Agam 05 Ang 05 Bhagvati Vyakhyaprajnapti Sutra Part 01 Sthanakvasi

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Agam 05 Ang 05 Bhagvati Vyakhyaprajnapti Sutra Part 01 Sthanakvasi," based on the provided English translation of the introductory pages.

Book Title: Agam 05 Ang 05 Bhagvati Vyakhyaprajnapti Sutra Part 01 Authors: Amarmuni, Shreechand Surana Publisher: Padma Prakashan

Overall Significance:

The Shri Bhagavati Sutra is presented as the most significant and voluminous among the Jain Agams. It is considered a monumental work containing the logical and reasoned solutions provided by Bhagavan Mahavir to 36,000 questions posed on a wide array of ontological and philosophical topics. The text is believed to be a comprehensive repository of knowledge, discussing almost every branch of universal knowledge, directly or indirectly. It delves into the secrets of numerous important and obscure principles from various fields of study.

Key Contents and Themes:

• Vast Scope of Knowledge: The Agam covers a vast spectrum of subjects, including philosophy, spiritualism, theories of matter and particles, and the multifaceted nature of existence. Its study is said to provide insights into the "anekanta" (non-absolutistic) perspective and the relative "syadvada" (Jina's speech methodology) using "naya" and "nikshep" (standpoints and classifications).
• Relevance to Modern Science: The eternal principles propagated by Bhagavan Mahavir are highlighted as being completely relevant to the modern scientific world. Specific examples include:
  • Anekantavada and Syadvada: The non-absolutistic view and the relative methodology of Syadvada are presented as crucial for understanding a thing holistically.
  • Nature and Cosmology: Discussions on virtue, vice, soul, non-soul, matter, the ultimate particle, soul complexity, codes of austerity, the entity of motion, the time-cycle and its changes, the theory of karma, life in plants, environment, classification of matter, and different life-forms are mentioned as being confirmed by contemporary research in biology and physics.
  • Scientific Correlations: The text specifically references concepts like the soul's journey, the nature of matter and atoms, the cycle of time, the theory of karma, life in plants, the environment, the nature of psychic energies (leshya), and the principles of motion and sustenance, suggesting their alignment with modern scientific understanding.
• Comprehensive Subject Matter: The text covers a wide range of topics, including:
  • Conduct (Achar Khand): Rules of ascetic conduct, food and movement, five samitis (restraints), three guptis (self-control), action, karma, and the five great vows.
  • Entities (Dravya Khand): Description of the six entities or the physical world (Padarth-vaad), ultimate particles (Paramanu-vaad), mind, sense organs, intellect, movement, and the body.
  • Ontology (Siddhant Khand): The soul, the Supreme Soul (liberated souls), knowledge including omniscience, the developed and pure state of the soul, being (jiva), non-being (ajiva), merit-demerit (punya-paap), inflow and blockage of karmas (asrava, samvar), shedding of karmas (nirjara), karma theory, righteousness (samyaktva), unrighteousness (mithyatva), action (kriya), karmic bondage, and methods for liberation.
  • Metaphysics of Other Worlds (Par-lok Khand): Descriptions of divine realms and infernal worlds, including the colour, smell, taste, and touch of hellish realms, the leshyas, karmic bondage, age, duration, and sufferings of infernal beings. It also details the number, land, conditions, castes, abodes, leshyas, age, karmic bondage, duration, and enjoyments of divine beings.
  • Geography (Bhugol): Descriptions of Lok (occupied space), Alok (unoccupied space), Bharat and other regions, lands of action and enjoyment, and features like rivers, mountains, and seas.
  • Astronomy (Khagol): Descriptions of the sun, moon, planets, constellations, stars, darkness, and light.
  • Mathematics (Ganit Shastra): Concepts like combinations of one, two, three, and four things, countable and uncountable infinities, and cycles of time.
  • Obstetrics (Garbha Shastra): Description of the food intake, movement, development, body parts, and birth of a being in the womb.
  • Biographical Section (Charitra Khand): Narratives about individuals who came into contact with Bhagavan Mahavir, including hermits, mendicants, lay followers, ascetics of other traditions, and followers of Parshva tradition.
  • Miscellaneous (Vividh): Discussions on curious questions about hot springs, horse sounds, the powers of gods, various manifestations of transmutation, deadly poisons, dreams, clouds, and rain.
• Structure and Methodology:
  • Question-Answer Format: The Agam is presented in a question-answer format, with questions primarily posed by Ganadhar Indrabhuti Gautam and other disciples, as well as by lay followers and ascetics of other traditions.
  • Anekantavada: The principle of non-absolutism is central to the presentation of subjects, offering solutions from multiple standpoints.
  • Naya and Nikshepa: The text utilizes different standpoints (naya) and classifications (nikshepa) to provide relative and realistic descriptions.
  • Illustrations: The publication includes illustrations to enhance the understanding of complex topics, making the grave subject matter more engaging.
  • Translations: The publication aims to provide original Ardhamagadhi text with Hindi and English translations, elaborations, and multi-colored illustrations to make it accessible to a wider audience, including international scholars.
• Inspiration and Purpose: The project is inspired by the late Gurudev Uttar Bharatiya Pravartak Bhandari Shri Padma Chandra ji M. and is executed by Uttar Bharatiya Pravartak Shri Amar Muni ji M. The primary goal is to propagate the foundational scriptures of Jainism (Jinavani) to every household and to encourage regular study among ascetics, nuns, scholars, and householders.

Specific Scholarly Insights Mentioned:

• Pravartak Shri Amar Muni ji: Acknowledged as a profound scholar of Agams, he is credited with condensing vast knowledge into a simple and lucid style.
• Western Scholars: The text references the views of Western scholars who believe that subjects like biology, physics, and particle physics were presented for the first time in this scripture. The relevance of Mahavir's principles to the modern scientific world is a recurring theme.
• Modern Scientific Correlations: The text draws parallels between Jain principles and modern scientific findings, particularly in areas like the existence of life in plants, the nature of matter, and the concept of the universe's eternity.
• Historical and Sociological Insights: The Agam provides insights into the religious tolerance and interaction between different sects and philosophers of that era, highlighting a spirit of intellectual exchange and acceptance of truth.
• Theological and Philosophical Depth: The Agam explores the nature of the soul, the soul complexions (leshya), the theory of karma, and the path to liberation, emphasizing the importance of the non-absolutistic (Anekantavada) perspective.

In essence, this publication of the Shri Bhagavati Sutra is presented as a seminal work aiming to make the profound philosophical and scientific teachings of Bhagavan Mahavir accessible to a global audience through detailed explanations, translations, and visual aids.