Agam 08 Ang 08 Antkrutdashang Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text, "Agam 08 Ang 08 Antkrutdashang Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha," based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Agam 08 Ang 08 Antkrutdashang Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha Author: Gunsagarsuri (as the inspiring editor) Publisher: Jina Goyam Guna Sarvoday Trust Mumbai

Overall Purpose: This text is presented as part of a series ("Agam Guna Manjusha") aimed at providing a brief introduction to the 45 Jain Agamas. The Antakṛd-daśāṅga Sūtra is the eighth Anga, and this document focuses on its content and structure.

Key Information about the Antakṛd-daśāṅga Sūtra:

Classification: It is the 8th Anga (limb) of the Shvetambara Jain canon.
Primary Subject Matter: Primarily belongs to the Dharmakathānuyoga (narrative discourse on dharma). It details the life stories of exceptional souls who attained liberation through rigorous penance and fasting (anśana/saṃlekhana) on the holy site of Shatrunjaya.
Content: It describes the lives and spiritual journeys of individuals who achieved liberation. These accounts emphasize their renunciation, ascetic practices, study of the Jain scriptures (specifically the 11 Angas), and their ultimate attainment of Moksha (liberation).
Structure: The Sutra is divided into eight Vargas (classes or sections), and within these Vargas, there are a total of 90 Adhyayanas (chapters/lessons). The text mentions a total of approximately 800 Slokas (verses) in its available form.
Liberated Souls Featured: The text lists numerous individuals whose lives are described. These include:
- First Varga: Gautam Kumar, and nine other princes (Samudra, Sagar, Gambhir, Sthimit, Achal, Kapil, Akshobha, Prasenjit, Vishnu) born to King Andhakavrshni and Queen Dharini.
- Second Varga: Eight princes like Akshobha, Sagar, Samudra, Himavant, Achal, Dharan, Puran, and Abichandra, also sons of Vṛṣṇi and Dharini.
- Third Varga: Aniyash Kumar (son of Nag and Sulsa), and his five brothers (Anantasen, Anihat, Vidu, Devyas, and Shatrunjay). It also includes Saran Kumar and Sumukh Kumar. Importantly, it also recounts the story of Gajasukumar and his eventual liberation.
- Fourth Varga: Jali Kumar, and his siblings Mayali, Upayali, Purushsena, Varisen, and Pradyumna (sons of Shri Krishna and Rukmini). Samba Kumar (son of Shri Krishna and Jambavati), and Aniruddha and Satyayemi (sons of Pradyumna and Vaidarbhi). Dadhak Nemi is also mentioned.
- Fifth Varga: Padmavati, Gauri, Gandhari, Lakshana, Susima, Jambavati, Satyabhama, and Rukmini. These are queens who took to asceticism.
- Sixth Varga: Makai, Kinkim, Mugal pani, Kashyap, Kshemak, Dhritidhar, Kailas, Harichandan, Vartra, Sudarshan, Purnabhadra, Sumanabhadra, Supratisthit, Megh, Antimukta, and Alaksha.
- Seventh Varga: Nanda, Nandamati, Nandottara, Nandasenika, Mahaka, Sumruta, Mahamaruta, Marudeva, Bhadra, Subhadra, Sujata, Sumana, and Bhutadattā (all queens of King Shrenika).
- Eighth Varga: Kali, Sukali, Mahakali, Krishna, Sukrishna, Mahakrishna, Virakrishna, Ramakrishna, Pitrusenakrishna, and Mahasen Krishna. These are depicted practicing various severe austerities and penances.
Key Themes and Practices:
- Renunciation (Vairagya): The lives described are characterized by profound detachment from worldly pleasures and possessions.
- Asceticism and Penance (Tapa, Samyama): The text details various forms of penance, including fasting, severe austerities, and the practice of the 12 types of penance like Muktavali, Ratnavali, Kanakavali, and the 13th Vardhamana penance. Specific practices like the Chhath (fasting for six days) and other forms of disciplined conduct are mentioned.
- Ultimate Goal: Moksha (Liberation): The common thread throughout all these life stories is the aspiration for and attainment of liberation through rigorous spiritual practice.
- Shatrunjaya Mahatirtha: The holy mountain of Shatrunjaya is repeatedly mentioned as the site where many of these souls performed their final penance and attained salvation.
- The Role of Lord Arishtanemi: Lord Arishtanemi is frequently depicted as the Tirthankara whose teachings inspire these souls to embrace the ascetic path.
- Devotional Practices: The text mentions practices like performing Pratikramana (repentance rituals) and reciting the 11 Angas.

Context within the Agama Guna Manjusha Series: The document begins with a brief overview of the 11 Angas and 12 Upangas of the Jain Agamas, providing context for the Antakṛd-daśāṅga Sūtra within the broader scriptural framework. It highlights the subject matter and approximate verse counts of other Angas like the Acharyaṅga-sūtra, Sūtra-kṛtāṅga-sūtra, Bhagavati-sūtra, etc., and Upangas like the Uvavāyi-sūtra and Rāya-pasēṇi-sūtra.

Specific Narrative Details from the Text: The latter pages of the provided text delve into specific narratives, particularly the detailed accounts of:

Gautam Kumar: His renunciation after hearing Lord Arishtanemi's sermon, his practice of the 11 Angas, 12 years of asceticism, and his final practice on Shatrunjaya.
Aniyash Kumar: His marriage, renunciation, study of the 14 Purvas, 20 years of monastic life, and liberation on Shatrunjaya.
Mugal Pani: The story involves a gardener Arjun, his wife Bandhumati, a Yaksha named Mugal Pani, King Shrenika, and the ascetic Sudarshan, illustrating the consequences of actions and the path to liberation.
Gajasukumar: His encounter with nuns and his subsequent renunciation, practice of austerities, and liberation.
Vasudev and Devaki: Their sons' stories, including the plight of Devaki and Krishna's solace, are also touched upon.
Soma (daughter of Somil Mahana): Her interaction with Krishna and her eventual renunciation.
Arjun the Gardener: His plight and the role of the Yaksha Mugal Pani, followed by Arjun's renunciation and austerities.
Sudarsan Sheth: His encounters and adherence to dharma despite threats.
Various Queens: The text details the renunciation and ascetic lives of numerous queens of kings like Shrenika and Konika.
The 10 Krishna Vasudev Brothers: Their renunciations and achievements are systematically outlined.
The 16 Ascetics of the Sixth Varga: Including Antimukta, Alaksha, and others, highlighting their respective penances and liberations.
The 13 Queens of Shrenika: Their stories of renunciation and practice of austerities are recounted.
The 10 Ascetics of the Eighth Varga: Kali, Sukali, Mahakali, Krishna, and others, are described performing rigorous penances like Muktavali, Ratnavali, Kanakavali, and various forms of the 'Sih-nikilit' and 'Sarvatobhadra' austerities.

Conclusion: The Antakṛd-daśāṅga Sūtra serves as a compendium of inspiring narratives of spiritual heroism, demonstrating the path to ultimate liberation through renunciation, severe austerities, and unwavering devotion to the Jain path, often culminating in liberation at the sacred Shatrunjaya. The "Agam Guna Manjusha" series aims to make these ancient teachings accessible through concise summaries.