Agam 09 Ang 09 Anuttaropapatikdasha Sutra English Translation

Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar
Publisher: Deepratnasagar

Page 10

AnuttaropapaatikDasha-Ang-09 - Varga-3, Chapter 1
the most difficult ascetic path. It depicts that the said person must have been highly conscious of spirituality, master of his decisions and saturated with the essence of detachment. From the very day of initiation, he decided to do two day fast and to break the fast with Ayambil through out his life. Thereafter, he thoroughly studied all the eleven Anga Sutras and after completing the study in the shortest possible time, he engaged himself in hard spiritual practices. The extremely weak physical health and the feeble state of his body have been described in a thought-provoking manner. The description is so lively that it inspires the reader and the listener to such an extent that he cannot help appreciating the spiritual practices of Dhanya Muni.
The similes used to explain the dried parts of the body of Dhanya Muni are wonderful and they bring before the reader a lively picture of the highly weakened physical state of that ascetic engaged in serious practices. In Indian literature, long ascetic practices and endurance for troubles in monks are mentioned at several places, but the manner in which every part of ascetic Dhanya's body and the similes used to describe them are unique. Such a heart-rending description is not available anywhere else. In Buddhist literature, in Mahasinghnad Sutra of Majjhim-nikaya, the entirely serious self-restraint of Mahatma Buddha has been narrated in a lucid manner. His physical body had become so weak that it looked like a bundle of woodsticks. It is heard that an idol of Buddha has been discovered in sitting posture and all of his joints and, nerves are so much protruding that they can be counted. His stomach is like a deep pit. It shows that the person who saw Dhanya Muni in flesh and blood described him correctly by appropriate similes. Further chapters mention the spiritual practitioners briefly. The scriptures have laid emphasis only on ascetic practices and penance. The narration has been made brief by referring to Megh Kumar, Jamali, Skandak Anagar and Thavachchaputra. All of them have been described in detail in Antakrid-dasha Mahima and can be studied therefrom.
Chapters (Adhyayanani) - 1 - Dhanya
[7] Meaning- Jambu Swami inquired of Sudharma Swami-"Bhante! I have grasped the meaning of the second Varg ofAnuttaraupapatik-dasha Sutra. Please tell me the meaningof the third Varg as narrated by Bhagavan Mahavir.
"Arya Sudharma said—"Jambu Bhagavan Mahavir had mentioned ten chapters in the third Varg ofAnuttaraupapatik-dasha Sutra. They are
[8,9] Meaning-(1) DhanyaKumar, (2) Sunakshatra, (3) Rishidas, (4) Pellak,(5) Ramputra, (6) Chandrik, (7) Prishtimatrik,(8) Pedhalputra, (9) Pottilla, (10) Vehalla.
[10] Meaning- "Jambu said "Bhante! If Bhagavan Mahavir mentioned ten chapters in Anuttaropapatik-dasha, what is the meaning of the first chapter?"
Sudharma Swami said-Jambu! At that time during that period, there was a town named Kakandi. That town was very prosperous and flourishing in trade. There was a Sahasraamra-Van garden which was always full of flowers and fruits (in all the seasons). King Jitshatru was the ruler of Kakandi.
In Kakandi a rich lady Bhadra was residing. She was prosperous, influential and commanded great respect in society.
Aagam - 09 - Anuttaropapaatik
Compiled by - Deepratnasagar