Agam 03 Sthanang Sutra Hindi Anuwad - Book Summary

The provided text is the Hindi translation of the Jain text "Sthananga Sutra," which is the third Anga (limb) of the Agamas, the sacred scriptures of Jainism. The title of the book is "Agam 03 Sthanang Sutra Hindi Anuwad" by Dipratnasagar and Deepratnasagar, published by Dipratnasagar. The translation and editing have been done by Muni Deepratnasagarji.

The document is structured into different "Sthan" (sections) and "Uddeshak" (sub-sections), enumerating various concepts and classifications in Jain philosophy and cosmology using numerical categories (one, two, three, and so on).

Here's a summary based on the provided pages:

Overall Structure:

The book is organized by numerical categories, starting with concepts related to "one" and progressing through "two," "three," "four," "five," "six," "seven," "eight," "nine," and "ten." Each number is then broken down into further sub-sections called "Uddeshak," followed by specific "Sutras" (verses or statements).

Key Themes and Content:

The Sthananga Sutra, as presented in this Hindi translation, is a comprehensive work that categorizes and enumerates spiritual, cosmological, ethical, and philosophical concepts based on numerical progression. The primary focus is on highlighting the "one-ness," "two-ness," "three-ness," etc., of various phenomena.

Sthan 1 (Concepts of One): This section enumerates numerous concepts that are presented as "one." This includes aspects of the soul, the universe, fundamental principles of Jainism like dharma, adharma, karma, liberation, and various perceptual and existential states. For instance, it states that the soul is one, action is one, the universe is one, the non-universe (aloka) is one, dharma-dravya is one, adharma-dravya is one, bondage is one, liberation is one, merit is one, demerit is one, influx (asrava) is one, and stoppage (samvara) is one. It also mentions the oneness of life, mind, speech, body, birth, death, and various other states of existence and consciousness.
Sthan 2 (Concepts of Two): This section categorizes phenomena into two types. It covers the fundamental duality of existence (Jiva and Ajiva), classifications of Jiva (Jiva and Ajiva, Trasa and Sthavara, etc.), classifications of Ajiva, and dualistic concepts like bondage and liberation, merit and demerit, influx and stoppage, pain and cessation of pain. It extensively discusses various types of "actions" (Kriya) and their dual classifications across different contexts. It also details the dual nature of time, space, bodies, senses, knowledge, conduct, and various aspects of the cosmos, including geographical features and celestial bodies. The text categorizes beings by their qualities, states of existence, and the types of their actions, often using "two" as the primary differentiator.
Sthan 3 (Concepts of Three): This section enumerates concepts that are classified into three. This includes types of Indra (celestial rulers), types of manifestation (Vikurvana), types of hellish beings, types of conduct, types of karma binding, types of restraint (Gupti), types of punishment, types of livelihood, types of understanding, types of rivers, types of time, types of birth, types of death, types of bodies, types of karma, and the classification of beings based on their sensory perception and development. It also delves into classifications of languages, emotions, actions, and various aspects of the celestial and terrestrial realms.
Sthan 4 (Concepts of Four): This section focuses on categorizations into four. This covers types of "endings" or "transcensions" (Antakriya), types of trees and by extension, men, types of seeds of vegetation, types of hellish beings and their circumstances, types of breaths, types of celestial abodes, types of knowledge, types of time, types of actions, types of karma, types of spiritual paths, types of vows, types of celestial beings, types of kingdoms, types of rivers, types of mountains, types of sounds, types of qualities of sound, types of causes for impurity, types of purity, types of purity in actions, types of suffering, types of suffering's cessation, types of desirable outcomes, types of undesirable outcomes, types of sons, types of marriages, types of knowledge, types of conduct, types of liberation, types of spiritual attainment, types of enlightenment, and various classifications related to the cosmos and beings. It also covers classifications of attention, intentions, and modes of action.
Sthan 5 (Concepts of Five): This section deals with categories of five. It includes the five great vows (Mahavratas) and five minor vows (Anuvratas), classifications of colors, tastes, sensory objects, causes for suffering and liberation, spiritual stages, types of intellect and knowledge, types of karma, types of qualities, types of spiritual practices, types of celestial beings, and the lifespans of various beings. It also discusses the characteristics of the cosmos, types of celestial rulers, and various aspects of spiritual discipline.
Sthan 6 (Concepts of Six): This section enumerates classifications into six. It covers the six types of living beings (Jiva Nikaya), the six types of hellish realms, the six types of celestial realms, the six types of senses, the six types of knowledge, the six types of conduct, the six types of obstacles to liberation, the six types of virtues, the six types of spiritual practices, the six types of emotions, the six types of actions, the six types of causes for rebirth, the six types of spiritual achievements, and the six types of spiritual states. It also details the six types of hellish beings, the six types of celestial beings, the six types of celestial realms, and the six types of spiritual practices.
Sthan 7 (Concepts of Seven): This section classifies concepts into seven. It includes types of hellish realms, types of celestial realms, types of senses, types of knowledge, types of conduct, types of spiritual practices, types of emotions, types of actions, types of causes for rebirth, types of spiritual achievements, and the characteristics of the cosmos. It also covers classifications of hellish beings, celestial beings, and various types of spiritual disciplines.
Sthan 8 (Concepts of Eight): This section enumerates concepts categorized into eight. This includes types of hellish realms, types of celestial realms, types of senses, types of knowledge, types of conduct, types of spiritual practices, types of emotions, types of actions, types of causes for rebirth, types of spiritual achievements, and the characteristics of the cosmos. It also covers classifications of hellish beings, celestial beings, and various types of spiritual disciplines. It also details the eight types of physicians, eight types of wounds, and eight types of men.
Sthan 9 (Concepts of Nine): This section categorizes concepts into nine. This includes types of hellish realms, types of celestial realms, types of senses, types of knowledge, types of conduct, types of spiritual practices, types of emotions, types of actions, types of causes for rebirth, types of spiritual achievements, and the characteristics of the cosmos. It also covers classifications of hellish beings, celestial beings, and various types of spiritual disciplines. It also describes the nine types of lineage (Gotra).
Sthan 10 (Concepts of Ten): This section enumerates concepts classified into ten. This includes types of hellish realms, types of celestial realms, types of senses, types of knowledge, types of conduct, types of spiritual practices, types of emotions, types of actions, types of causes for rebirth, types of spiritual achievements, and the characteristics of the cosmos. It also covers classifications of hellish beings, celestial beings, and various types of spiritual disciplines. It details the ten types of hellish beings, ten types of celestial beings, and ten types of spiritual practices. It also includes the ten types of vows and the ten types of vows not followed.

Overall Purpose:

The Sthananga Sutra aims to provide a systematic and exhaustive classification of Jain doctrines and the universe. By enumerating concepts based on numerical progression, it facilitates a deep and structured understanding of Jain philosophy, ethics, and cosmology. The text emphasizes the importance of detailed knowledge and categorization in the spiritual path towards liberation.