Agam 03 Ang 03 Sthananga Sutra Part 02

This document is the second part of the Sthananga Sutra, one of the foundational scriptures of Jainism. It is the third book within the Anga (limb) category of the Jain Agamas, specifically cataloged as Agam 03, Ang 01, Sthananga Sutra. The first part was published previously. This second part contains the fourth, fifth, and sixth chapters (adhyāyanas) of the Sthananga Sutra, along with the extensive commentary by Ācārya Sri Abhayadev-Sūri Mahārāja. The text has been critically edited by Muni Jambūvijaya, a disciple of Munirāja Śrī Bhuvanavijayajī Mahārāja.

The publication is brought out by Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya in Mumbai. The first edition was released in Vir Samvat 2529 / Vikram Samvat 2059 / AD 2003, with 500 copies printed and priced at Rs. 550.00.

The book's initial pages (1-19) provide extensive introductory material, including:

• Publisher's Note (Prakashkiya Nivedan): This section details the history and purpose of the Jain Agama Series publication project initiated by Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya. It highlights the importance of the Agam Sutras as the collection of Lord Mahavir Swami's teachings and the value of their in-depth study for understanding Jainism's pure form and its path to liberation. It also gratefully acknowledges the guidance and continuation of the project by Muni Jambūvijaya after the passing of Muni Shri Punyavijayji Mahārāja, the primary inspiration for the series.
• List of Published Agama Texts: A comprehensive list of previously published Agama texts by Shri Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya is provided, indicating the ongoing commitment to this monumental task.
• Biographies of Revered Acharyas: The book includes detailed biographical sketches of the lineage of influential Jain Acharyas:
  • Ācārya Śrī Vijay Siddhisurīśvarjī (Bapji) Mahārāj: Described as a dedicated practitioner of both external and internal penance, detached from fame, and revered for his longevity and austerity.
  • Ācārya Śrī Vijay Meghsūrīśvarjī Mahārāj: The successor of Ācārya Śrī Vijay Siddhisurīśvarjī, highlighting his birth, initiation, and spiritual journey.
  • Munirāja Śrī Bhuvanavijayajī Mahārāja: The revered guru of the editor, Muni Jambūvijaya, whose blessings and guidance are acknowledged. His life, initiation, and eventual passing at Shankheshwarji Tirth are mentioned.
  • Ācārya Śrī Vijayvallabhsūrīśvarjī Mahārāj: A notable Acharya in the lineage.
  • Muni Śrī Punyavijayjī Mahārāj: Appreciated for his contribution to Agama research and publication.
  • Sadhvī Śrī Manoharshriji Mahārāj: Mentioned as a disciple of Sadhvī Śrī Labhashriji and her spiritual influence.
• Guru Stuti (Prayer to the Guru): A heartfelt prayer by Muni Jambūvijaya to his guru, Munirāja Śrī 1008 Bhuvanvijayji Mahārāja, expressing profound gratitude for his teachings, guidance, and the spiritual nurturing that led to Muni Jambūvijaya's own renunciation and spiritual path.
• Aamukh (Preface) and Foreword: Written in Sanskrit and English respectively, these sections reiterate the importance of the Sthananga Sutra, the commentary by Ācārya Abhayadev-Sūri, and the editorial efforts of Muni Jambūvijaya. They also mention the structure of the Sthananga Sutra being divided into ten Adhyāyanas and published in three parts, with this volume being the second. The preface also notes the existence of manuscript variations and the challenges of textual comparison.
• Table of Contents (Vishayanukram): A detailed index of the contents of the Sthananga Sutra, specifically listing the topics covered in the fourth, fifth, and sixth Adhyāyanas, and the extensive appendices.

The core of the document is the Sanskrit text of the Sthananga Sutra (Sthānāṅgasūtram), specifically Part II, comprising the Fourth Adhyayana (Chatuhsthānaka), Fifth Adhyayana (Pañcasthānaka), and Sixth Adhyayana (Ṣaṭsthānaka).

Key Themes and Content:

The Sthananga Sutra, as indicated by its title and the content of these chapters, focuses on classification and categorization. The text is known for its methodical enumeration of Jain concepts. This part of the Sthananga Sutra, with Abhayadev-Suri's commentary, delves into detailed classifications within the Jain tradition. Based on the chapter titles and general content found in such texts:

• Chapter IV (Chatuhsthānaka): This chapter likely deals with concepts that are classified into four categories (Chatuh). The provided text snippets show discussions about different types of final liberation (antakriyā), classifications of trees and individuals based on characteristics like 'unnat' (high/elevated) and 'praṇat' (bent/humble), different types of lies, purity of garments, purity of mind, types of anger, types of merchants, types of hellish beings, different kinds of conduct, various classifications of causes for suffering and happiness, conditions for rebirth, types of speech, types of afflictions, types of causes for suffering, classifications of virtues, classifications of monks and nuns, types of minds, different kinds of spiritual paths, types of resolutions, classifications of karma, types of afflictions, classifications of teachers and disciples, types of vices and virtues, classifications of living beings based on their characteristics, and types of speech and conduct.
• Chapter V (Pañcasthānaka): This chapter focuses on concepts classified into five categories (Pañca). The content includes the five great vows (mahāvrata) and five minor vows (aṇuvrata), different kinds of knowledge (jñāna), types of beings in different realms (naraka, tiryag, manuṣya, deva), types of lifespan, types of karmas, classifications of ascetics ( Muni), types of ascetic practices (tapas), types of purity (śuddhi), types of conduct (ācāra), types of renunciations, types of ascetics in Jainism, and classifications of beings based on their senses and actions.
• Chapter VI (Ṣaṭsthānaka): This chapter deals with concepts classified into six categories (Ṣaṭ). The content includes different types of impurities, different states of mental purity and impurity, types of suffering and happiness, types of karma and their causes, types of sins and virtues, different classifications of monks and nuns, types of ascetics, types of conduct, spiritual practices, austerities, purity, righteousness, renunciation, and the states of existence and liberation.

The commentary by Ācārya Abhayadev-Sūri is highly valued for its scholarly depth and its reliance on ancient manuscripts. The meticulous editing by Muni Jambūvijaya, along with the support of assistants like Muni Rajshri Dharmachandra and others, ensures the authenticity and accessibility of this crucial Jain text. The publication itself is a testament to the dedication of the Mahavir Jain Vidyalaya in preserving and disseminating Jain scriptures.

In essence, this part of the Sthananga Sutra provides a highly structured and detailed exploration of Jain principles, classifying various aspects of existence, conduct, and spiritual development into sets of six, five, and four, often illustrating these classifications with examples from Jain cosmology, history, and ethical teachings. The commentary offers scholarly insights into the nuances and etymologies of these classifications.

The document also features devotional pages at the beginning, showing reverence to various Tirthankaras and Jain deities, reflecting the spiritual context of the text. The lineage of Acharyas and Munis involved in the publication highlights a strong tradition of scholarship and devotion within Jainism.