Agam 05 Ang 05 Bhagvati Vyakhya Prajnapti Sutra Part 02 Bhagvai Terapanth

SR No.: 006599
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Tulsi Acharya, Mahapragna Acharya, Mahendramuni, Nathmal Tatia
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati
Publication Year: 2009
Total Pages: 740
Language: English
Classification: Book_English, Agam, Canon, & agam_bhagwati
File Size: 20 MB

Page 365

Bhagavai 6:Preface:
-: 341:Bermuda Peninsula. As the steamer was advancing in the open sea, the operator of Radar suddenly found that there was huge earthen mound like object at a distance of 28 to 30 miles right in front. He informed his boss about it. When the boss saw the earthen mound and the marine compass, he also doubted that there was something wrong. The captain also was alerted, but he did not change the direction of the steamer and allowed it to go ahead. Within a very few hours the steamer reached very near the mound. But now only earth appeared there instead of a earthen mound.
What was most alarming yet interesting was that the powerful radar and the search-lights were proving ineffective. In fact, there was neither earth nor vacant land, but it was a peculiar surface of water that appeared like a piece of land or a mass of earth rising up from the north-east to south-east. It was a vivid experience of solitary, cold death. But exhibiting an extra-ordinary courage, the captain and the crew continued to advance. On entering into this illusive marine area, all the lights of the steamer were off. The darkness was so deep and dense that even the extremely bright carbon-arc lamps did not appear brighter than an almost extinguishing spark. The members of the crew were caught in a feat of coughing which proved uncontrollable. The steam-pressure in the engine started decreasing. Being helpless the captain had to order to reverse the direction of the steamer. Everything was done by guess, but for several hours they had to fight with death. Only when the inmates of the steamer could get the glimpse of the dawn, there was no limit to their wonder that there was not the least trace of the illusive appearance even in the remotest area."
Such mysterious happenings are not unusual in the cosmic scenario.
The doctrine of projection of the soul-units in diverse direction in the proximity of death' (māraṇāntika samudghāta) is a topic that needs investigation in the light of the modern developing science of parapsychology that has been collecting the death-bed experiences of the subjects. Many mysteries of life and death are being brought to light through this ancient description found in the Jain scriptures, specially in the Bhagavati Sūtra.
In the present Sataka, there are important topics like measurable time, immeasurable time, the time-wheel, the creation of corporeal form by protean power,
etc.
The style of composition of this canonical work reveals that at the time of Devarddhi Ganī, many texts were incorporated in it from different sources. Some Sūtras are verbatim repetitions; for example, this Sataka repeats the Sūtra (of the V Sataka) dealing with the omniscient not knowing and seeing through the senseorgans.
Every Sataka of the Bhagavati Sūtra can be considered as an independent treatise dealing with the deep problems of metaphysics, and epistemology.
1. Pā. Yo. Da. 2.11.