ISJS Jainism Study Notes E5 Vol 02

Author(s): International School for Jain Studies
Publisher: International School for Jain Studies

Page 374

गय पर
Chapter 14.10 records the differences between the embodied perfect omniscient and the disembodied perfect souls in Mokşa. Chapter 12.2 reveals that since beginning-less time infinite souls have reached Moksa and will continue to do so in future, but still the world will never become empty of souls. Those who are subject to sensual pleasures tighten the knot of karmas, extend their duration, intensify them and wander endlessly in the worldly sojourn. Those who conquer the sensual pleasures and themselves attain Moksa and enjoy complete freedom and bliss. Chapter 12.9 tells us about five kinds of Gods and says that the Arhats who preach the eternal path of purification and emancipation and the siddhas who have attained Moksa are the Gods of the Gods and supreme redeemers.
Some other important Notes on the Bhagavati Sutra • Of all the Angas and Upāngas it is the most voluminous one exhaustive in contents. • The topics of living, non-living, universe and its constituents, different philosophical
concepts, etc are discussed in depth.
The minutest details of life, breath, food, genetics, etc are thoroughly analyzed. • The discussion about atom and the atomic theory are very scientific. • The topics discussed from different aspects reveal the Anekānta style of presentation. • Most of the enquiries were made by Gautama Ganadhara but we come across people of
other faiths who came and discussed freely with Lord Mahāvīra. Details of the various hells, heavens and celestial beings also figure here. Description of the plant-bodied beings, i.e. the vanaspati-jagat is made in chapters 11,
22, 23, etc. • A detailed description of Makkhaliputra Gośālaka is given in Sataka 15, of Jamāli in 9.33,
22, 11.9, 11.11, and 13.6. Details of the Karma Theory, the cause of influx of bondage etc give new insight on the topic. For the first time mangalācarana or salutation is found in the Arga literature in Bhagavati Sutra. The greatness and sublime features of ascetic life are extolled in many places. Bhagavati Sūtra is important for its contents of spirituality. A detailed analysis of Tapa i.e. austerities is made in Chapter 25.7 which includes the various divisions and subdivisions of fasting, expiation, scriptural study, meditation etc. These explanations give an insight of Jaina beliefs and practices.
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