Agam 05 Ang 05 Bhagvati Vyakhyaprajnapti Sutra Part 02 Sthanakvasi

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

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PREFACE
Shri Bhagavati Sutra is the most precious gem in the golden casket of Jain Agams. It is the most voluminous among the available Agams. With its great variety of subjects and interesting narration, it is the largest ocean of knowledge. The complete and vivid discussions of various branches of general and specialized knowledge available in this Agam enhances its value and importance.
I have already written in details about Bhagavati Sutra in the preface to the first Volume, therefore, there is no need to repeat it here.
This volume starts with fifth Shatak and ends at the first Uddeshak of the eighth Shatak.
The fifth Shatak starts with the discussion about sunrise, sunset and the movement of the sun. This is one of the disputed topics according to modern science. But Indian astrology and religions accept the movement of the sun in the space. All events including sunset, sunrise, and eclipse occur exactly as predicted by calculations on this basis. Thus these beliefs cannot just be discarded as false. However, we have avoided any discussion on the disputes and presented the beliefs as mentioned in Agams. Many other topics in this Shatak are valuable in context of the contained original ideas and information on metaphysics, biology and acoustics. The edifying discussion on ultimate particles and their clusters provides new and important information related to modern particle physics. The information Bhagavan Mahavir revealed about ultimate particles with the help of his direct perception reveals interesting facts that may enrich the world of science.
The sixth Shatak is specially important for ontological discussions and for the karma theory. The topic of extensive suffering and extensive shedding of karmas is inspiring and revealing from the spiritual viewpoint. If tolerance and equanimity is attained while suffering pain and affliction, even extreme agony becomes tolerable and highly rewarding in terms of shedding of karmas. This philosophy of equanimity reduces the intensity of suffering torments and enhances the capacity to tolerate. While indulging in self study this chapter and the subject of tolerance dealt in it call for special attention.
The description of Tamaskaaya in the first Uddeshak of the sixth Shatak has surprising similarities with the black hole described in modern astronomy. In the ancient Indian literature this description of Tamaskaaya is unique to Jain scriptures. Comparison with black holes adds to the genuineness of this description.
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