Agam 04 Ang 04 Samvayang Sutra - Book Summary

The provided text is the Samvayang Sutra, the fourth Anga (limb) of the Jain Agamas, as edited and translated by Mahopadhyay Chandraprabhsagar and published by Prakrit Bharti Academy. This comprehensive summary is based on the content of the provided pages, which detail the structure and extensive enumeration within the Sutra.

Book Title: Agam 04 Ang 04 Samvayang Sutra Author(s): Chandraprabhsagar Publisher: Prakrit Bharti Academy

Overall Nature of the Text:

The Samvayang Sutra (समवाय-सुत्तं) is a foundational Jain scripture, referred to as the fourth Anga of the Jain canon. It is described as a representative text of the entirety of Agam literature, serving as both an introduction and a conclusion to the Agam sutras. Its core characteristic is its encyclopedic and enumerative style, presenting a vast collection of facts, classifications, and numerical data from the Jain cosmological, philosophical, and historical perspectives. It is considered a "treasury" from which scientific possibilities can emerge and a "transparent window" into the obscured past.

Key Aspects and Structure:

The text is structured into fifty-four "Samavayas" (समवाय), which can be understood as chapters or sections, each focusing on a particular topic or category and enumerating it numerically. These Samavayas are systematically organized by the number associated with the topic. The Sutra begins with the first Samavaya and progresses sequentially up to the fifty-fourth Samavaya. Following the fifty-four Samavayas, there are additional sections:

Chhabbeesaimo Samavapro / Chhabbeesaimo Samavaya (26th): Covering 26 items.
Sattavveisaaimo Samav / Sattavveisaaimo Samva (27th): Covering 27 items.
Atthaaveisaimo Samavapro / Atthaaveisaimo Samva (28th): Covering 28 items.
Eganateesaaimo Samava / Eganateesaaimo Samva (29th): Covering 29 items.
Teesaimo Samavapro / Teesaimo Samva (30th): Covering 30 items.
Ekatteesaaimo Samav / Ekatteesaaimo Samva (31st): Covering 31 items.
Batteesaaimo Samavapro / Batteesaaimo Samva (32nd): Covering 32 items.
Teyateesaaimo Samavao / Teyateesaaimo Samva (33rd): Covering 33 items.
Chauateesaaimo Samav / Chauateesaaimo Samva (34th): Covering 34 items.
Panateesaaimo Samavapro / Panateesaaimo Samva (35th): Covering 35 items.
Chhabbeesaaimo Samav / Chhabbeesaaimo Samva (36th): Covering 36 items.
Sattavveisaaimo Samavapro / Sattavveisaaimo Samva (37th): Covering 37 items.
Atthaaveisaimo Samav / Atthaaveisaimo Samva (38th): Covering 38 items.
Eganachataleesaimo Samava / Eganachataleesaimo Samva (39th): Covering 39 items.
Chataaleesaimo Samavapro / Chataaleesaimo Samva (40th): Covering 40 items.
Ekachataaleesaimo Samav / Ekachataaleesaimo Samva (41st): Covering 41 items.
Baayaleesaimo Samavapro / Baayaleesaimo Samva (42nd): Covering 42 items.
Teyaleesaimo Samav / Teyaleesaimo Samva (43rd): Covering 43 items.
Chauyaaleesaimo Samavapro / Chauyaaleesaimo Samva (44th): Covering 44 items.
Panayaaleesaimo Samav / Panayaaleesaimo Samva (45th): Covering 45 items.
Chhayaaleesaimo Samavapro / Chhayaaleesaimo Samva (46th): Covering 46 items.
Sattayaaleesaimo Samav / Sattayaaleesaimo Samva (47th): Covering 47 items.
Atthaayaaleesaimo Samavapro / Atthaayaaleesaimo Samva (48th): Covering 48 items.
Eganapannasaaimo Samav / Eganapannasaaimo Samva (49th): Covering 49 items.
Pannasaaimo Samavapro / Pannasaaimo Samva (50th): Covering 50 items.
Ekapannasaaimo Samav / Ekapannasaaimo Samva (51st): Covering 51 items.
Baavannaimo Samavapro / Baavannaimo Samva (52nd): Covering 52 items.
Tevannaimo Samav / Tevannaimo Samva (53rd): Covering 53 items.
Chauvannaimo Samavapro / Chauvannaimo Samva (54th): Covering 54 items.
Pannavannaimo Samav / Pannavannaimo Samva (55th): Covering 55 items.
Chhabbannaimo Samavapro / Chhabbannaimo Samva (56th): Covering 56 items.
Sattavannaimo Samav / Sattavannaimo Samva (57th): Covering 57 items.
Atthaavannaimo Samavapro / Atthaavannaimo Samva (58th): Covering 58 items.
Egunasathiimo Samav / Egunasathiimo Samva (59th): Covering 59 items.
Sathiimo Samavapro / Sathiimo Samva (60th): Covering 60 items.
Ekasathimo Samav / Ekasathimo Samva (61st): Covering 61 items.
Baasathimo Samavapro / Baasathimo Samva (62nd): Covering 62 items.
Tevathimo Samav / Tevathimo Samva (63rd): Covering 63 items.
Chausathimo Samavapro / Chausathimo Samva (64th): Covering 64 items.
Panasathimo Samav / Panasathimo Samva (65th): Covering 65 items.
Chhabasathimo Samavapro / Chhabasathimo Samva (66th): Covering 66 items.
Sattasathimo Samav / Sattasathimo Samva (67th): Covering 67 items.
Atthasathimo Samavapro / Atthasathimo Samva (68th): Covering 68 items.
Egunasattarimo Samav / Egunasattarimo Samva (69th): Covering 69 items.
Sattarimo Samavapro / Sattarimo Samva (70th): Covering 70 items.
Ekasattarimo Samav / Ekasattarimo Samva (71st): Covering 71 items.
Baasattarimo Samavapro / Baasattarimo Samva (72nd): Covering 72 items.
Teyasattarimo Samav / Teyasattarimo Samva (73rd): Covering 73 items.
Chauyasattarimo Samavapro / Chauyasattarimo Samva (74th): Covering 74 items.
Panasattarimo Samav / Panasattarimo Samva (75th): Covering 75 items.
Chhabbannaimo Samavapro / Chhabbannaimo Samva (76th): Covering 76 items.
Sattavannaimo Samav / Sattavannaimo Samva (77th): Covering 77 items.
Atthavannaimo Samavapro / Atthaavannaimo Samva (78th): Covering 78 items.
Egunanavaiimo Samav / Egunanavaiimo Samva (79th): Covering 79 items.
Navaiimo Samavapro / Navaiimo Samva (80th): Covering 80 items.
Ekanaanavaiimo Samav / Ekanaanavaiimo Samva (81st): Covering 81 items.
Baavannaimo Samavapro / Baavannaimo Samva (82nd): Covering 82 items.
Tevannaimo Samav / Tevannaimo Samva (83rd): Covering 83 items.
Chauvannaimo Samavapro / Chauvannaimo Samva (84th): Covering 84 items.
Panavannaimo Samav / Panavannaimo Samva (85th): Covering 85 items.
Chhabbannaimo Samavapro / Chhabbannaimo Samva (86th): Covering 86 items.
Sattavannaimo Samav / Sattavannaimo Samva (87th): Covering 87 items.
Atthavannaimo Samavapro / Atthaavannaimo Samva (88th): Covering 88 items.
Egunananavaiimo Samav / Egunananavaiimo Samva (89th): Covering 89 items.
Navaiimo Samavapro / Navaiimo Samva (90th): Covering 90 items.
Ekaanavaiimo Samav / Ekaanavaiimo Samva (91st): Covering 91 items.
Baavannaimo Samavapro / Baavannaimo Samva (92nd): Covering 92 items.
Tevannaimo Samav / Tevannaimo Samva (93rd): Covering 93 items.
Chauyannaimo Samavapro / Chauyannaimo Samva (94th): Covering 94 items.
Panayannaimo Samav / Panayannaimo Samva (95th): Covering 95 items.
Chhabyannaimo Samavapro / Chhabyannaimo Samva (96th): Covering 96 items.
Sattayannaimo Samav / Sattayannaimo Samva (97th): Covering 97 items.
Atthayannaimo Samavapro / Atthaayannaimo Samva (98th): Covering 98 items.
Egunanasatamo Samav / Egunanasatamo Samva (99th): Covering 99 items.
Satasamo Samavapro / Satasamo Samva (100th): Covering 100 items.
Satoottar-Samav / Satoottar-Samva (101st - Shatorattara): Covering over 100 items.
Dvaadashang-Samavay / Dvaadashang-Samva: Discussing the twelve Angas of the Jain canon.
Pragīrṇa-Samavaya / Pragīrṇa-Samva: Miscellaneous topics.

Core Themes and Content:

The Sutra meticulously enumerates various categories within the Jain framework, demonstrating a remarkable depth of classification and detail. Some prominent areas covered include:

Cosmology and Geography: Details about Jambudvipa, its dimensions, mountains (like Mandar, Vipula), rivers, regions (Bharat, Airavat, Mahavideha etc.), and the structure of the universe (Lok and Alok).
Time and Cycles: Discussion of Kalachakra (time cycle), Yugas (epochs), and durations in terms of years, Palya, and Sagaropama.
Jain Philosophy and Principles: Enumeration of concepts like soul (Atma), non-soul (Anatma), Dharma, Adharma, Karma (Bandha, Moksha, Pravasrava, Samvara, Nirjara), virtues (Gupti, Samiti), vices (Kashaya, Shalya, Garva), and different states of existence.
Life Forms and Biology: Classification of living beings (Jiva Nikayas) into different senses (Indriyas), types of life (Kaya), and their respective lifespans and characteristics.
Deities and Heavenly Realms: Details about various classes of celestial beings (Vanantar, Jyotishka, Vaimanika, Graivayak, Anuttara) and their lifespans and residences.
Spiritual Practices and States: Enumeration of vows (Mahavrata), stages of spiritual development (Guna Sthanas), types of austerities (Tapas), and states of enlightenment.
Nomenclature and Classification: Extensive lists of names for various entities, including Tirthankaras, Chakravartins, Baladevas, Vasudevas, deities, mountains, rivers, and even specific types of conduct.
Astronomy and Astrology: Discussion of stars and constellations (Nakshatras) and their influences.
Mathematics and Measurement: Numerical facts related to distances, sizes, and time units (Yojana, Hasta, Gavyuti, Gavyuti, Muhurta).
History and Genealogy: Mentions of important figures, lineage of Tirthankaras, and historical events.
Ethical Conduct and Practices: Detailing various aspects of Jain ethical conduct, such as the breaches of Brahmacharya (Agupitis) and the virtues (Guptis).

Significance:

The Samvayang Sutra is highly valued for its systematic organization of knowledge, its comprehensive scope, and its precise numerical data. It provides a framework for understanding the Jain worldview in its totality, highlighting the interconnectedness of different aspects of reality. The meticulous enumeration serves not only to categorize but also to emphasize the vastness and complexity of existence as perceived within Jainism, underscoring the importance of detailed understanding for spiritual progress. The text is a testament to the Jain tradition's commitment to detailed analysis and cataloging of all aspects of reality, from the smallest atom to the grandest cosmic structures.