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Bhagavati Sūtra
26. The relevant chapter in the Sūtra states that the infernal beings are desirous of intake, which is conscious (ābhoga nivartita) as well as unconscious (anabhoga nivartita). For instance, we inhale many things including germs and other invisible things which constitute unconscious intake. Likewise, the entire body system absorbs from the environment heat, cold, moisture, etc., which are all unconscious intakes.
27. The couplet gives in a nutshell all the points resolved above on life-span, respiration and intake. Similar couplets occur at other places in the Sūtra. This is like giving the gist.
28. Four questions, and likewise four answers, take each, in all, 63 forms (bhangas) as follows:
Forms
Numbers
(i) Taken, being taken, to be taken, not taken,
not being taken, not to be taken (ii) Combination of above by two's, e.g.,
taken-being taken, taken-to be taken,
etc. (iii) Combination of above by three's, e.g.,
taken-being taken- to be taken, etc. (iv) Combination of above by four's (v) Combinaiion of above by five's (vi) Combination of all the six
29. Questions and answers for all the stages, viz., assimilation, absorption, fructification, suffering and exhaustion are similar to those for transformation. For instance, questions on assimilation will be :
(i) Did matter taken in the past assimilate ? (ii) Does matter taken now assimilate ? (iii) Does matter not taken in the past but likely to be
taken hereafter assimilate ?
