Agam 05 Ang 05 Bhagvati Vyakhyaprajnapti Sutra Part 01 Sthanakvasi

Author(s): Amarmuni, Shreechand Surana
Publisher: Padma Prakashan

Page 33

F1 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 41 4141414141414141414141414141414141414141414141 which, however is soundly based on the Buddha's well-known stern i refusal to consider a great many question that occupied his contemporaries. Because of his systematic approach to all these questions, Mahavira has, I think, rightly been called 'the most versatile thinker we know of in ancient India'.
These views of renowned western scholarly researchers provide true evaluation of the depth and eminence of the wealth of general and specialized knowledge contained in Bhagavati Sutra.
This Agam contains numerous important topics including science of movement (dynamics and rebirth), transmutation into a variety of forms by elevated souls, relationship of food intake and creation of numerous fi forms, transmutation into thousands of clones by Chaturdash-purvi (scholar of fourteen Purvas), movement in the sky by elevated souls, respiration of earth-bodied and other immobile life forms, presentation of the Gatipravad chapter, area of darkness (krishnaraji), body of darkness (tamaskaya), movement of ultimate particles and 4 telecommunication. All these deserve study from scientific angle. UNIQUE STYLE OF ELABORATION
Bhagavati Sutra has been composed in question-answer style. The main questioner is Ganadhar Indrabhuti Gautam, the chief disciple of Bhagavan Mahavir. Other than him are Makandiputra, Roha Anagar, Ganadhar Agnibhuti and Ganadhar Vayubhuti. Sometimes many Parivrajaks, including Skandak, Tapasas and ascetics from Parshva tradition also appear as questioners. On occasions people from other schools too come for debate or removing doubts. Contemporary Shramanopasaks (lay Jains) including females like Jayanti seek answers to their questions. As it is compiled in question-answer style, it becomes repetitive at places. However, it is unavoidable for a propounder of a doctrine because he has to provide the background material in order to clear a doubt.
Another thing is that the subjects dealt in Bhagavati Sutra do not follow any preconceived specific order. Neither the compilation of questions asked by Gautam Ganadhar follow a predetermined pattern. As a reader studies Bhagavati Sutra he will automatically realize that as and when Gautam Ganadhar had a doubt or his curiosity was inspired by any statement by or incident related to people of his own school or other, he at once approached Bhagavan Mahavir and humbly presented it in the form of a question. True to his job, Sudharma Swami compiled the text in the same order and form. Thus the apparent disorder is not a fault but an evidence of its authenticity.
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