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108
Tattvarthasutra
[4. 25-26]
Because in them there is no division like Indra, Samanika, Traayastriisha, etc.; they are all the same, hence they are called Ahamsa. 24.
The Lokantika deities reside in Brahmaloka. 25.
Sarasvat, Aditya, Vahni, Aruna, Gardhato, Tushita,avyabadh, Marut, and Arishta are the Lokantika deities. 26.
Brahmaloka is indeed the abode of Lokantika deities.
Since the Lokantika deities are beyond worldly attachment, they are called Devarishis; because there is no hierarchy among them, they are all free. At the time of the Tirthankara's renunciation (household abandonment), they present themselves before him and uphold their conduct by addressing him with the words "Bujjha Bujjha." They reside only around the fifth heaven called Brahmaloka in all directions and areas; they do not dwell anywhere else. All of them, upon being expelled from there, take human birth and attain liberation.
Due to each direction, each area, and the central part accommodating one species each, there are a total of nine species of Lokantikas: in the northeast (Ishana corner) is Sarasvat, in the east is Aditya, in the southeast (Agni corner) is Vahni, in the south is Aruna, in the southwest (Nairitya corner) is Gardhato, in the west is Tushita, in the northwest (Vayavya corner) isavyabadh, in the north is Marut, and in the center is Arishta. The names of these beings, such as Sarasvat and others, are based on the names of their aerial vehicles (vimanas). However, there is the peculiar distinction that in the original commentary of these two sutras, only eight varieties of Lokantika deities are specified, not nine. The textual tradition of the Digambara sect also supports the count of eight.
In the printed book of the Royal Asiatic Society, the segment 'Arishtashcha' is placed in parentheses and not included in the sutra, while in the printed book by Mansukh Bhagu Bhai, this segment is published as part of the sutra in the form 'Rishtaashcha.' Although the original sutra of the Vetambara sect contains 'Arishtashcha', the commentary of this session does mention 'Sarinopattah Rishta Vimana Prastara Vati Bhi' etc. This could lead to an argument for 'Rishta' in place of 'Arishta.' However, in the Digambara sect, the last part of this session appears as 'avyabadharishtashcha.' This clearly indicates 'Arishta' here, not 'Rishta', and moreover, there is also no mention of 'Marut.'