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 5 - On the life of the Asurakumāras
Q. 190. Bhante! What sort of life has been ascribed to each one of the occupants of the 64,00,000 cells allotted to the Asurakumāras?
A. 190. Gautama! This has been stated to take innumerable forms. Minimum span is the same as that of the infernals, exception being that the forms need be reversed (as greed, deceit, pride and anger, and not anger, pride, deceit and greed, as in the case of the infernals)125. All are endowed with greed, or many with greed and one with deceit, or many with greed and many with deceit, and so on, and like this of all the species till the Stanitakumāras. Specialities (of each species) should be noted126.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
125. ‘Paḍilomā’ is the reversal of the order from ‘anger, pride, attachment, greed’ as in the case of the infernal beings into ‘greed, attachment, pride, anger’ for the Bhavanavāsis. While anger is the most dominant trait of the infernals, greed is the most dominant characteristic of the Bhavanavāsis.
126. Bhavanavāsis differ from the dwellers of the infernal regions in their body structures as well as tinges. The Bhavanavāsis too take no bones in their body, which, however. is made of beautiful matter and has a well-measured shape. They take four tinges.