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भगवती सूत्रः शः ५ उः ९
a vajra in the centre and an up-turned mrdanga at the surface. An infinite multitude of beings (ananta jiva-ghana)39 are born, and being born, they die (and transform); and likewise, an unlimited multitude of beings (paritta-jiva-ghana) are born, and being born, they die (and transform). The sphere exists as ever wherein there are births, deaths and transformations. It is because of these (births, etc.,) that the sphere comes to notice.
-Does the sphere take its name as loka because it has become lokita (conspicuous) on account of these (i.e., birth, etc.) ?
-Right you are, oh Bhagavantas ! It is for this reason, Aryas, it has been said that the sphere is eternal ... (state as before).
From that day, the senior monks of the order of Arhat Pārsva accepted Sramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvira as all-knowing and all-seeing, whereon the senior monks paid homage and obeisance to Sramaņa Bhagavān Mahāvīra, and having paid homage and obeisance, they prayed as follows:
-Bhante ! Desire we to accept under thy guidance the religion of the Five Vows, with pratikramana added, in lieu of th religion of the Four Vowsco.
Whereon ordained the Lord :
: -Oh beloved of the gods ! Do as it may suit thee, but delay not.
Thereon the senior monks of the order of Arhat Pārsva, ...till some of them became perfected at their last respirations, ...till ended all misery, while others were born in heavens.
[ the abode of the gods ] प्रश्न १८०-काइविहा णं भंते ! देवलोगा पण्णत्ता ?
