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390
SÚTRAKRITÂNGA.
These beings (animating trees) come into existence because of their Karman; so we are taught (by the Tirthakaras, &c.) (2)
And again it has been said of old : some beings born in trees, originated by trees, sprung from trees, (&c., as in § 1, down to) springing from trees that originated in earth, come forth as trees originated by trees. These beings feed on the sap of the trees originated in earth, (&c., all as in § 2, down to the end). (3)
(In the same way, and in nearly the same words, the offshoots of the trees mentioned in the preceding paragraph are treated of.) (4)
And again it has been said of old : some beings born in trees, (&c., all as above, down to) growing in trees, that are originated by trees, come forth as their roots, bulb, stem, branches, twigs, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds 2. These beings feed on the sap of those trees originated by trees, (&c., all as in § 2, down to) and the bodies of the roots, bulb, stem, &c. are of manifold colours, (&c., all as in § 2, down to the end). (5)
(The four paragraphs that come next, 6-9, are identical with the preceding ones, except that 'creeper 3' is substituted for tree.') (6-9)
(In the same way 'grass 4' is treated in four paragraphs, but the whole is much abridged; then
Apparently trees sprung from shoots, sprouts, aerial-roots, &c. are meant. They are considered as a class different from those whose offshoots they are.
2 One soul, giva, pervades the whole tree: it is the soul of the tree. Separate gîvas, however, reside in the roots, &c.
8 Agghôruha=adhyârôha, explained in the Dîpikâ: vallivriksha.
4 Trina.
