Doctrine of Jainas

SR No.: 011097
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Walther Shubring, Wolfgang Beurlen
Publisher: Motilal Banarasidas
Publication Year: 1978
Total Pages: 309
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 17 MB

Page 251

COSMOGRAPHY
235
stars represent the retinue of a princely couple, the moon and the sun, consisting (Jambudd. 521b) of 88 planets, 28 nakşatras and 66,975 times 1014 (1e. 1 kodakođı) of fixed stars. Among all of them we shall see but the naksatras stand out, since they are important for dividing up the year. The planets (gaha) with Ingālaga ranging first are enumerated but annexwise by Sūrap. 294b, while Jambudd. 532b does so in a more casual way Six of these planets, i e. Sukka (Venus), Buha (Mercury), Bahassai (Jupiter), Angāraga (Mars), Saniccara (Saturn), and Ketu are comprised by Thān. 354a as tāraggaha, to which Sth. remarks that the common number of nine is made up by adding the moon, the sun, and Rähu. Of the different fixed stars, the polar star in special, we hear nothing. Now, acc to Jambudd. 495b, the 28 naksatras are called as follows. Abhiī, Savana, Dhanitthā, Sayabhisayā, (5) PuvvaBhaddavayā (Potthavayā); Uttara-Bh (P.), Revai, Assinī, Bharani (10) Kattiyā; Rohinī, Magasira (Sûrap 132a. Samthānā), Addā, Punnavvasū, (15) Pussa (Pūsa); Assesā (Asilesā), Mahā, Puyva-Phaggunī, Uttara-Ph, (20) Hattha; Città Sãi, Visāhā, Anurāhā, (25) Jetthā, Mūla, Puvv'Āsādhā, Uttar' Ās. The beginning with Abhıs in the first month of the rainy season is expressly stated by Sūrap. 93b (96a is correct) as against other authors who start with Kattiyā, Mahā, Dhanıtthā, Assini, or Bharani. In the Sūrap. we are told the design formed by each individual naksatra as well as the number of its stars which is between 1 and 7 (this partly also in Thān. 99a, 178a, 289a, 351b, 379b, 414b), and that each has a deity and a gotra of its own. Important occurrences in the life of a Titthagara happen in the sign of one and the same naksatra, comp. Āyär. II, 15, 1, Jinac, 149, 170, 204, Thān. 307a. By consulting also some later Svet-and Dig.-writings KIRFEL in his Kosmographie, p. 278 ff. has given a detailed description of the Jain Astronomy.
$127. If the altitude of the sun (and of all different kinds
1. Those just mentioned go together with moon and sun as mahaggaha (Thān 429 b)
2. Comp also S. R DAS IHQ.8, 30-42.