Tattvartha Sutra (with commentary)

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

This page describes the movement of the luminary beings (jyotishi-deva) which is verse 4.13 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 13 of the chapter The Celestial Beings and includes an extensive commentary.

Go directly to: Concepts.

Verse 4.13 - The movement of the luminary beings (jyotiṣī-deva)

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation of Tattvartha sūtra 4.13:

मेरुप्रदक्षिणा नित्यगतयो नृलोके ॥ ४.१३ ॥

merupradakṣiṇā nityagatayo nṛloke || 4.13 ||

The luminary deva (jyotiṣī deva) of the human region (manuṣyaloka, nṛloka), move incessantly round Mount Meru, from left to right–merupradakṣiṇā. (13)

Hindi Anvayarth:

अन्वयार्थ: ऊपर कहे हुए ज्योतिषी देव मेरु पर्वत की प्रदक्षिणा देते हुए मनुष्यलोक में हमेशा गमन करते हैं।

Anvayartha: upara kahe hue jyotishi deva meru parvata ki pradakshina dete hue manushyaloka mem hamesha gamana karate haim |

Explanation in English from Ācārya Pūjyapāda’s Sarvārthasiddhi:

The movement of the luminary deva (jyotiṣī deva) is described next.

‘Merupradakṣiṇā’ means motion round Mount Meru. This phrase is intended to indicate the correct direction of the motion, which is from left to right. ‘Nityagatayaḥ’ is intended to convey incessant motion. ‘Nṛloka’–the human region–specifies that these are in constant motion within the extent of the human region (see sūtra 3-35), and not outside this limit. Now, there is no cause for the motion of the celestial-cars (vimāna) of Stellar deva. These should not move. No. The argument is fallacious. The celestial-cars (vimāna) have incessant motion as these are impelled constantly by the Ābhiyogya subclass of the Stellar deva, who take pleasure in motion. If it be asked why they should enjoy constant motion, the reply is that the fruition of karmas is strange. The fruition of their karmas is in form of constant motion. This is the reason why they constantly engage themselves in motion. Though the Stellar deva revolve constantly round Mount Meru, still they are at a distance of 1,121 yojana from it.

Other Jainism Concepts:

[back to top]

Discover the significance of concepts within the article: ‘The movement of the luminary beings (jyotisi-deva)’. Further sources in the context of Jainism might help you critically compare this page with similair documents:

Mount Meru, Celestial car.
Let's grow together!

I humbly request your help to keep doing what I do best: provide the world with unbiased sources, definitions and images. Your donation direclty influences the quality and quantity of knowledge, wisdom and spiritual insight the world is exposed to.

Let's make the world a better place together!

Like what you read? Consider supporting this website: