Agam 03 Ang 03 Sthananga Sutra Stahanakvasi - Book Summary

Based on the provided text, here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text:

Book Title: Agam 03 Ang 03 Sthananga Sutra Author(s): Madhukarmuni, Shreechand Surana Publisher: Agam Prakashan Samiti Catalog link: https://jainqq.org/explore/003440/1

This text, identified as the third Anga (part) of the Jain Agamas, is the Sthananga Sutra, compiled by Bhagavat Sudharma Swami, the fifth Ganadhara of Lord Mahavir. The edition provided is the third edition, published in January 2001 by Shri Agam Prakashan Samiti, Beawar, Rajasthan. It is dedicated to the memory of the revered Guru Shri Joravarmalji Maharaj and includes the original text, Hindi translation, explanation, annotations, and appendices.

The Sthananga Sutra is a foundational text in Jainism, systematically enumerating and classifying various concepts, entities, and principles of Jain philosophy and practice. The title "Sthananga" itself suggests a categorization based on "places" or "positions," indicating a systematic enumeration of subjects.

The provided pages offer a preface, acknowledgments, a dedicatory message, and importantly, the introductory and foundational sections of the Sutra, primarily focusing on the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Sthanas (chapters/sections). The content delves into a wide range of subjects, often presented in a numerical or categorical manner, particularly emphasizing the number four, but also mentioning one, two, and three.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and content covered in the provided text:

I. Introduction and Context (Pages 1-18):

Dedication: The publication is dedicated to the memory of Guru Shri Joravarmalji Maharaj, highlighting his contributions to Jainism, particularly in promoting the study and propagation of Agamas, and establishing the 'Swadhyay Sangha' to revive the practice of self-study and penance.
Publisher's Note: Acknowledges the continuous effort of Agam Prakashan Samiti in publishing Jain Agamas, with this being the third edition of the Sthananga Sutra. It laments the demise of the translator-annotator, Pt. Hiralal Shastri, before the completion of the text.
Historical Overview of Agam Literature: The text provides a historical perspective on Jain Agamas, tracing their transmission from the speech of the Tirthankaras, compilation by Ganadharas, preservation through memory traditions, the historic effort of Devarddhigani Kshamashraman to codify them in writing, and the subsequent challenges in maintaining their purity of meaning due to various factors. It also mentions the efforts of scholars like Lokashah and later commentators.
Purpose of the Publication: The current publication aims to present the Agam teachings in a way that is easily understandable, concise, yet comprehensive, fulfilling the vision of the late Yuvacharya Shri Mishrimalji Maharaj 'Madhukar'.
Interplay of Different Traditions: The preface touches upon the shared philosophical and ethical foundations across various Indian religious and philosophical traditions like the Vedas and the Tripitaka, while emphasizing the uniqueness of Jain Agamas.
The Nature of Jain Agamas: It discusses the concept of Agamas being both "paurusheya" (authored by individuals like Tirthankaras and Ganadharas) and "apurusheya" (reflecting eternal truths). It highlights the consistent ethical teachings of all Tirthankaras, such as non-violence, truthfulness, etc.
Challenges in Agam Preservation: The text outlines several reasons for the disruption and loss of Jain Agam knowledge over time, including the decline of memory traditions, fragmentation of lineages, external invasions, internal disputes, and the less rigid focus on scriptural memorization compared to the Brahmanical tradition. It also notes the Jain emphasis on adherence to the code of conduct (achara-samhita) over extensive scriptural study for all ascetics.
The Structure of Jain Agamas: It mentions the division of Agamas into Anga-pravishta and Anga-bahya, with Nandi Sutra and Samavaya Anga providing further details.
The Role of Ganadharas and Sthaviras: It clarifies that Tirthankaras provide the essence of teachings, while Ganadharas compile them into Sutras, and Sthaviras compose Anga-bahya Agamas. It also touches upon the debate regarding the distinctiveness of Vachana (recitations) from different Ganadharas.
The Significance of Sthananga: The text explicitly states that Yuvacharya Pandit Mishrimalji 'Madhukar' is the convener and founder editor, and emphasizes the detailed classifications within the Sthananga, which are beneficial for memory and assimilation.

II. Content of the Sthanas (Chapters):

The text provides a detailed outline (Vishayanukram) of the content covered in the first four Sthanas (chapters):

First Sthana (Pages 68-88):
- Focus: Primarily deals with concepts categorized numerically, emphasizing "one" (Eke).
- Key Themes:
  - Existence of Entities: Discusses the oneness of soul (Atman), the world (Loka), Dharma, Adharma, Bandha (bondage), Moksha (liberation), Punnya (merit), Papa (demerit), Asrava (influx of karma), Samvara (prevention of karma), Vedana (experience of karma), and Nirjara (shedding of karma) from a fundamental perspective.
  - Classification of Objects: Enumerates various categories based on the number "one," including the nature of the soul, the concept of "danda" (punishment/consequence), "kriya" (action), "lok" (world), "aloka" (non-world), "dharma" (principle of motion), "adharma" (principle of rest), "bandha" (bondage), "moksha" (liberation), "punya" (merit), "papa" (demerit), "asrava" (influx of karma), "samvara" (cessation of karma), "vedana" (experience), and "nirjara" (shedding of karma).
  - Nature of Matter (Pudgala): Details various characteristics of Pudgala, such as sound (shabda), form (rupa), smell (gandha), taste (rasa), and touch (sparsha), classifying them into various qualities (e.g., five types of rasa, eight types of sparsha).
  - Paapa (Sins): Enumerates eighteen types of sins (Paapa) and their eighteen corresponding practices of abstention (Paapa-viramana).
  - Cosmic Cycles: Mentions the concepts of Avasharpini (descending cycle) and Utsarpini (ascending cycle) of time, describing their subdivisions.
  - Classifications of Beings: Classifies beings into various categories based on their number of senses (ekendriya, dvindriya, etc.), their nature (bhavyasiddhi, abhavysiddhi), their perception (samyak-drushti, mithya-drushti), and their karma (krushna-pakshiya, shukla-pakshiya).
  - Leshya: Explains the six Lésyas (subtle states of mind/matter) and their presence across different categories of beings.
  - Substance of Existence: Attributes oneness to fundamental realities like soul, world, motion, rest, bondage, liberation, merit, demerit, influx, cessation, experience, and shedding of karma, viewed from a certain perspective.
Second Sthana (Pages 69-152):
- Focus: Primarily deals with duality and classifications based on "two" (Dvi).
- Key Themes:
  - Duality in Existence: The fundamental duality of Jiva (soul) and Ajiva (non-soul) is explored, along with other dichotomies like soul/non-soul, soul with/without senses, soul with/without consciousness, etc.
  - Action (Kriya): Classifies actions into those related to Jiva and Ajiva, and further into types like samyak-kriya (right action) and mithya-kriya (wrong action), iryāpathikī (action in motion) and sāmparāyikī (action due to passions).
  - Cosmic Geography: Describes the dual nature of Lokakasha (world-space) and Alokakasha (non-world-space), Dharma and Adharma as dual principles. It also details the divisions within Jambu-dwipa and other geographical entities of the Jain universe, often in pairs.
  - Time: Explains time (Kala) in terms of the Avasharpini and Utsarpini cycles.
  - Body (Sharira): Discusses the dual nature of bodies, like inward (karmic) and outward (audarik, vaikriyik).
  - Classification of Beings: Continues the classification of beings based on their characteristics (e.g., two types of hell-dwellers, two types of demons, two types of celestial beings, two types of inanimate beings).
  - Knowledge (Jnana): Distinguishes between pratyaksha (direct) and paroksha (indirect) knowledge, and further subdivines them.
  - Faith (Drishti): Classifies faith into samyak-drishti, mithya-drishti, and samyamithya-drishti.
  - Conduct (Achara): Divides conduct into spiritual (jnana, darshana, charitra) and worldly aspects.
  - Ascetic Practices (Pratimā): Details various classifications of ascetic practices.
  - Bhava (Mental States): Analyzes states like attachment (preya) and aversion (dwesha), and the four types of vices (kashayas: anger, pride, illusion, greed), their intensity and impact.
Third Sthana (Pages 90-178):
- Focus: Primarily deals with classifications based on "three" (Tri).
- Key Themes:
  - Types of Powers/Entities: Discusses three types of Indras (celestial chiefs), three types of powers (vikriya), three types of actions (purushartha).
  - Consciousness and States of Being: Categorizes beings based on their three types of consciousness (manas, vachana, kaya), their three mental states (suma-na-skandha, durnamasu-skandha, etc.), and their modes of existence.
  - Calamities and Blessings: Describes three types of calamities and four types of blessings in the context of divine beings.
  - Cosmic Structure: Details the three Lokas (worlds: Urthva, Adho, Tiryak), and three types of cosmic divisions (lok, alok, lok-alok).
  - Principles of Jain Philosophy: Discusses three types of knowledge (jnana), three types of faith (drishti), and three types of conduct (charitra) as paths to liberation. It also mentions the three jewels (Samyak Darshan, Samyak Jnana, Samyak Charitra).
  - Ascetic Practices: Elaborates on three types of ascetic practices (tapas) and the three types of vows (anuvratas).
  - Time and Space: Discusses three types of time (past, present, future) and three types of spaces (Loka, Aloka, Loka-Aloka).
  - Jain Cosmology: Describes the three continents (Jambudweepa, Dhataki-khanda, Pushkaravara-dwipa) and their constituent parts, often in threes.
  - Types of Monks and Nuns: Classifies them based on their stages of spiritual progress or conduct.
  - Ethical Conduct: Discusses three types of speech, three types of actions, and the importance of restraining them.
Fourth Sthana (Pages 192-378):
- Focus: Primarily deals with classifications based on "four" (Chatvari).
- Key Themes:
  - Human States and Characteristics: Analyzes four types of men based on their mental states (sumana-skandha, durnamna-skandha, etc.), their conduct (rites/rituals), their origins (jati), and their attributes (form, strength, knowledge, conduct). This section extensively uses the four-fold classification (chatur-bhangi) to describe human nature.
  - Cosmic Elements and Geography: Describes four types of trees, four types of fruits, four types of rains (based on their quality and impact), four types of winds, and the four cardinal directions. It also details the four types of mountains (Kutas) in Jambudwipa and the four types of parks in Devakuru and Uttar-kuru.
  - Karma and Its Aspects: Classifies karma into four types (jnana-avaraniya, darshana-avaraniya, mohaniya, antaraya) and discusses their origins based on four causes (krodha, mana, maya, lobha). It also outlines four reasons for the generation and destruction of karma.
  - Dharma and Adharma: Explains the concept of Dharma and Adharma as principles related to motion and rest, and their implications in four ways.
  - Moksha and Bandha: Discusses the paths to liberation and bondage from four perspectives.
  - Life and Death: Categorizes life forms (based on senses), and birth/death processes.
  - Asceticism: Details four types of ascetic practices (tapas) and the four types of conduct required for liberation.
  - Ethical Principles: Enumerates four types of virtues and vices.
  - Historical Figures: Mentions four types of kings or prominent figures.
  - Cosmic Phenomena: Discusses four types of clouds, four types of winds, four types of rains, and four types of earthquakes, attributing their causes to divine powers or natural laws.
  - Celestial Beings: Describes four types of celestial beings (Bhavanavasi, Vanavyantara, Jyotishka, Vaimanika) and their classifications.
  - Knowledge and Perception: Differentiates between four types of knowledge (mind, speech, body, and tools) and four types of perception.
  - Mind and Behavior: Classifies men and their actions based on their mental states (happiness, unhappiness, indifference) and their actions (past, present, future).
  - Social Structures: Categorizes social roles and relationships.
  - Cause and Effect: Analyzes the four types of causes and effects in various contexts.

III. Overall Significance:

The Sthananga Sutra, as presented in this excerpt, serves as a comprehensive encyclopedia of Jain thought. Its systematic enumeration and classification of diverse concepts, often within a numerical framework (especially focusing on one, two, three, and four), make it a valuable tool for understanding the depth and breadth of Jain philosophy and practice. It covers cosmology, ontology, ethics, asceticism, and the structure of the Jain universe in a highly organized manner. The text highlights the Jain emphasis on understanding entities and concepts from multiple perspectives (nayavada) and the interconnectedness of actions, karma, and liberation.

The detailed content, particularly the repetition of classifications across different categories (e.g., four types of men, four types of actions), underscores the Sutra's aim to impress these classifications upon the reader's mind for easy recall and application in understanding Jain teachings. The introduction of concepts like Lésya, Pudgala, and various levels of spiritual accomplishment further enriches the understanding of Jain doctrine.