俱舍論頌疏論本 9.12

9.12

Regarding "feeding on fragrance", this is the sixth topic, on what is eaten. The intermediate existence takes fragrance as food; because it feeds on fragrance, it is called a gandharva. If one has little merit, one feeds only on foul fragrances; if one has great merit, one takes exquisite fragrances as food. Regarding "not remaining long", this is the seventh topic, on duration of stay. The masters of the Vibhāṣā say: "This remains for a brief time; because all intermediate existences delight in seeking rebirth, they swiftly proceed to take rebirth and definitely do not remain long." Still other masters say it lasts at most forty-nine days. The Venerable Vasumitra says it lasts at most seven days. The Elder Dharmatrāta says the time has no fixed limit; as long as the conditions for rebirth have not coalesced, the intermediate existence perpetually persists; thus the intermediate existence of a wheel-turning king must wait until the human lifespan reaches eighty thousand years before suddenly yielding its fruit, because the World-Honoured One taught that the power of karma is inconceivable.