13: 9788193272626

This page describes the subclasses of the stellar beings (jyotishka-deva) which is verse 4.12 of the English translation of the Tattvartha Sutra which represents the essentials of Jainism and Jain dharma and deals with the basics on Karma, Cosmology, Ethics, Celestial beings and Liberation. The Tattvarthasutra is authorative among both Digambara and Shvetambara. This is verse 12 of the chapter The Celestial Beings and includes an extensive commentary.

Verse 4.12 - The subclasses of the stellar beings (jyotiṣka-deva)

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Tattvartha sūtra 4.12:

ज्योतिष्काः सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ ग्रहनक्षत्रप्रकीर्णकतारकाश्च ॥ ४.१२ ॥

jyotiṣkāḥ sūryācandramasau grahanakṣatraprakīrṇakatārakāśca || 4.12 ||

The stellar (jyotiṣka) deva comprise the sun (sūrya), the moon (candramā), the planets (graha), the constellations (nakṣatra) and the scattered stars (tāre). (12)

Hindi Anvayarth:

अन्वयार्थ: ज्योतिषी देवों के पाँच भेद हैं-1. सूर्य, 2. चन्द्रमा, 3. ग्रह, 4. नक्षत्र और 5. प्रकीर्णक तारे।

Anvayartha: jyotishi devom ke pamca bheda haim-1. surya, 2. candrama, 3. graha, 4. nakshatra aura 5. prakirnaka tare |

Explanation in English from Ācārya Pūjyapāda’s Sarvārthasiddhi:

The general and specific names of the third class are mentioned next.

As these are endowed with light, these five are called by the significant general name of luminary deva (jyotiṣī deva). The sun, etc., are particular names derived from name-karmas (nāmakarma). In order to indicate the importance of the sun and the moon the compound ‘sūryācandramasau’ has been used specifically. On what account are these two important? These are important on account of their brilliance, etc. Where are their abodes? The stars which are the lowest among the luminous bodies move at a height of seven hundred and ninety yojana from level earth (citrā pṛthivī)[1]. The suns move ten yojana higher. The moons move eighty yojana higher still. Four yojana higher up are the constellations. Four yojana above these are the planets called Budha (Mercury). Three yojana above these are Śukra (Venus). Three yojana above these are Bṛhaspati (Jupiter). Three yojana above these are Maṅgala (Mars). Three yojana still higher up are Śanīcara (Saturn). The space where these luminary deva (jyotiṣī deva) move is one hundred and ten yojana thick and, transversely (horizontally), it extends to innumerable islands and oceans, up to the humid atmosphere (ghanodadhi). The Scripture mentions: “At the height of seven hundred and ninety yojana above the level earth are the stars. Ten yojana higher up is the sun. Eighty yojana still higher up is the moon. Again, four yojana higher up are the constellations, and four yojana further above is Mercury. Further above, at the interval of three yojana each, are the planets Venus, Jupiter, Mars and Saturn.”

Footnotes and references:

[1]:

The upper strata (kharabhāga) of the Ratnaprabhā earth (pṛthivī) is 16,000 yojana in depth. The uppermost layer, 1,000 yojana in depth, of kharabhāga is called the citrā pṛthivī. (see ‘Tiloyapaṇṇattī-1’, verses 2-9 to 2-14). Above the citrā pṛthivī, in between the trasnali, is the manuṣyaloka, round, with the expanse of 45 lakh yojana. (see ‘Tiloyapaṇṇattī-2’, verse 4-2)

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