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 13 - Attitude of two Indras towards each other
Q. 23. Bhante! Is Śakra, the Indra of the gods, their king, capable to come near Īśāna, the Indra of the gods, their king?
A. 23. Yes, he is so capable.
Q. 24. Bhante! Does he show him respect? Or, does he show him disrespect?
A. 24. Gautama! He shows him respect, not disrespect.
Q. 25. Bhante! Is Īśāna, the Indra of the gods, their king, capable to come near Śakra, the Indra of the gods, their king?
A. 25. Yes, he is so capable.
Q. 26. Bhante! Does he show him respect? Or, does he show him disrespect?
A. 26. Gautama! Sometimes, he shows him respect, and sometimes he does not do so.
Q. 27. .Bhante! Is Śakra, the Indra of the gods, their king, able to see the four sides, and all sides of Īśāna, the Indra of the gods, their king?
A. 27. The two statements about ‘coming near’ are to be repeated about ‘seeing’.
Q. 28. Bhante! Is Śakra, the Indra of the gods, their king, capable to talk to, and enter into conversation with, Īśāna, the Indra of the gods, their king?
A. 28. Yes, Gautama, he is, as he is able to come near him.
Q. 29. Bhante! Between Śakra and Īśāna, the two Indras. the two king of the gods, is there any necessity, is there any business, to meet with each other?
A. 29. Yes, there is.
Q. 30. Then how do they behave towards each other?
A. 30. Gautama! In case of business or necessity, Śakra, the Indra of the gods, their king, comes to Īśāna, the Indra of the gods, their king, and so too Īśāna, the Indra of the gods, their king, comes to Śakra, the Indra of the gods, their king, (and then they address each other) as follows: (Īśānendra saying) “Oh Śakra, the Indra of the gods, the king of the gods, Master of southern half of sphere! How do you do?” (And Śakrendra saying) “Oh Īśāna, the Indra of the gods, the king of the gods, Master of northern half of sphere! How do you do?” Thus addressing each other, they meet on business or on necessity.
Q. 31. Bhante! Do Śakra and Īśāna, the two Indras, the two kings of the gods, ever quarrel?
Q. 32. What do they do then?
A. 32. Gautama! Then Śakra and Īśāna, the two Indras, the two kings of the gods, remember Śanatkumāra, the Indra of the gods, their king. Thus being remembered by Śakra and Īśāna, the two Indras, the two kings of the gods, Sanatkumāra, the Indra of the gods, their king, hurriedly comes to the two Indras, Śakra and Īśāna, the kings of the gods; and whatever award he gives, (they accept, since they) obey him, serve him, take orders from him and live as directed by him.
Notes (based on commentary of Abhayadeva Sūri):
(There is no commentary available for this section).