Acharya Hemchandra Krut Yogshastra Me Vrat Nirupan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Acharya Hemchandra krut Yogshastra me Vrat Nirupan," by Hemlata Jain:

This article, published in "Jinavani" on November 15 & 17, 2006, discusses the concept of Vrata (vows) as elaborated by the great Jain Acharya Hemchandra (11th-12th century) in his renowned work, the Yogashastra. Hemlata Jain presents a compilation of relevant verses from the Yogashastra with their Hindi translations, explaining the significance and principles of various vows.

The Yogashastra details several categories of vows: Panch Mahavrat (Five Great Vows), Trin Gunavrat (Three Guṇavratas or Secondary Vows), and Chatur Shikshavrat (Four Shikshavratas or Vows of Self-Discipline).

I. Panch Mahavrat (Five Great Vows): These are fundamental vows undertaken by Jain ascetics.

Ahimsa (Non-violence):
- Definition: Not to cause harm to living beings (both mobile - tiras and immobile - sthāvara) through negligence or intent.
- Principle: To consider all beings as oneself and not to inflict harm on others, recognizing that all beings desire happiness and dislike suffering.
Satya (Truthfulness):
- Definition: To speak truthful, pleasant, and beneficial words.
- Principle: Words that are unpleasant, harmful, or contrary to worldly acceptance, which betray trust, or lead to sin are not considered true speech, even if factually correct.
Achaurya (Non-stealing/Honesty):
- Definition: Not to take anything that is not given.
- Principle: Possessions are like external life-force for humans. Stealing them is like taking away their life. This includes not taking fallen, forgotten, lost, found, or intentionally placed items that belong to others.
- Consequences of Stealing: Stealing not only deprives one of material wealth but also destroys one's present and future lives, harms Dharma, erodes patience, disturbs peace, and leads to the destruction of intellect.
Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity):
- Definition: To renounce sensual pleasures related to divine beings (divya), humans (audārika), and animals (tiryañca) through mind, speech, and body, either by performing, causing to perform, or approving of such actions (18 types of renunciation).
Aparigraha (Non-possession/Non-attachment):
- Definition: To renounce attachment or possessiveness towards all things.
- Principle: Attachment (mūrchā) causes mental distress even for unattained or non-existent things.
- Consequences of Attachment: Attachment is the root cause of dissatisfaction, distrust, worldly pursuits (ārambha), and suffering. Therefore, one should control attachment to possessions.

II. Trin Gunavrata (Three Guṇavratas - Secondary Vows): These vows are observed by laypeople to strengthen the Mahavratas.

Digvirati Guṇavrata (Vow of Limiting Directions):
- Definition: To set boundaries for movement in all ten directions (East, West, North, South, Northeast, Northwest, Southwest, Southeast, Up, and Down) and not to transgress these limits, especially in relation to one's livelihood.
Bhoga-Upabhoga Guṇavrata (Vow of Limited Enjoyment and Use):
- Definition: To limit the consumption (bhoga) and repeated use (upabhoga) of objects according to one's capacity.
- Bhoga: Things consumed once, like food, flowers, perfumes.
- Upabhoga: Things used repeatedly, like clothes, ornaments, houses, beds.
Anarthadand Guṇavrata (Vow of Abstaining from Useless Harm):
- Definition: To renounce actions that cause harm without any purpose. This includes:
  - Engaging in distressful meditation (ārtadhyāna) and cruel meditation (raudradhyāna).
  - Giving harmful advice or teachings.
  - Donating instruments of violence to others.
  - Engaging in negligent or careless actions.
- Distinction: When these actions are for a specific purpose (related to body or possessions), they are called arthadanda. When done without purpose, they are anarthadanda, and their renunciation is this vow.

III. Chatur Shikshavrata (Four Shikshavratas - Vows of Self-Discipline): These vows are practiced to gradually cultivate the Mahavratas and Gunavratas.

Samayika Vrata (Vow of Equanimity):
- Definition: To remain in a state of equanimity for a period of one muhūrta (a specific duration of time), abstaining from harmful meditations (ārtadhyāna, raudradhyāna) and sinful actions (sāvadyakarma).
Deshavakāsika Vrata (Vow of Temporary Restriction of Area):
- Definition: To further restrict the previously set limits of movement (from the Digvirati Vrata) within a specific day or night.
Paushadha Vrata (Vow of Observance on Holy Days):
- Definition: To observe vows on specific holy days (Ashtami, Chaturdashi, Purnima, and Amavasya). This involves fasting, abstaining from sinful business dealings, and renouncing beautification practices like bathing, while also observing Brahmacharya.
Atithisamvibhāga Vrata (Vow of Distributing to Guests):
- Definition: To offer charity to deserving guests (monks and nuns) according to time and place. This includes the four types of food (food, drink, edible, chewable), as well as alms bowls, clothing, and shelter.

In essence, the article provides a concise overview of Acharya Hemchandra's teachings on vows within the Yogashastra, highlighting their definitions, underlying principles, and significance in the path of spiritual discipline in Jainism.