The Doctrine of the Jainas, Described after the Old Sources c9.55

c9.55

§112. The transition to the centre world is formed by the Vāṇamantara- (or Vantariya-) gods, for their seats are partly (Pannav. 95a) subterranean (§ 110), partly in the groves (Jambudd. 31a) summarized in § 116—in the so-called Long Veyaḍḍha hills (Jambudd. 72a) (§ 114) and (Jīv. 145a) on the intermediate continents (§ 116). In the acknowledged sequence they range between humans and star gods who belong to the centre world. In them we find the dogmatic reflection of popular spirits, ghosts and demons,¹ and it is characteristic, that in the Canon nothing special is being said as to their activities and numbers (¿ × 100,000, Viy. 601a). There were two sequences of Vāṇamantara kinds known, though at least by Umāsvāti T. 4, 12 one of them got the preponderance over the other. It is (Ṭhāṇ. 442b; Pannav. 95b) that of the Pisāya, Bhūya, Jakkha, Rakkhasa, Kinnara, Kimpurisa, Mahākāya (Ṭhāṇ. 161b 442b, Mahoraga), and Gandhavva with two princes each (Pannav. 97b). The other sequence has the Aṇavanniya, Paṇavaṇiya, Isivāiya, Bhūyavāiya, Kandiya, Mahākanduya, Kohaṇḍa (Ku-) and Payaṅgī, and here equally two names of princes² for each were invented (Pannav. 95b, comp. also Ṭhāṇ. 85a). Umāsvāti mainly quotes these Vāṇamantara as sub-groups of the former sequence (differently classified by him). That at least the Aṇavanniya enjoyed popularity is clearly proved by Viy. 498a. As to T. 4, 12 we also find specifications regarding their outward appearance which, except for the Rakkhasa, is a pleasing one; the colour is mostly of a dark shade (śyāma). The dwellings (bhomejja-nagara) are in the uppermost layer, the Rayaṇakaṇḍa, of the Kharakaṇḍa of Rayaṇappabhā, and, what is more, within the 800 joy. left both above and below after deducting 100 unoccupied joy. on either side. The largest among these dwellings are as large as is the Jambuddīva, the medium ones as large as Videha (§ 113), and the smallest are khetta-sama. Within them the Vāṇamantara lead a happy life, free from care and ageless (Dev. 75 f.).