________________
Notes Bk. V
339
the various winds. First, they blow. because such is their inherent nature ; second, they blow when they change from gross to fluid ; and third, they blow when the Vāyukumāras make them blow. The original body (müla sarira) of the air-bodies is gross, which, when changed into fluid becomes uttara-sarira. When such wind blows, it is called uttara-kriya or uttara-vaikriya.
An alternative explanation given is : of the four winds, the first three blow because of their inherent nature ; the second, third and fourth blow when they transform into a fluid body ; and all the four blow when they are made to do so by the Vāyukumāra gods.
9. The details which are contained in Book Two (supra) may be stated in brief :
Air-bcdies inhale and exhale air, but not air-bcdies. In other words, the air they breathe in and out is not living air. It is without life. They die and are born several hundred thousand times among the air-bodies. They die when they are hurt, and when they die, their caloric and karman bodies go out with them, but their gross and fluid bodies are left behind.
10. The details in the Jivābhigama Sūtra are as follows:
Q. Bhante! What is the shape of the Salt Sea ?
A. Gautama! It is circular like gotīrtha, a boat, an oyster, horse's neck or balathi.
Q.' Bhante! What is the circumference of the Salt Sea. its length, breadth, depth, height and its foremost point ?
A. Gautama! Its circumference is 2,00,000 yojanas, its length is slightly more than 15,81,139 yojanas, its depth 1.000 yojanas and its height is 16,000 yojanas. Its foremost point is 17,000 yojanas.
