________________
12
AŅUOGADDĀRĀIŅ
[ SUTTAS 37 scriptural knowledge, is stated to be threefold, viz. (i) the scripture as substance-potential (namely) body of the knower, (ii) the scripture as substance-potential (namely) body of the competent person, and (iii) the scripture as substance-potential other than the body of the knower and the body of the competent person.
37. Then what is the scripture as substance-potential (namely) body of the knower ? The scripture as substance-potential (namely) body of the knower is such a body of the knower who knows the purview of the meaning of the treatise named 'scripture', a body which is devoid (of the consciousness and has reached the state of unconsciousness), seceded (from breath,... as described in sutta
17), having seen which, some one could say, “Ah ! by this bodyconglomerate indeed the treatise named 'scripture' was properly understood...(as described in sutta No. 17)...in accordance with the purpose envisaged by the Jina" ... This was a pot of ghee'. This is the scripture as substance-potential (namely) body of the knower.
38. Then what is the scripture as substance-potential (namely) body of the competent person ? The scripture as substance.potential (namely) body of the competent person is (the body of) a soul which has come out of womb through birth,...(as described in sutta No. 18)...will study in future time, the treatise named 'scripture', in accordance with the purpose envisaged by the Jina...(as described in sutta No. 18)... This will be a pot of ghee'. This is the scripture as substance-potential (namely) body of the competent person.
39. Then what is the scripture as substance-potential other than the body of the knower and the body of the competent person ? The scripture as substance-potential other than the body of the knower and the body of the competent person is a document written on leaf (palm leaf, etc.) or in books (potthayal which also means cloth, plaster, etc.).
40. Or the scripture (sutta) (as substance-potential other than the body of the knower and the body of the competent person) is stated to be fivefold, viz.2 (i) produced from egg (amdaya), (ii) produced
1. See sutta No. 11.
Here sutta is interpreted as sūtra thread'. The Commentary, p. 31 A, explains this irrelevant digression as due to the peculiarity of the Prakrit language in which suya may mcan both śruta and sūtra. The widening of the horizon of the disciple's knowledge is also given as the reason for such diversions.