47 Shaktiya Aur 47 Nay - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "47 Shaktiya Aur 47 Nay" by Hukamchand Bharilla, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: 47 Shaktiya Aur 47 Nay (47 Powers and 47 Nay/Standpoints) Author: Dr. Hukamchand Bharilla Publisher: Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust, Jaipur Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/007195/1

Overview:

This book, published by Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust, presents a detailed exposition of 47 fundamental "Shaktis" (powers/attributes) and 47 "Nay" (standpoints/perspectives) related to the nature of the soul (Jiva) as described in Jain scriptures, particularly drawing from the commentaries of Acharya Amritchandra on Acharya Kundakunda's works, Samaysar and Pravachansar.

The book is a distillation of the explanations found in the appendices of Acharya Amritchandra's commentaries, specifically the Atmkhyati commentary on Samaysar and the Tattvapradipika commentary on Pravachansar. While these topics were originally part of larger works, their separate publication in this accessible format aims to provide a more focused and understandable resource for spiritual seekers.

Core Concepts:

The book aims to clarify the multifaceted nature of the soul, which possesses infinite qualities and powers. The author explains that while the soul is an unbroken whole of infinite attributes, it is often referred to as "knowledge-only" (gnanmatra) because knowledge is its essential characteristic (lakshan). This emphasis on knowledge as the defining attribute serves to make the soul (the lakshya) recognizable through its characteristic (lakshan). The book clarifies that referring to the soul as "knowledge-only" does not negate its other inherent qualities but rather points to the ultimate essence and its distinguishing feature.

The 47 Powers (Shaktis):

The first major section of the book meticulously explains 47 powers inherent in the soul. These powers are described as parinamik bhavas, meaning they are intrinsic to the soul's nature and not dependent on external factors like karma. The book emphasizes that these powers manifest as pure, unadulterated spiritual experiences in enlightened beings, often referred to as "uprising powers" (uchhalti hui shaktiyan).

The 47 powers are categorized and explained in detail, with a focus on how they describe the soul's inherent capabilities and attributes. Some of the key powers discussed include:

Fundamental Powers of the Soul: Jivatva Shakti (power of being alive/soul-ness), Citi Shakti (power of consciousness), Drishi Shakti (power of perception), Gyan Shakti (power of knowledge), Sukh Shakti (power of bliss), Virya Shakti (power of strength/energy).
Powers related to Omniscience and Omniscience: Sarvadarshitva Shakti (power of seeing everything) and Sarvagyata Shakti (power of knowing everything).
Powers related to Purity and Manifestation: Svachchhatva Shakti (power of purity/clarity), Prakash Shakti (power of luminosity/manifestation), Asankuchit Vikasatva Shakti (power of uncontracted development).
Powers related to Causality and Transformation: Akarya Karanatva Shakti (power of not being a cause or effect), Parinamya Parinamakatva Shakti (power of being subject to and capable of transformation), Tyago-padan Shunyatva Shakti (power of being devoid of relinquishment and adoption).
Powers related to Equality and Contrast: Agurulaghutva Shakti (power of being neither heavy nor light, i.e., unchanging in essence), Utpad-Vyay-Dhruvatva Shakti (power of origination, decay, and permanence), Anantdharmatva Shakti (power of having infinite qualities), Viruddhadharamatva Shakti (power of possessing contradictory qualities).
Powers related to Being and Non-Being: Bhav Shakti (power of existence), Abhav Shakti (power of non-existence), and their various combinations.
Powers related to Action and Agency: Akartrutva Shakti (power of non-doership), Abhoktrutva Shakti (power of non-enjoyment), Nishkriyatva Shakti (power of inactivity).
Powers related to Space and Location: Niyatpradeshatva Shakti (power of having fixed spatial extent), Swadharma Vyapakatva Shakti (power of pervading one's own nature).
Powers related to Categories of Qualities: Sadharan-Asadharan Shakti (powers related to common and uncommon qualities).
Powers related to the Six Grammatical Cases: Karan Shakti (instrumental case power), Sampradan Shakti (dative case power), Apadan Shakti (ablative case power), Adhikaran Shakti (locative case power), Sambandh Shakti (genitive case power).
Other Significant Powers: Prabhuttva Shakti (power of sovereignty), Vibhuttva Shakti (power of pervasiveness).

The book elaborates on the nuances of these powers, often using analogies to make them understandable. It stresses that these powers are not mere concepts but the actual, inherent capabilities of the soul, which when fully realized, lead to liberation.

The 47 Nay (Standpoints):

The second major section delves into 47 "Nay," which are different perspectives or ways of understanding reality in Jain philosophy. These Nay are crucial for grasping the soul's true nature, which is an "anekantmay" (possessing multiple aspects) entity. The book explains that each Nay highlights a specific facet of the soul without negating others.

The 47 Nay are presented as ways to understand the soul's infinite qualities and attributes. They are derived from the discussions in the Pravachansar and help to analyze the soul's inherent characteristics from various angles. Key Nay discussed include:

Fundamental Nay: Dravya Nay (essence/substance standpoint) and Paryaya Nay (mode/attribute standpoint).
Nay related to Existence: Asti Naya (standpoint of existence), Nasti Naya (standpoint of non-existence), Asti-Nasti Naya (standpoint of existence and non-existence), Avaktavya Naya (standpoint of inexpressibility), and their combinations.
Nay related to Form and Formlessness: Vikalp Naya (standpoint of differentiation/classification) and Aviklap Naya (standpoint of non-differentiation/unity).
Nay related to Naming and Classification: Nam Naya (standpoint of name), Sthapna Naya (standpoint of establishment/representation), Dravya Naya (standpoint of substance as it truly is), Bhava Naya (standpoint of current mode/state).
Nay related to Generality and Specificity: Samanya Naya (standpoint of generality) and Vishesh Naya (standpoint of specificity).
Nay related to Permanence and Impermanence: Nitya Naya (standpoint of permanence) and Anitya Naya (standpoint of impermanence).
Nay related to Pervasiveness: Sarvagata Naya (standpoint of pervasiveness) and Asarvagata Naya (standpoint of non-pervasiveness).
Nay related to Emptiness and Fullness: Shunnya Naya (standpoint of emptiness/non-attachment) and Ashunnya Naya (standpoint of fullness/non-attachment in knowledge).
Nay related to Knowledge and the Known: GyanGeya Advaita Naya (standpoint of unity between knowledge and the known) and GyanGeya Dvaita Naya (standpoint of duality between knowledge and the known).
Nay related to Determinism and Indeterminism: Niyati Naya (standpoint of destiny/predetermination) and Aniyati Naya (standpoint of non-predetermination/free will).
Nay related to Intrinsic and Extrinsic Nature: Swabhav Naya (standpoint of intrinsic nature) and Aswabhav Naya (standpoint of extrinsic nature).
Nay related to Time: Kala Naya (standpoint of time) and Akala Naya (standpoint of timelessness).
Nay related to Effort and Fortune: Purushakar Naya (standpoint of self-effort) and Daiv Naya (standpoint of destiny/fortune).
Nay related to God and Non-God: Ishwar Naya (standpoint of a divine controller) and Anishwar Naya (standpoint of no divine controller).
Nay related to Qualities: Guni Naya (standpoint of possessing qualities) and Aguni Naya (standpoint of being devoid of qualities, i.e., pure essence).
Nay related to Agency: Kartru Naya (standpoint of doer) and Akartru Naya (standpoint of non-doer).
Nay related to Enjoyment: Bhoktru Naya (standpoint of enjoyer) and Abhorktru Naya (standpoint of non-enjoyer).
Nay related to Action and Knowledge: Kriya Naya (standpoint of action) and Gyan Naya (standpoint of knowledge).
Nay related to Convention and Reality: Vyavahar Naya (transactional standpoint) and Nishchay Naya (ultimate/absolute standpoint).
Nay related to Impurity and Purity: Ashuddh Naya (impure standpoint) and Shuddh Naya (pure standpoint).

The author elaborates on the meaning and application of each Nay, often using illustrative examples and analogies to explain complex philosophical concepts. The ultimate aim of understanding these Nay is to arrive at the correct perception of the soul, free from misinterpretations.

Key Themes and Purpose:

Understanding the Soul's Infinite Nature: The book is a guide to comprehending the soul's boundless potential and its inherent, unchangeable essence, as well as its ever-changing modes.
Reconciling Opposing Views: The 47 Nay are presented to show how seemingly contradictory attributes can coexist within the soul, a core tenet of Jainism (Anekantavada).
Practical Application for Spiritual Growth: By understanding these powers and standpoints, individuals can purify their perception, detach from worldly attachments, and progress on the path to liberation.
Accessible Presentation: Dr. Bharilla's style is noted for its simplicity and clarity, making profound Jain philosophy accessible to a wider audience. The book aims to be a "middle path" between overly concise academic explanations and overly lengthy discourses.

In essence, "47 Shaktiya Aur 47 Nay" serves as a comprehensive map to the soul's territory, detailing its intrinsic powers and the various viewpoints through which its true, multifaceted nature can be understood and realized.