Aapna Mateni Bhavishyavani

This Jain text, titled "Aapna Mateni Bhavishyavani" (Predictions for You), authored by Priyam and published by Ashapuran Parshwanath Jain Gyanbhandar, draws from the original work "Shri Mahavircharit" by Shri Nemichandrasuri Ji. It aims to provide insight into one's future based on the principles of Jainism, emphasizing the profound connection between actions and their karmic consequences across various lifetimes.

The book begins by positing that while a supremely compassionate being (Parm Krupalu Parmatma) could see our next birth through the mirror of omniscience, it would be impossible to detail every being's future birth. Therefore, this being provided knowledge that encompasses the future births of all living beings, urging readers to partake in this "cream" of wisdom for their benefit.

The core of the text is a commentary on verses from the original scripture, outlining the causes and consequences of births in different realms (gatis).

Key themes and points discussed include:

• The Cycle of Karma and Rebirth: The text asserts that due to various types of karma, souls wander through the cycle of rebirth across four realms (hells, animal kingdom, human realm, and heavenly realms). Each soul experiences different states of existence based on its own karma.

• Causes of Birth in the Hellish Realms (Narak): Specific actions lead to rebirth in the hellish realms, with increasing severity of suffering and progression to lower hells for more egregious sins. These include:

  • Killing living beings.
  • Stealing others' wealth and women.
  • Extreme anger.
  • Being engrossed in violence and excessive possessions.
  • Criticizing ascetics.
  • Consuming meat.
  • Having wicked thoughts (likened to a predatory fish).
  • Disbelief in Jain teachings. The text further details which types of beings are more likely to reach specific hellish realms, from un-sentient beings to humans and animals.

• Causes of Birth in the Animal Kingdom (Tiryanch Gati): Souls who are immersed in "Artadhyan" (anguished contemplation) – worrying about what they desire, fearing what they dislike, regretting misfortune, or making transactional religious promises – are born in the animal kingdom. This includes beings from plants, water, fire, air, and vegetation, as well as insects, birds, and animals. Those who cause suffering to others, are deceitful, filled with attachment and ignorance, also enter this realm.

• Causes of Birth in the Human Realm (Manushya Gati): Souls who possess less anger, pride, deceit, and greed, are prompt in giving donations, are patient, humble, gentle, do not hurt others' feelings, and are naturally good and virtuous, are born as humans.

• Causes of Birth in the Heavenly Realms (Dev Gati):

  • Monks who follow the great vows (Mahavrat), laymen who are partially abstinent (Desavirat) or fully abstinent (Avirat), those devoted to Jin-worship and charity, those who perform penance out of ignorance, or endure hardship without desire, can attain heavenly births if they generate auspicious karmic bondage for heavenly lifespan.
  • The text specifies the levels of heavenly realms that different types of spiritual practitioners can reach.
  • It also notes that those who perform penance without right faith (Samyakdarshan), are extremely angry, proud of their penance, and quick to hold grudges, may be born in lower heavenly realms (Asura).
  • Suicidal acts (hanging, poisoning, drowning, starving) can lead to births in the lowest heavenly realms (Vyanter) if performed with auspicious intent at the moment of death.

• Gender Determination: Specific actions and qualities are linked to the determination of one's gender in the next birth. For instance, a virtuous woman free from deceit, with humility, good nature, little greed, forgiveness, truthfulness, and steadfastness, will be reborn as a male. Conversely, a man who falsely accuses others, lies, is fickle, acts without considering consequences, and deceives others, will be reborn as a female.

• Consequences of Cruelty and Harm:

  • Cruelty towards animals like horses, bulls, and donkeys, or overburdening and tormenting servants, leads to being born as a hunchback or with a deformed body.
  • Those who harm or mutilate living beings with sharp weapons, or cause them pain, suffer from many diseases. Conversely, those who show compassion remain disease-free.
  • Inflicting pain on living beings through burning, cutting, or wounding results in multiple diseases.
  • Those who disturb young animals or birds, separating them from their mothers, and those who inflict harm, will have children who do not survive, are born dead, die young, or are separated from their parents.
  • Those who cause harm to monks are born with missing fingers and are short in stature. Those who separate mothers and offspring will have their offspring be unstable, stillborn, or die prematurely.
  • Those who speak ill or falsely to those possessing penance and good conduct will have foul-smelling mouths. Those who kick such virtuous individuals will be born lame.

• Consequences of Dishonesty and Misconduct:

  • Those who engage in destructive activities like destroying beehives, setting fires, killing women, children, or trees, will be afflicted with leprosy.
  • Those who obstruct others from earning wealth, embezzle entrusted deposits, or are intent on stealing wealth, will be born poor.
  • Those who spread rumors, make false accusations, or speak ill of others will be born blind from birth.
  • Those who speak about things they haven't heard, spread irreligious teachings, gossip, and meddle in others' affairs, will be born deaf and mute.

• The Importance of Generosity and Devotion:

  • Those who generously offer lodging, seating, clothing, utensils, food, water, and medicine to monks will enjoy pleasant worldly pleasures in their next birth.
  • Conversely, those who do not give to monks despite having means, take back what they have given, prevent others from giving, or give inferior items, will not experience pleasant worldly pleasures.
  • Those who are devoted to Gurus and Gods, are humble, forgiving, speak gently, and are agreeable to all people, will be fortunate and have their desires fulfilled.

• The Power of Knowledge and Spiritual Practice:

  • Those who study, listen to, contemplate, teach, and impart the teachings of Jin-vachan (Jain scriptures), and are devoted to knowledge and the Guru, will be very intelligent in their next birth.
  • Those who disrespect and obstruct those endowed with penance and knowledge, or prevent them from learning and listening, will be very dull-witted.

• Concluding Message: The text concludes with two vital lessons for the soul (Atman):

  1. Our current circumstances are a result of our past actions. We should accept the fruits of our karma with equanimity. Complaining, crying, and making further negative karma will only multiply suffering.
  2. Our future is in our own hands. Our next birth, life circumstances, and quality of life are determined by our current actions in thought, word, and deed. We must be completely alert to this fact, more so than if we were under constant surveillance.

The author encourages readers to follow Jin-vachan as the ultimate nectar that ends all sorrow and suffering in the cycle of birth and death. The text is presented as a sample of the vast Jain teachings and urges readers to dedicate at least one hour daily to studying these scriptures to secure a bright future. The author concludes with a prayer for forgiveness if any of the writing is contrary to the teachings of the Tirthankaras.