Agam 06 Ang 06 Gnatadharma Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha

The provided text is the sixth Anga of the Shwetambar Agam, known as the Jnatadharmakatha Sutra, presented within the "Agam 06 Ang 06" series under the title "Agam 06 Ang 06 Gnatadharma Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha". The work is attributed to author Gunsagarsuri and published by Jina Goyam Guna Sarvoday Trust, Mumbai.

This extensive text provides a concise overview of the 45 Agamas, divided into several categories:

I. Eleven Anga Sutras (Pages 2-3, 5-6): These are the core scriptures of Jainism. The text briefly introduces each of the eleven Angas:

1. Acharanga Sutra: Focuses on the conduct of monks and householders, with 25 lessons and primarily the fourth Anuyoga (Charan Karan Anuyoga).
2. Sutrakritanga Sutra: Also known as Suyagadanga, it discusses various philosophical viewpoints (180 Kriyavadi, 84 Akriyavadi, etc.) and primarily focuses on the teaching of entity (Dravyanuyoga).
3. Sthananga Sutra: Discusses the four Anuyogas, with a focus on calculation (Ganitanuyoga), detailing objects from one to ten and beyond.
4. Samavayanga Sutra: Similar to Sthananga, it serves as a compendium, listing objects from one to one hundred and up to crores.
5. Vyakhyaprajnapti Sutra (Bhagavati Sutra): The largest Anga, with 42 Satakas and 1925 Uddeshas, containing answers of Lord Mahavira to Gautama Ganadhara's questions. It is considered a treasure trove of Jain knowledge.
6. Jnatadharmakatha Sutra: This is the primary subject of the text. It belongs to the Dharmakathanuyoga (teaching of religious discourses). Previously containing 3.5 crore stories, it now comprises 19 stories in 6000 verses. The provided text then delves into the detailed summaries of the 19 stories within this Sutra, covering various moral and ethical lessons through the lives of kings, merchants, ascetics, and other individuals.
7. Upasaka Dasanga Sutra: Describes the 12 vows and the life stories of 10 great Jain householders, also incorporating aspects of Dharmakathanuyoga and Charan Karan Anuyoga.
8. Antakriddasa Sutra: Primarily in Dharmakathanuyoga, it presents short life sketches of eminent souls who attained Moksha through fasting on Shatrunjaya Tirth.
9. Anuttaraupapata Dasa Sutra: Contains life sketches of great householders who attained Anuttara Vimana (celestial abodes) through excellent conduct in their final moments and then attained liberation in a subsequent birth.
10. Prashna Vyakarana Sutra: Primarily in Charan Karan Anuyoga, it describes Lord Mahavira's answers to questions posed by gods, Vidyadharas, monks, nuns, and householders. It mirrors the Ashrava-Samvara concepts found in the Nandi Sutra.
11. Vipaka Sutra: Consists of two parts: the "Fruition of Misery" (describing 10 sinful souls) and the "Fruition of Happiness" (illustrating 10 meritorious souls).

II. Twelve Upanga Sutras (Page 6): These are subsidiary texts to the Angas. The text mentions:

1. Aupapatika Sutra: Subservient to Acharanga, it describes Champanagari, 12 types of austerity, and the stories of Ambaada's disciples.
2. Raja Prasniya Sutra: Subservient to Sutrakritanga, it details King Pradesi's life and the worship of Jina idols by Suryabha Devata.
3. Jivabhigama Sutra: Subservient to Sthananga, it provides a good analysis of soul and non-soul, and the worship rituals performed by Vijay Devata in Jambudvipa.
4. Pannavana Sutra: Subservient to Samavayanga, it describes 36 steps or topics.
5. Surya Prajnapti Sutra & Chandra Prajnapti Sutra: Both focus on Ganitanuyoga, describing the movements of celestial bodies, day/night length variations, seasons, etc.
6. Jambudvipa Prajnapti Sutra: Also in Ganitanuyoga, it provides a detailed description of Jambudvipa and its Arey.
7. Nirayavali Sutra: Depicts a war and the descent of King Shrenika's sons into hell.
8. Kalpa Vatamsaka Sutra: Contains life sketches of Kalakumara and other princes.
9. Pushpika Upanga Sutra: Includes 10 lessons about various deities and a householder named Anaḍhiya.
10. Pushpaculika Sutra: Depicts the previous births of 10 queens.
11. Vṛṣṇi Daśā Sutra: Presents 10 stories of the Yadav dynasty, including King Andhaka Vṛṣṇi's sons. The last five Upangas are collectively known as Niravali Panchaka.

III. Ten Payanna Sutras (Pages 3, 7): These are considered explanatory or supplementary texts. The text lists:

1. Atura Pratyakhyana Prakirnaka Sutra: Deals with final practices and improving one's death.
2. Bhakta Parina Sutra: Describes types of enlightened death.
3. Surya Prajnapti Sutra & Chandra Prajnapti Sutra: (Also mentioned in Upangas, likely a reiteration or different classification).
4. Samstara Prakirnaka Sutra: Extols the virtue of Samstara (voluntary fasting until death).
5. Tandula Vayaliyak Prakirnaka Sutra: Known as an "ocean of detachment," it details the food consumption of a soul over 100 years.
6. Chandavijaya Prakirnaka Sutra: Explains practices that improve one's death.
7. Devendra Stava Prakirnaka Sutra: Presents hymns sung by Indra.
8. Marana Samadhi Prakirnaka Sutra: Details final practices related to death.
9. Mahapratyakhyana Prakirnaka Sutra: Focuses on the practices of monks at the time of death.
10. Ganividya Prakirnaka Sutra: Summarizes astrological texts.

IV. Six Cheda Sutras (Page 7): These are disciplinary texts dealing with specific rules and transgressions. The six are: Nishitha, Mahanishitha, Vyavahara, Jitakalpa, Panchakalpa, and Dasa Shruta Skandha. The text emphasizes that the study of these is restricted to highly qualified and disciplined monks.

V. Four Mula Sutras (Page 7): These are fundamental texts:

1. Dashavaikalika Sutra: Considered a nectar lake for monks and nuns in the fifth era, containing 10 lessons and two Culikas.
2. Uttaradhyayana Sutra: Contains the last sermons of Lord Mahavira, focusing on detachment and the conduct of monks.
3. Niryukti Sutra: Discusses conduct, behavior, food acquisition, and avoiding faults.
4. Avashyaka Sutra: Essential for all four Jain sects, describing six daily obligatory duties (Samayika, Chaturvimsati, Vandana, Pratikramana, Kayotsarga, Pratyakhyana).

VI. Two Colikas (Page 7): These are supplementary texts:

1. Nandi Sutra: Contains hymns, analogies for the monastic community, names of Tirthankaras and Ganadharas, Sthaviravali, and the five types of knowledge.
2. Anuyogadvāra Sutra: Considered the key to understanding all Agamas, it explains Anuyoga (explanatory devices) in four ways: Utkrama, Nikshepa, Anugama, and Nay.

Detailed Summary of Jnatadharmakatha Sutra (Pages 8-31): The text then provides a detailed breakdown of the Jnatadharmakatha Sutra itself, focusing on its two Skandhas (parts) and 19 Adhyayanas (lessons). Each story is summarized with its moral lesson:

• Jñana Shruta Skandha:

  • 1. Utkshipte: Describes the conversation between Aryasudharma and Aryajambuswami, and the stories of King Shrenik, Queen Dharani, Abhayakumara, and Meghakumara, focusing on renunciation and overcoming hardships.
  • 2. Sanghataka: Narrates the stories of King Shrenik's family, Dhanavahana, Bhadra, Pantaka, and Vijaya the thief, highlighting the importance of righteous conduct and devotion.
  • 3. Anda: Teaches about not harboring doubt, using the example of two eggs, one of which perishes due to doubt.
  • 4. Surya: Emphasizes sensory control (Indriyajaya) through the story of two tortoises, one caught by jackals due to fickle-mindedness and the other escaping due to stability.
  • 5. Shata: Teaches the abandonment of negligence (Pramada Parihara), with the story of Thavasya and his son.
  • 6. Kumbha: Discusses the gravity and lightness of a soul and the example of a mud-covered gourd.
  • 7. Rohini: Teaches the growth of the five great vows, using the story of Rohini and rice grains.
  • 8. Malli: Covers the prevention of Maya (deception) and the concept of a smelly body, referencing Mallinatha's previous births and the six kings' test.
  • 9. Mardikā: Teaches against fickle-mindedness using the story of Jinapalita and Jinrakshita, emphasizing the consequences of straying from the path.
  • 10. Chandra: Illustrates the growth of self-qualities like the moon's waxing and waning.
  • 11. Davadrava: Discusses adherence and violation of the Jain path, using analogies of forest fire and sea winds.
  • 12. Udaka: Illustrates purification of water and the transformation of material existence.
  • 13. Duraka: Teaches the decline of self-qualities due to lack of good company.
  • 14. Tejaliputra: Describes the enlightened life and attainment of liberation of Tejaliputra.
  • 15. Nandikala: Prohibits eating Nandi fruit, explaining the consequences of not doing so.
  • 16. Aparakanka: Teaches against the desire for rewards, using the story of Draupadi.
  • 17. Ashva: Teaches sensory control and the merits/demerits of sensory indulgence through the story of King Kanakketu and horses.
  • 18. Sushuma: Highlights the merits of religious practices by showing the tragic end of Sushuma's abduction and murder due to a fickle mind.
  • 19. Pundarika: Tells the story of Prince Pundarika's spiritual journey and attainment of Moksha.

• Dharma-Shruta Skandha: This section covers further stories, including those of Chamarendra's chief queens, Balendra's chief queens, Sharana's chief queens, Bhutananda's chief queens, Pishachadi's chief queens, Mahakaleshwara's chief queens, Surya's chief queens, Chandra's chief queens, Shani's chief queens, and Ishana Indra's chief queens. These stories typically involve their past lives, penance, and eventual liberation.

The text emphasizes the importance of right conduct, detachment, sensory control, non-violence, and spiritual discipline through these narratives, often illustrating the karmic consequences of actions. The summaries are detailed, providing insights into the moral teachings embedded within each story.