Agam 10 Ang 10 Prashna Vyakaran Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha - Book Summary

This document is a detailed summary of the Jain Agamas, focusing on the "Prashna Vyakarana Sutra," which is one of the Angas (primary scriptures) of the Shwetambar Jain tradition. The text, titled "Agam 10 Ang 10 Prashna Vyakaran Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha" and authored by Gunsagarsuri, provides an overview of various Agamas, categorizing them and briefly describing their content and verse counts.

Here's a breakdown of the key information presented in the document:

Overall Structure and Purpose:

The book is presented as part of the "Agama Guna Manjusha" series, aiming to provide a brief introduction to 45 Agamas.
The text highlights the importance and diverse content of these scriptures, covering various aspects of Jain philosophy, ethics, and history.
It is presented in a way that aims to educate and guide Jain followers.

Key Agamas and Their Descriptions:

The document systematically outlines different categories of Agamas and provides synopses for several important ones:

Eleven Angas (Primary Scriptures):
- Acharanga Sutra: Focuses on the conduct of monks and householders, with descriptions of two learning parts and 25 lessons. It emphasizes the "Charan Kriya Yoga" (ways of conduct).
- Suyagadanga Sutra (Sutrakritanga Sutra): Contains two learning parts and 23 lessons, discussing various philosophical schools (363 doctrine-holders). It covers ritualists, non-ritualists, agnostics, and restraint-propounders, with a focus on "Dravyanuga" (teaching on entity).
- Sthana-anga Sutra: Primarily deals with calculation ("Ganitanuga") but also touches upon other teachings. It describes objects from one to ten and has approximately 7600 verses.
- Samavaya-anga Sutra: Similar to Sthana-anga, it acts as an encompendium listing objects from one to a crore and more, with about 1600 verses.
- Vyakhyaprajñapti Sutra (Bhagavati Sutra): The largest Anga, containing 41 centuries and 1925 topics. It details the questions posed by Gautama Ganadhara and Lord Mahavira's answers, covering all four types of teachings. It's considered a treasure of gems, with over 15,000 verses.
- Jnātādharmakathanga Sutra: Relates religious discourses and contains 19 stories (previously 3.5 crores), with 6000 verses.
- Upāsaka-daśānga Sutra: Describes the 12 vows and the life stories of 10 great lay followers (Upāsakas) and Lord Mahavira, focusing on religious discourse and conduct.
- Antakṛddaśānga Sutra: Primarily religious discourse, featuring brief life stories of liberated souls and those on the path to liberation, with 800 verses.
- Anuttaraupapātikadaśānga Sutra: Also religious discourse, detailing life stories of those who achieve liberation from higher heavens, with 200 verses.
- Prashna-vyakarana Sutra: Primarily focuses on the "Charan Kriya Yoga" (ways of conduct). It contains Lord Mahavira's answers to questions from gods, Vidyadharas, monks, nuns, and lay followers. It describes paths leading to transgression and self-control, with 200 verses. The document provides a very detailed breakdown of the content of this sutra, particularly focusing on the five "Adharma Dvaras" (ways of unrighteousness) like violence, falsehood, stealing, non-celibacy, and possession, and the five "Samvara Dvaras" (ways of self-control) that counter them (non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession).
- Vipaka Sutra: Consists of two learning parts: "Dukh Vipaka" (fructification of misery) with 10 examples of sinful souls, and "Sukh Vipaka" (fructification of happiness) with 10 examples of virtuous souls, primarily in the "Dharmakathanuga" (religious discourse) genre, with 1200 verses.
Twelve Upangas (Secondary Scriptures):
- Uvavayi Sutra: Subservient to Acharanga Sutra, describing Campa city, 12 types of austerities, and disciples of a monk, with 1000 verses.
- Rāyapraseniya Sutra: Subservient to Suyagadanga Sutra, depicting King Pradesi and the worship of Jina idols, with 2000 verses.
- Jivābhigama Sutra: Subservient to Sthana-anga Sutra, analyzing self and non-self, Jambu continent, and worship rituals, with 4700 verses.
- Pannavaṇā Sutra: Subservient to Samavāyānga Sutra, describing 36 topics, with 8000 verses.
- Surya Prajñapti Sutra & Chandra Prajñapti Sutra: Deal with astronomical calculations (movements of celestial bodies, day length, seasons, solstices), each with 2200 verses.
- Jambudvipa Prajñapti Sutra: Focuses on calculations and detailed descriptions of the Jambu continent, with 4500 verses.
- Nirayāvalī Sutra: Depicts a war and the rebirth of King Srenika's 10 sons in hell.
- Kalpavātāmsaka Sutra: Narrates the life stories of 10 princes of King Srenika and Padmakumara.
- Puṣpika Upanga Sutra: Contains 10 lessons on various deities and lay followers.
- Puṣpacūlikā Sutra: Describes the previous births of 10 goddesses.
- Vṛṣṇidaśā Sutra: Contains 10 stories of the Yadu dynasty, including sons of King Andhaka Vṛṣṇi. The last five Upangas are collectively called "Nirayavali Panchaka."
Ten Prajñāpanā Sutras (Payanna Sutras): These deal with specific practices and sentiments.
- Aurapaccakhāṇa Sutra: Deals with final religious practice and improving one's death.
- Bhattapariṇā Sutra: Describes three types of death and knowledge.
- Sansthāraka Sutra: Extols the practice of "Samstāraka" (voluntary fasting till death).
- Tandula-vichāliya Sutra: Called an "ocean of detachment," detailing food consumption over 100 years.
- Chandavijaya Sutra: Explains religious practices for improving death.
- Devendra-stuti Sutra: Presents hymns to the Lord by Indra.
- Marana Samadhi Sutra: Details the final religious practice and summarizes 8 chapters on death.
- Mahapratyakhyana Sutra: Focuses on monastic practices at the time of death.
- Gaṇividyā Sutra: Summarizes treatises on astrology.
- Maha Prataykkhana Sutra: Focuses on monastic practices at the time of death. (This appears to be a repetition or similar to the 9th).
- The document notes that these 10 Payannas are approximately 2500 verses in total, and some may substitute Chandavijaya with Gacchachara.
Six Cheda Sutras: These deal with rules, exceptions, and vows, and their study is restricted to highly qualified monks. They include:
- Nishitha Sutra
- Mahanishitha Sutra
- Vyavahara Sutra
- Jitakalpa Sutra
- Panchakalpa Sutra
- Dasha Shruta Skandha Sutra
Four Mula Sutras: These are fundamental texts.
- Dashavaikalika Sutra: Considered a "lake of nectar" for monks and nuns in the fifth era, with 10 lessons and two appendices, totaling 700 verses.
- Uttaradhyayana Sutra: Contains the last sermons of Lord Mahavira, detailing detachment and monastic conduct in 36 lessons, with about 2000 verses.
- Niryukti Sutra: Discusses conduct and behavior, including "Pindaniryukti" (method of receiving food), avoiding faults, and reasons for eating or not eating.
- Avashyaka Sutra: Essential for all four parts of the Jain community (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen), it includes six daily obligatory duties: Samayika, Chaturvimshati Stava, Vandana, Pratikramana, Kayotsarga, and Pratikhhyana.
Two Chulikā Sutras: These are appendices or supplementary texts.
- Nandi Sutra: Contains hymns to Lord Mahavira, descriptions of the Sangha, names of Tirthankaras and Ganadharas, the Sthaviravali (lineage of elders), and the five types of knowledge, with about 700 verses. It's considered the "key to all Agamas."
- Anuyogadvāra Sutra: Although appearing later in the list, it's the first text a learner should study. It explains the four "Anuyogas" (explanatory devices): Utkrama, Nikshepa, Anugama, and Nay. It teaches the path of spiritual practice through resolve and detachment, with 2000 verses.

Specific Focus on Prashna Vyakarana Sutra:

The latter part of the document delves into the Prashna Vyakarana Sutra in detail, explaining its structure within the Angas. It highlights that the sutra is divided into two parts:

Ashrava Skandha (Part of influx of karma): This section details the five "Adharma Dvaras" (ways of unrighteousness) which lead to karma:
1. Pranatipata (Violence): Describing violence in various forms, its causes, and consequences.
2. Mrushavada (Falsehood): Explaining the nature and consequences of lying.
3. Adattadana (Stealing): Detailing theft, its perpetrators, and outcomes.
4. Abrahmacharya (Non-celibacy): Discussing the nature and consequences of sensual indulgence.
5. Parigraha (Possession): Explaining the nature and results of attachment and accumulation. Each of these is considered a "door of unrighteousness."
Samvara Skandha (Part of stopping karma): This section outlines the five "Samvara Dvaras" (ways of self-control) which counter the influx of karma:
1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Describing the essence of non-violence, its importance, and its practice, considered the first "door of righteousness."
2. Satya (Truthfulness): Explaining the importance and practice of truth.
3. Aseteya (Non-stealing): Detailing the principle of not taking what is not freely given.
4. Brahmacharya (Celibacy): Discussing the practice of chastity and restraint.
5. Aparigraha (Non-possession): Explaining the detachment from material possessions.

The document then provides extensive scriptural text (in Prakrit/Apabhramsa) detailing the consequences of each of these unrighteous practices and the benefits of practicing the righteous ones, often with graphic descriptions of suffering in various realms of existence. It emphasizes that there is no liberation without expiating these karmas.

Overall Impression:

The "Agam Guna Manjusha" series, as represented by this volume on the Prashna Vyakarana Sutra, aims to be an educational resource for Jain followers. It meticulously categorizes the vast Jain canon and provides concise yet informative summaries of each scripture's core themes, making them accessible to a wider audience while retaining the depth of the original teachings. The detailed explanation of the Prashna Vyakarana Sutra highlights its significance in outlining the path of unrighteousness and self-control, crucial for spiritual progress in Jainism.