Acharya Hastimalji Ki Agam Sahitya Ko Den - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text about Acharya Hastimalji's contribution to Agam Literature:

The text, "Acharya Hastimalji ki Agam Sahitya ko Den" by Udaychandra Jain, published by Z_Jinvani_Acharya_Hastimalji_Vyaktitva_evam_Krutitva_Visheshank_003843.pdf, highlights the profound and multifaceted contributions of Acharya Hastimalji to Jain Agam literature and the propagation of Jain principles.

Overall Persona and Vision:

Acharya Hastimalji is depicted as a wise and skilled gardener of the spiritual realm, nurturing individuals with knowledge and guiding them towards the righteous path. His thinking, spiritual practice, Agamic direction, and creative artistry continually offer fresh insights. He is presented as a great personality whose principles are characterized by deep contemplation, a desire for world welfare, and the fruit of spiritual nourishment. His unique vision of the Agams infused them with vibrancy and the brilliance of knowledge and science. His multi-dimensional personality encompasses life's depth, genuine experience, a continuous flow of spiritual essence, cultural study, and profound analysis of conduct and thought. He is a reference point for Agams, a connoisseur of history, and his immense scholarship has greatly aided the dissemination of right knowledge, particularly through Samayik (meditation/contemplation) and Swadhyay (self-study).

Contribution to Agam Literature:

Acharya Hastimalji acted as a successful messenger of the Tirthankaras' meanings and the Ganadharas' sutras, bringing them to the common consciousness. This made Agamic thought more accessible. Through various forms like songs, poems, stories, theoretical question-and-answer sessions, and discourses, he instilled the values of renunciation, religious devotion, and detachment in the minds of people, which is highly commendable. Being an expert in the essence of the Agams, he extensively wrote thousands of pages on the "Fundamental History of Jainism," drawing from Agamic sources. These works serve not only as lighthouses for Agamic knowledge but also as enduring pillars of history and radiant beacons of his early spiritual endeavors, illuminating the path for great souls for ages to come.

His contributions to Agam literature can be evaluated based on the following points:

Understanding and Dissemination of Agams: Acharya Hastimalji possessed the capacity to appreciate the essence of the Agams. When the Agams, considered the lifeblood of Prakrit language, became part of his thought process, he revealed their mysteries through his keen insight. He took steps to bring certain Agams to the masses with the intention of aiding those engaged in self-study. The benefit to lovers of self-study was immense, and the wealth of research material he provided for scholars is highly praiseworthy. His focus on creating commentaries that explained complex, Sanskrit-rooted principles and profound tenets is considered a significant achievement of his spiritual practice.
Core Agamic Themes: While summarizing the entirety of Agamic thought is difficult, his literature has provided considerable illumination. His core focus within the Agams can be understood through themes such as:
1. Spiritual practice in Agams
2. Divine stories from Agams
3. The essence of religious thought in Agams
4. The philosophical principles of conduct and thought in Agams
5. Didactic and inspirational passages from Agams
6. Philosophical moments in Agams
7. Historical facts in Agams
8. The history of Agams
9. Historical men and women
10. Mythological men and women
11. The key to spiritual practice
Furthermore, Acharya Hastimalji elucidated many literary, cultural, religious, philosophical, artistic, and scientific facts, clarifying the glorious narrative of India's culture and religion through the lens of the Agams.
Promoting Swadhyay and Making Agams Accessible: Acharya Hastimalji's primary motivation was to increase self-study. Therefore, he focused on bringing forth multifaceted Agamic texts. His works on the 'Brihatkalpa-sutra' and 'Siri Antagad-dasao' provided a new light of experience, aiding in the establishment of human virtues. Under his guidance, the 'Uttaradhyayana Sutra', which highlights the principal elements of education, teachers, self-study, Samayik, penance, renunciation, and right faith, became a respectable and preeminent work, embodying the essence of Lord Mahavir's final sermon: "Truth, Auspiciousness, Beauty." The detailed commentary on the 36 chapters of 'Uttaradhyayana' was presented in three volumes in simple national language, offering guidance to those engrossed in material pursuits.
Holistic Approach to the Uttaradhyayana Sutra: Acharya Shri, a wise thinker and motivator for self-study and Samayik, worked with the foresight of the Agams, aiming to connect religious policy, philosophical contemplation, right faith, and knowledge with life. He consistently strove to elucidate the meaning, essence, word analysis, and interpretation of the 'Uttaradhyayana Sutra'. The presented 'Uttaradhyayana Sutra' can be considered universally beneficial. Acharya Shri's comprehensive and subtle vision was for the benefit and happiness of many. He initiated the process of instilling human virtues in society through self-study and Samayik, which consequently increased interest in Agamic self-study. Beyond monks, laypeople also began to derive joy from sutras like 'Uttaradhyayana'. Each chapter of the 'Uttaradhyayana' initially reveals its mystery, allowing even ordinary self-students to benefit.

Contribution to Discourse (Pravachan) Literature:

His discourses, born from the depths of the heart, touch the soul, emphasize contemplation and practice, and are imbued with spiritual depth. The text quotes a verse stating that words of a virtuous person are radiant and pure like ghee-anointed fire, while those of a characterless person are dim and dark like a lamp without oil. Acharya Shri's exhortations are of the former kind, bringing forth the complete thought of the Agams. He emphasized that knowledge is a quality of the soul, and without knowledge, the purity of faith does not arise, urging listeners to engage in self-study to gain knowledge. The Agams served as the fundamental source for his discourses, which inspire contemplation on knowledge, action, character, penance, meditation, self-study, and Samayik.

Key themes from his discourses (often referencing "Gajendra Vyakhya" or "Gajendra. Pra." and "Uttaradhyayana" - U.) include:

Chaturmas (Four-month period): A means to purify faults, involving criticism, repentance, and renunciation.
Two Stages of Liberation: (1) Knowledge and (2) Action.
Bondage and Liberation: Knowledge is that which severs our bonds.
Humility (Vinay): The cause of knowledge, perception, and conduct. He outlines seven types of humility and lists those worthy of humility (Arhats, etc.).
Dharma (Righteousness): If wealth fulfills desires, Dharma fulfills liberation. He defines Dharma based on the 'Dashavaikalika' sutra.
Victory in Action and Conduct: Purity of conduct, thought, and diet.
Spiritual Necessities: Worship of the detachment-oriented religion, practice of non-violence, charity, self-control, etc.
Conduct for Inner Peace: The body is the realm of desire; use Dharma to quell desires.
Who is a Renunciate? Renunciation encompasses taking initiation, association with saints, service, and restraint of desires.
Influence of Sanskaras on Life.
"Kimah Bandhanam Veero" (Quote related to bondage).
What is Possessions (Parigraha)? Living and non-living possessions. Attachment is defined as possession.
Paths to Knowledge: (1) Listening and (2) Awakening experience. Knowledge is the means to discern righteousness, unrighteousness, truth, and untruth, and it is a quality of the soul.
Sangha (Community): The community of saints and nuns is also the army of the Jinshasan. He advocated for flowing the pure, nectar-like stream of Jinavani, which dispels suffering.

Contribution to Narrative Literature (Katha Sahitya):

His religious stories are described as deeply touching and thought-provoking, shaking the mind. He primarily used narrative discourses, drawing from Agamic theoretical narratives to reveal the mysteries of the Agams. He used examples like Prince Gautam and Ardkumar for attachment, and Chandana for penance, as well as stories of thieves and merchants.

Contribution to Poetic Vision:

He believed that thoughts are always written in some form. If thoughts become poetic, songs filled with religious, spiritual, and social sentiments awaken humanity. His poetic reflections are either contemplation-oriented, emotion-oriented, religion-oriented, or practice-oriented. Examples include prayers for good intellect, descriptions of the soul's immutable nature, and verses emphasizing non-violence, equanimity, and the importance of self-study. He also presented sayings like "Dislike sin, not the sinner" and encouraged limiting desires related to possessions.

Conclusion:

The text concludes by stating that Acharya Hastimalji, the vigilant guardian of the Agams, has revealed their mysteries universally. The essence of almost all Jain Agams is present in his thought. However, his practice of the Agams is particularly evident in his engagement with texts like the Acharanga Sutra, Sutrakritanga Sutra, Sthananga Sutra, Dashavaikalika Sutra, Uttaradhyayana Sutra, Nandi Sutra, and Kalpa Sutra.