________________
APPENDIX No. 2. as Dòvas (Celestial Beings).
Celestial beings present a number of characteristics which are not met with in human beings.
The chief characteristics of celestial beings are —
Celestial beings are extremely beautiful, charming, and sportive. Their bodies are afeta Vaikriyaka-Subject to modifications at will,- lustrous, healthy, well-developed, and perfectly symmetrical They do not perspire. Their eyes are always steady; they do not twitch. Celestial beings are always young and sportive during their divine existence. They never suffer from infirmities of old age, and are therefore described as 371 Ajara, Not aging; ever young. They are not obliged to undergo various births and deaths during their existence of kota-koti years, and hence they are styled pac Amara, Immortal. Celestial beings are born by 599 Upapāta, Spontaneous rise in the G T12E Upapāta Sayyā, the bed covered with a divine cloth in their respective abodes and Vimānas, from which celestial beings take spontaneous rise. Within an period of twenty-four minutes soon after their birth, they attain youth and become perfectly matured. They are, then, given an invigorating bath by attending gods and goddesses, and dressed with costly garments and precious ornaments in the
TE FT Abhüşana Sabbā,- the Dressing and Ornament Hall-and they soon begin to indulge in the various divine amusements accompanied by musical instruments and dramatic performances by numerous celestial musicians and players in their various dancing-halls and pleasure-gardens. They become so deeply engrossed in the enjoyment of these
Jain Education International
For Private & Personal Use Only
www.jainelibrary.org