Aavashyak Sutra Par Vyakhya Sahitya - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Aavashyak Sutra par Vyakhya Sahitya" by Devendramuni, based on the provided pages:

This text, an excerpt from "Jinavani," discusses the extensive commentary literature (vyakhya sahitya) written on the Aavashyak Sutra, a highly significant text in Jainism. The author, Acharya Shri Devendramuni, introduces this topic by referencing a preface he wrote for the Aavashyak Sutra published by the Agama Samiti, highlighting the importance of the various commentaries.

The article categorizes and explains the major works commenting on the Aavashyak Sutra:

1. Aavashyak Niyukti:

This is presented as the first of ten Niyuktis (a type of commentary) on Jain Agamas.
It is considered foundational for understanding other Niyuktis.
It begins with an introductory section (Upoḍghāta) of 880 verses and provides an extensive explanation of the five types of knowledge (Jñāna).
Following the discussion on knowledge, it elaborates on the six Āvashyakas (essential daily practices).
Samayika: This is the starting point of righteous conduct (Chāritra). It's crucial for liberation alongside knowledge. Those who are Shrutajñānīs (possessing knowledge of scriptures) are qualified for Samayika. The text details Samayika through 26 aspects (dvāras), including its purpose, origin, and the process of dispelling Mithyātva (false belief). It also recounts the past lives of Mahavira, the conduct of Kulakaras, and the life of Bhagwan Rishabhadeva, and discusses Nihnavas (heretics).
Namaskara Mahāmantra: The commentary begins with the Namaskara Mantra, analyzed from eleven perspectives: origin, placement, word, meaning, discourse, essence, objection, fame, order, purpose, and fruit.
Chaturvinsati Stava: The second chapter deals with the 24 Tirthankaras, examined through the six Nixeps (placement: name, establishment, substance, place, time, and mode).
Vandanā: The third chapter focuses on Vandanā (obeisance), discussing its synonyms (e.g., Kritikarma), who should perform it, by whom, when, how often, the degree of bowing, purification, and liberation from defects. It emphasizes that only an ascetic with excellent conduct and pure thoughts is worthy of Vandanā.
Pratikramaṇa: The fourth chapter defines Pratikramaṇa as the return of the soul to its original state after going astray due to negligence (pramāda). It explains synonyms like Parīharaṇā and Vāraṇā, using illustrative stories (e.g., Nāgadatta) to clarify their meanings. It also details 32 Yogas (methods) like Ālochanā and Niraplāpa, citing examples of prominent figures.
Kāyotsarga: The fifth chapter describes Kāyotsarga (standing motionless, abandoning the body), also known as Vyutsarga. It explains that some faults are rectified by Ālochanā, others by Pratikramaṇa, and some by Kāyotsarga. Kāyotsarga helps overcome bodily inertia, develop tolerance for pleasure and pain, and cultivate concentration through the contemplation of the twelve reflections (Anuprekshā). It warns against practicing Kāyotsarga beyond one's capacity and lists 19 faults associated with it, emphasizing that true mastery comes from transcending the identification with the body.
Pratyākhyāna: The sixth chapter analyzes Pratyākhyāna (renunciation) from six viewpoints: name, giver, what is renounced, assembly, method of declaration, and fruit. It outlines six types of Pratyākhyāna and six ways to achieve purity in it. Pratyākhyāna stops the influx of karma (āsrava) and leads to equanimity, karmic shedding (nirjarā), and ultimately, liberation. Qualified individuals for Pratyākhyāna are those who are not distracted or undisciplined.

The author of Aavashyak Niyukti is identified as Acharya Bhadrabahu. The Niyukti is said to extensively cover all regulations that make an ascetic's life radiant and includes historical facts.

2. Visheshāavashyak Bhāṣya:

Bhāṣyas are metrical commentaries in Prakrit that reveal the profound secrets of Niyuktis. They often use Magadhi and Shauraseni languages, with Arya being the primary meter.
This commentary includes ancient traditions, secular stories, and the practices of traditional ascetics.
The author is Jinabhadra Gaṇi Kṣamāśramaṇa, a distinguished figure in Jain history.
There were three Bhāṣyas on the Aavashyak Sutra: Mulabhāṣya, Bhāṣya, and Visheshāavashyak Bhāṣya. The latter two are more comprehensive and incorporate much of the earlier ones.
Visheshāavashyak Bhāṣya focuses solely on the first chapter, Samayika, and contains 3603 verses.
It discusses most important topics in Jain Agama literature, including Jñānavāda, Pramāṇavāda, ethics, Syādvāda, Nayavāda, and Karmavāda.
A key feature is its comparative analysis of Jain philosophical principles with other philosophical systems and a logical examination of Jain scriptural tenets. It is considered essential for understanding the deep meanings of the Agamas.
It analyzes Āvashyak through the Nixeps, differentiating between material (Dravya-Āvashyak) and substantive (Bhāva-Āvashyak) forms. Examples are given to illustrate different levels of textual understanding (e.g., Rajaputra Kunala, Vidyadhara, child). The concept of non-worldly Dravya-Āvashyak is explained using the analogy of a pseudo-ascetic (Sādhvabhāsa).
On Samayika, it states that equanimity is its characteristic. Just as sky is the basis for all substances, Samayika is the basis for all virtues. It divides Samayika into three types: philosophical, knowledge-based, and conduct-based. It describes four "doors" to understanding Samayika: initiation (upakrama), placement (nixep), progression (anugama), and perspective (naya). It asserts that Samayika cannot be attained if one has the highest states of all eight karmic inclinations, nor can it be achieved or maintained due to the rise of passions (kashāya). Samayika involves the renunciation of sinful actions (sāvadya yoga) and can be temporary (itvara) or for life (yāvatkathika). The Bhāṣyakāra elaborates on different types of conduct like Samayika, Chhedopasthāpanā, Parihāraviśuddhi, Sūkṣmasamprāya, and Yathākhyāta.
The text details Samayika through 26 aspects, encompassing all significant points related to it. It discusses the doctrine of Nihrava extensively and concludes with an analysis of the original verses of the Samayika sutra.
Visheshāavashyak Bhāṣya is considered Jinabhadra's final work, and his incomplete commentary on it was finished by Kotyacharya. Jinabhadra's lifespan is estimated to be around 650-660 CE.

3. Chūrṇi Literature:

After Niyukti and Bhāṣya, Jain scholars felt the need for prose commentaries (gadyātmaka vyākhyā) on Agamas, written in pure Prakrit or Prakrit mixed with Sanskrit.
Jindas Gaṇi Mahattara is a prominent figure in this genre, having written seven Chūrṇis, including the important Aavashyak Sutra Chūrṇi.
This Chūrṇi follows the Niyukti and occasionally uses verses from the Bhāṣya. The language is primarily Prakrit, with citations from Sanskrit verses and prose. The style is fluid, elegant, and powerful, rich in historical narratives.
It examines Āvashyak from the perspective of scriptural knowledge (Shruta jñāna) through Nixeps, discussing material and substantive Āvashyak. It recounts the past lives of Mahavira, his sufferings (upasarga), and the doctrine of Nihrava.
It explains the variations of Samayika from the perspective of substance and perspective (Dravya paryāya, Nayadṛṣṭi), its possessor, the scope of its attainment, time, direction, the performer, and the reasons for its attainment, using numerous examples of virtuous individuals. It emphasizes the importance of equanimity with examples.
The fourth chapter defines Pratikramaṇa from three perspectives: the one who performs it, the act itself, and what is to be repented. It discusses various aspects of Pratikramaṇa with examples and elaborates on faults (atichāra) in daily conduct like eating, speech, thought, and practices such as meditation, vows, and committees.
Kāyotsarga is divided into two types: auspicious and inauspicious, and then further into nine types. It touches upon the praise of scriptures and the Siddhas, and the method of seeking forgiveness.
The Aavashyak Chūrṇi is a significant work, elaborating on all topics covered in the Aavashyak Niyukti and including the lives of many mythological and historical figures, which are of great historical and cultural importance.

4. Ṭīkā Literature:

Ṭīkā literature provides etymological explanations and interpretations of Agama words (Niyukti) and elaborates on their profound meanings (Bhāṣya). Chūrṇi literature attempts to explain obscure meanings through folk tales, while Ṭīkā literature offers philosophical analysis.
Ṭīkākāras (commentators) utilized earlier works and added new reasoning to strengthen their arguments.
Acharya Haribhadra is a prominent Sanskrit commentator (757-827 CE). He wrote a commentary (Vritti) on the Aavashyak Niyukti. Scholars believe he wrote two commentaries on the Aavashyak Sutra, with one being more extensive but currently unavailable.
His Vritti explains the 23 aspects of Samayika etc., as per the Niyukti, elaborating on points mentioned concisely in the Niyukti and Chūrṇi. It also discusses the entire verses of Dhyānaśataka in the context of meditation. This work is called Shishyahitā and is approximately 22,000 verses long.
Kotyacharya completed the incomplete Sva-opajña Bhāṣya of Acharya Jinabhadra and wrote a new commentary on Visheshāavashyak Bhāṣya. Acharya Malayagiri is also mentioned as a significant commentator who wrote Aavashyak Vivaraṇa on the Aavashyak Niyukti. This commentary is incomplete but provides detailed analysis of auspicious beginnings and their utility, explaining the Niyukti verses in a simple style. It summarizes the verses of Visheshāavashyak Bhāṣya without independent commentary and mentions other scholars and works.
Acharya Malayagiri was a highly talented and knowledgeable scholar who wrote Aavashyak Vritti Pradeshavyākhyā on Acharya Haribhadra's commentary, also known as Haribhadriyāavashyak Vṛttitíppanaka. His disciple also wrote a commentary on this.
Acharya Malayagiri's second commentary on Visheshāavashyak Bhāṣya is Shishyahitā, a very comprehensive work that explains all the themes from the Bhāṣya in a simple and accessible manner, even when dealing with philosophical discussions.
Other scholars like Jinabhatta, Manikyshekhar, Kulaprabha, and Rajavallabha also wrote commentaries.

The text concludes by mentioning commentators from different centuries, including Nami Sadhu (1122 CE), Shri Chandrasuri (1222 CE), Shri Jñānasāgara (1440 CE), Dhira Sundara (1500 CE), Shubhavardhanagiri (1540 CE), Hitruchi (1697 CE), and Shri Ghasilala Ji Maharaj (1958 CE).

Finally, it notes the shift from Ṭīkā to simpler commentaries called Stabaka or Ṭabbā written in vernacular languages for common people. Dharmasinha Muni's Bālābodha Ṭabbā on 27 Agamas are mentioned. The subsequent era of translation followed, with translations available in English, Gujarati, and Hindi. The article concludes by mentioning research-oriented works and research papers in Hindi on the Aavashyak Sutra by scholars like Pandita Sukhalala Ji Singhvi and Upadhyaya Amaramuni Ji.