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 3 - On physical dimensions
Q. 172. Bhante! What has been stated of the physical dimensions of each one of the occupants of the 30,00,000 cells in the 搁补迟苍补辫谤补产丑腻 hell113?
A. 172. Gautama! Physical dimensions have been stated to be of countless variety. They are: minimum dimension, minimum plus one physical unit more, minimum plus two physical units more... till minimum plus countless physical units more, and then maximum dimension, fitting in with each.
Q. 173. Bhante! Now, about the living beings with the minimum dimension, is each one of the occupants of the 30,00,000 cells of the 搁补迟苍补辫谤补产丑腻 bell in possession of anger, etc.?
A. 173. Gautama! (They are) stated to take in all 80 forms....till minimum dimension plus countable number of physical units in excess. Of those with minimum dimension plus countless number of physical units in excess, and those with maximum dimensions, fitting in with each. these take 27 forms114.
Q. 174. Bhante! How many are stated to be the body types of each one of the infernal occupants (of the 30,00,000 cells) of the 搁补迟苍补辫谤补产丑腻 hell?
A. 174. Gautama! Three body types are stated. They are: fluid, caloric and 办腻谤尘补峁�115.
Q. 175. Bhante! (Each one of the infernal occupants, etc.,) having a fluid body, are they in possession of anger-?
A. 175. Gautama! (They are) stated to take 27 forms. The same standard (i.e., 27 forms) is stated to apply to (all the) three body types116.
Q. 176. Bhante! What are stated of the bone structures of the infernal occupants (of the 30,00,000 cells) of the 搁补迟苍补辫谤补产丑腻 hell?
A. 176. Gautama! Of the six bone structures, their bodies take none (i.e., they are without a bone structure. In fact, they are) without bones, without arteries, without sinews. Matter harmful, rough, unpleasant, unwelcome, unpalatable and ugly go in to constitute the body structure of these117.
Q. 177. Bhante! (Each one of the infernal occupants, etc.,) who takes not one of the six bone structures, and is hence without a bone structure, is he in possession of anger?
A. 177. Gautama f (Again) 27 forms:
Q. 178. Bhante! What are stated of the bodily shapes of the infernal occupants (of the 30,00,000 cells) of the 搁补迟苍补辫谤补产丑腻 hell?
A. 178. Gautama! (They are) stated to take two shapes. They are: one lasting till life, and the other pure fluid lasting thereafter. Of these, the one lasting till life is stated to be of very ugly and uncouth shape. Even the pure fluid type is stated to be of very ugly and uncouth shape.
Q. 179. Bhante! (Each one of the infernal occupants, etc.,) who takes an ugly and uncouth shape, is he in possession of anger?
A. 179. Gautama! (They take) 27 forms.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva S奴ri):
113. 鈥�翱驳腻丑补峁嚹佱弓丑腻峁嚹�, is the dimension of the body in which the soul resides. Obviously, this implies physical dimensions. They take innumerable forms, starting with a minimum which an infinitesimal fraction of a finger dimension, minimum plus one physical-unit, minimum plus two physical-units, minimum plus a countable number of physical units, minimum plus an uncountable number of physical units, till the maximum.
114. As to anger, pride, attachment and greed, the internals with minimum life-span till minimum plus a countable number of time-units take 80 forms (vide note 112); for tie rest, infemals with minimum life-span, as also infemals with minimum plus an uncountable number of time-units till the maximum, both take 27 forms (vide note 111). The position changes with physical dimensions, the minimum taking 80 forms. But there is no scope for confusion, since the considerations are different. Besides, a reconciliation may be given as follows: infemals with minimum life-span and minimum dimensions take 80 forms; but infemals with minimum lifespan and minimum dimensions plus an uncountable number of physical units till the maximum take 27 forms. Internals with minimum physical dimensions till the minimum plus a countable number of physical-units are not always to be found in the first hell and. they take 80 forms. Infemals with minimum plus an uncountable number of physical-units till the maximum are always to be found in the first hell and they take 27 forms.
115. The physical abode of the soul, in which the soul stretches itself, and which transforms every moment, is called 艣补谤墨谤补. Three body types are distinguished as fluid, caloric and 办腻谤尘补峁�. 碍腻谤尘补峁� body is made of karma matter. Caloric body helps to separate the absorbable part of the intake from what is to become excreta. Fluid body takes two forms, one 产丑补惫补诲丑腻谤补苍墨测补, and the other, uttaravaikriya
116. The word 鈥�tinni鈥� (all three) needs explanation. It has been stated that infernals with fluid body, who are innumerable and are always to be found in the first hell, take 27 forms. And so, it may seem, the subsequent consideration should have been restricted to the remaining two body types, viz., caloric and 办腻谤尘补峁�, instead of stating 鈥榓ll three鈥�. The reason for doing so is that the caloric body and the 办腻谤尘补峁� body as such take 80 forms. Only when the fluid is added they take 27 forms.
117. The body of the infernal beings in the first hell has no bones, arteries or sinews. Matter of which it is made is unwholesome, and, by nature, it is such that when cut, it separates into two or more parts, which again may unite. The infernals with boneless body take 27 forms.