Dr. Samani Mangal Pragya
In Jain tradition, there is a belief that there are twenty six celestial abodes i.e. twelve heavens, nine graiveyakas and five anuttaravimānas (highest heavens). Vijaya, Vaijayanta, Jayanta, Aparājita and Sarvārthasiddha - these are the names of five anuttaravimāna i.e. highest celestial abodes. The worldly souls, who take birth in these five heavens due to the practice of higher forms of spirituality, are called as anuttaropapātikā. This text mentions about the people who have taken birth in these celestial abodes hence the name of the text is Anuttaropapātīkadaśā.
Structure and Contents
This is the ninth aṅga. It contains one śrutaskandha, three groups, three topics and three sub-topics etc.[1] Sthānāṅga mentions that it has ten chapters[2] and Samavāyāṅga indicates that it has ten chapters and three groups[3]. However, at present only three groups are available and the rest are lost.
Contents
In this text, there is a description about cities, gardens, temples, forests, heaven, samavasaraṇa, king, parents etc. of the people who were later born in anuttaropapātīka state of existence. Then, it also includes their futuristic birth in anuttara celestial abode and then the description of their birth in an aristocrat family as human, followed by their enlightenment and salvation.[4]
