Studies in the Bhagavati Sutra

Author(s): J C Sikdar
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 397

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STUDIES IN THE BHAGAWATI SŪTRA
Ch. Vi
of seventeen muhūrtas, it becomes the night of thirteen mukūrtas ; when it becomes the day of little less than seventeen muhurtas, it becomes the night of little more than thirteen muhurtas and so on.
In the southern and northern hemispheres of Jambūdvīpa there occurs the shortest day of twelve muhurtas simultaneously. When in the northern hemisphere it becomes the day of twelve muhurtas, then it becomes the longest night of eighteen muhürtas to the east and west of Mandara mountain in Jambūdvi pa ; when it becomes the shortest day of twelve muhurtas to the east of Mandāra mountain, there becomes the longest night of eighteen muhūrtas in the northern and southern hemispheres of Jambidvīpa.
Next, the Bhs deals with the question of different seasons and its divisions according to different regions, e. g., when in Jambūdvīpa in its southern hemisphere it becomes the first time of the rainy season, then in its northern hemisphere also it becomes the first time of the same season, when in the northern half the first time of the rainy season approaches, then there becomes also the first time of this season having an interval of one Samaya in the region lying to the east and west of Mandāra mountain and so on."
The BhS explains the rising and setting of the suns, the occurrence of day and night, the passing of time, etc., in different regions of the world, such as, Lavana.Samudra, Dhātakżkhanda, Kalodadhi, Abhyantara Puskarārdha, etc., like the account of Jambūdvīpa.
Causes of the longest day and shortest night and viceversa, and of equal day and night.
The BhS explains the cause of the longest day or night and that of the shortest day or night, and also those of equal day and night in the year.
There is the longest prahara of four and a half muhūrtas of day or of night and the shortest prahara of three muhūrtas of day or of night.
"BhS, 5, 1, 177.
? 16, 5, 1, 178.
8 16, 5, 1, 179.