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THE HEAVENLY BEINGS
elsewhere? Hence this sutra is unnecessary. It is not so. What is the reason? It is not established that the luminary bodies exist and that they are stationary beyond the human region. In order to establish both these things, it is mentioned that they are stationary outside. This sutra is intended to preclude motion in the opposite direction and occasional motion.
The general name of the fourth order is mentioned next. वैमानिकाः
Vaimānikāḥ
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16. The Heavenly Beings (Vaimānikāḥ).
The word Vaimanikäḥ is intended to indicate a new section or topic. It is for conveying the idea that what is mentioned hereafter relates to the heavenly beings. Those which make the beings residing in them feel as possessing merit are called Vimānas. And those who live in Vimanas are Vaimanikas. The Vimanas are of three kinds, namely Indraka, Sreņi and Puspaprakirnaka. Among them Indraka Vimānas are in the middle like the Lord (Indra). Srenibaddha Vimanas are those which are situated in the four directions like the rows of spacepoints. Those, which are scattered like flowers in the intermediate points of the compass, are called Puspaprakirnakas..
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What are the divisions of Vaimanikas?
कल्पोपपन्नाः कल्पातीताश्च
Kalpopapannaḥ kalpatitasca
17. Those born in the kalpas and beyond the kalpas. Vaimānikas are of two kinds, those born in the sixteen. Heavens or Kalpas and those born beyond these.
How are these situated?
उपर्युपरि Uparyupari
॥ १६ ॥ (16)
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॥ १७ ॥
(17)
18. One above the other.
Why is this mentioned? It is in order to preclude transverse 1 The kalpas are the habitations of devas from Saudharma prior to Graiveyakas. Refer to sutras 19 and 23.
॥ १८ ॥
(18)
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