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SUTRAKRITÂNGA.
The (Tirthakaras), being (as it were) the eyes of the world and its leaders, teach the path which is salutary to men; they have declared that the world is eternal inasmuch as creatures are (for ever) living in it, О ye men! (12)
The Rakshasas and the dwellers in Yama's world, the troops l of Asuras and Gandharvas, and the spirits that walk the air, and individual beings 2: they will all be born again and again. (13)
(The Samsara) which is compared to the boundless flood of water, know it to be impassable and of very long duration on account of repeated births 3. Men therein, seduced by their senses and by women, are born again and again both (as movable and immovable beings). (14)
The sinners cannot annihilate their works by new works; the pious annihilate their works by abstention from works; the wise and happy men who got rid of the effects of greed, do not commit sins. (15)
They know the past, present, and future ways of the world; they are leaders of other men, but follow no leader; they are awakened, and put an end to mundane existence. (16)
Averse to injury of living beings, they do not act, nor cause others to act. Always restraining them
1 Kâya. The commentators explain this word as denoting the earth-bodies, &c., but from the context it will be seen that it refers to Asuras and Gandharvas, and must be translated by 'troops.'
? Pudhô siyâ= prithak sritâh; according to Sîlanka, prithivyâsritâh. This expression is generally used to denote the lower order of beings.
8 To render bhavagahana.
