Bhagvati Sutra Part 05 - Book Summary

This summary is based on the provided text, which is Volume 5 of the Bhagvati Sutra, covering Shatakas (centuries) 13 to 17.

Overall Nature of the Bhagvati Sutra (as indicated by the "Nivedan" section): The Bhagvati Sutra is described as a vast ocean of gems, containing diverse insights presented through a question-and-answer format. This particular volume focuses on Shatakas 13 through 17.

Summary of Contents by Shataka (Century):

Shataka 13 (Pages 18-42):
- 10 Uddeshakas (Sections):
  - Uddeshaka 1: Describes the hellish realms (Naraka prithvis).
  - Uddeshaka 2: Discusses celestial beings (Devas).
  - Uddeshaka 3: Details the characteristics of hellish beings, such as their continuous consumption of food (Anantarāhāra).
  - Uddeshaka 4: Discusses aspects related to the Earth (Prithvigata).
  - Uddeshaka 5: Elaborates on the consumption of food by hellish beings and others.
  - Uddeshaka 6: Discusses the rebirth (Upapāta) of hellish beings.
  - Uddeshaka 7: Covers the nature of language (Bhasha).
  - Uddeshaka 8: Explains karma formations (Karma-prakriti).
  - Uddeshaka 9: Explores whether a spiritual practitioner (Anagar) with attained powers (Labdhi) can traverse the sky while holding a pot tied with a rope.
  - Uddeshaka 10: Deals with Samudghāta (a special spiritual phenomenon).
Shataka 14 (Pages 42-178):
- 10 Uddeshakas:
  - Uddeshaka 1: "Charama Uddeshaka" (Final section).
  - Uddeshaka 2: "Unmada Uddeshaka" (Related to madness or delusion).
  - Uddeshaka 3: "Sharira Uddeshaka" (About the body).
  - Uddeshaka 4: "Pudgala Uddeshaka" (About matter/substance).
  - Uddeshaka 5: "Agni Uddeshaka" (About fire).
  - Uddeshaka 6: "Kimāhāro Uddeshaka" (About what kind of food).
  - Uddeshaka 7: "Sanshlishta Uddeshaka" (Related to being joined or connected).
  - Uddeshaka 8: "Antara Uddeshaka" (About intervals or differences).
  - Uddeshaka 9: "Anagar Uddeshaka" (About spiritual practitioners).
  - Uddeshaka 10: "Kevali Uddeshaka" (About omniscient beings).
Shataka 15 (Pages 178-288):
- This Shataka is dedicated to the life and teachings of Goshala (Mankhaliputra), a contemporary of Lord Mahavir. It details his character, his followers, his debates, and his eventual downfall, often contrasting his superficial claims with the spiritual depth of Lord Mahavir. It covers topics like his self-proclaimed divinity, his interactions with various disciples, his encounters with Lord Mahavir, and the eventual fate of his followers.
Shataka 16 (Pages 288-400):
- 14 Uddeshakas:
  - Uddeshaka 1: Discusses "Āghāta" (impact) and the generation of air-bodied beings (Vāyukāya), and the state of fire-bodied beings (Agnikāya).
  - Uddeshaka 2: Discusses "Jarā" (old age) and "Shoka" (sorrow).
  - Uddeshaka 3: Deals with "Karma" (actions and their consequences).
  - Uddeshaka 4: Named "Jāvatiya" (concerning quantity or extent).
  - Uddeshaka 5: Mentions "Gangadatta Deva."
  - Uddeshaka 6: Deals with "Swapna" (dreams).
  - Uddeshaka 7: Focuses on "Upayoga" (consciousness/attention).
  - Uddeshaka 8: Discusses the nature of the "Loka" (universe).
  - Uddeshaka 9: Mentions "Balindra."
  - Uddeshaka 10: Deals with "Avadhi Jñana" (clairvoyance).
  - Uddeshaka 11: Mentions "Dwipa Kumara."
  - Uddeshaka 12: Mentions "Udhadhi Kumara."
  - Uddeshaka 13: Mentions "Disha Kumara."
  - Uddeshaka 14: Mentions "Stanita Kumara."
Shataka 17 (Pages 400-528):
- 17 Uddeshakas:
  - Uddeshaka 1: Related to "Āghāta" (impact).
  - Uddeshaka 2: Discusses "Dharmī, Adharmī, and Dharmādharmī" (concepts related to motion, rest, and their combination).
  - Uddeshaka 3: Discusses "Shaileshi Anagar" (a state of perfection).
  - Uddeshaka 4: Discusses "Kriyā" (actions).
  - Uddeshaka 5: Mentions the "Sudharma Sabha of Ishanendra."
  - Uddeshakas 6 & 7: About "Prithvikāya" (earth-bodied beings).
  - Uddeshakas 8 & 9: About "Apkāya" (water-bodied beings).
  - Uddeshakas 10 & 11: About "Vāyukāya" (air-bodied beings).
  - Uddeshaka 12: About "Ekendriya Jivas" (beings with one sense organ).
  - Uddeshakas 13-17: Discusses "Nāgakumāra, Suvarṇakumāra, Vidyutkumāra, and Agnikumāra Devas" respectively.

Publisher and Editor Information:

Publisher: Shri Akhil Bhartiya Sudharm Jain Sanskriti Rakshak Sangh, Jodhpur.
Editor: Pt. Shri Ghevarchandji Banthiya "Veerpatra" (Late Pandit Shri Veerputraji Maharaj).
The publication is part of the Sangh's "Agam Battisi" series.
Financial support for this volume was provided by Shri Jasvantlal Bhai Shah, Mumbai.

Corrections (Shuddhi-patra): The text includes a section listing corrections for printing errors found on specific pages and lines.

In essence, this fifth part of the Bhagvati Sutra delves into detailed philosophical and cosmological discussions within Jainism, covering various categories of beings, their states, karma, spiritual practices, and the structure of the universe as presented in the Jain tradition.