Agam 11 Ang 11 Vipak Sutra Sthanakvasi

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the translated content:

The text is identified as "Agam 11 Ang 11 Vipak Sutra Sthanakvasi," authored by Ghasilal Maharaj and published by A B Shwetambar Sthanakvasi Jain Shastroddhar Samiti. The provided text includes preliminary pages, the introduction (Prastavana), guidelines for study (Swadhyay mate khas suchana), tables of contents, and then the beginning of the text itself, specifically the first chapter (Adhyayan 1) of the first section (Shruta Skandha) of the Vipak Sutra.

Book Title: Agam 11 Ang 11 Vipak Sutra Sthanakvasi Author: Ghasilal Maharaj Publisher: A B Shwetambar Sthanakvasi Jain Shastroddhar Samiti

Overall Summary of the Provided Content:

The provided text is primarily an introduction and the beginning of the Vipak Sutra, an important Jain scripture. It details the book's background, its significance, and introduces the first chapter, which focuses on the city of Champanagari, the park of Purnabhadra, and the presence of Lord Mahavir and his disciple Sudharma Swami. The text also includes detailed introductory explanations of Jain concepts, the structure of the Agamas, and the importance of the Vipak Sutra in understanding karma and its consequences.

Key Sections and Their Content:

1. Preliminary Pages (Page 1-5): These pages contain the Jain salutation (Navkar Mantra), the title of the book, acknowledgments of the plan organizers (Shri Chandra P. Doshi), author information (Ghasilal Maharaj), publisher details (Akhil Bharat S. S. Jain Shastroddhar Samiti, Rajkot), publication details (Vir Samvat 2485, Vikram Samvat 2015, AD 1959), and contact information.

2. Introduction (Prastavana) (Page 6-15):

   • Significance of Vipak Sutra: It is the 11th of the 11 Angas, also known as Kvipak Dashā. It describes the consequences (Vipak) of good and bad actions (Karmas) of the soul, which manifest as feelings (Vedanā).
   • Structure: The sutra is divided into two main sections (Shruta Skandhas): the Dukh Vipak Skandha (which is extensive and describes the suffering of sinful beings who eventually attain liberation through self-effort) and the Sukh Vipak Skandha (which is brief and describes virtuous beings who, through Lord Mahavir's teachings and following the Śrāvaka dharma, quickly attain liberation in the same life). Each section has ten chapters (Adhyayan).
   • Origin: These chapters are presented as answers by Jambūswami to questions posed to Sudharma Swami, the fifth Ganadhara of Lord Mahavir.
   • Linguistic and Historical Context: The entire sutra is in prose, with minimal use of compound words. Its language is important for linguistic study. Sanskrit commentary by Abhaydev Suri exists. It was also transcribed in a manuscript compiled by Arisinh Rana in VS 1582. Mention is made of Weber's analysis of the sutra in the 'Indian Antiquary'.
   • Content Highlights: The sutra details the cities visited by Lord Mahavir, the parks where His congregations (Samavasarana) took place, the Yaksha deities of those parks, and various individuals of historical importance mentioned, such as kings, queens, princes, merchants, householders, physicians, courtesans, artists, officials, and even specific individuals like Duryodhana (a jailer), Nirnayn (a meat merchant), Chitrak (a court painter), Dhanvantari (royal physician), Samudradatt (fisherman), Prithvishri and Kamadhavaja (courtesans), Priyaseen (a eunuch), and the Rashtrakutas. It provides insights into the customs and practices of that era, with useful references given briefly.
   • Geographical and Social Details: Various cities are named, including Mrigagrama, Vanijgrama, Purimatala, Mathura, Pataliputra, Rajagriha, Hastinapur, Vanarasi, Saket (Ayodhya), etc., many of which are historically significant. The names of parks like Chandanapadapaka, Dutiplasha, Amoghadarshi, Devramana are also mentioned, with their Yaksba guardians.
   • Detailed Examples: The introduction provides specific examples of characters like Shatānik, his queen Mrigadevi, their son Uday, Uday's queen Padmavati. It describes merchants, their trade, a jailer named Duryodhana, a meat seller named Nirnan, a painter named Chitrak, King Dhanvantari, a fisherman Samudradatta, courtesans Prithvishri and Kamadhavaja, and the eunuch Priyaseen. It also touches upon the punishments for certain offenses and the customs of the time.

3. Rules for Study (Swadhyay mate khas suchana / Swadhyay ke pramukh niyam) (Page 10-14): This section provides detailed instructions on when and how to study the original text (Mulpath) and translations, outlining 32 occasions for Asvadhyay (times when study is forbidden), categorized into:

   • Ten related to the Sky (Akash Sambandhi): Meteor showers, direction fires, thunder, falling rocks (Nirghat), lightning, specific lunar phases (Yūpak), flashes of light (Yakshādīpta), misty fog (Dhūmikā Krushna, Mahikā Shweta), and dust storms (Raj-uddhat).
   • Ten related to the Physical Body (Audārik Sharir Sambandhi): Bones, flesh, blood, broken eggs, excreta/urine, crematorium grounds, eclipses (Chandra-Grahan, Surya-Grahan), royal unrest (Rajavyagrata), death of a ruler, and the presence of a corpse within a certain distance.
   • Other prohibitions: Mention of four major festivals (Mahotsav) and four specific days (Pratipada - the day after a full moon in Krishna Paksha) that fall after these festivals. It also mentions avoiding study during twilight periods when the sky is red.
   • Important Note: The rules for Asvadhyay apply only to the original text, not to translations. Emphasis is placed on respecting the instructions of elders or gurus during such times.

4. Content of the First Chapter (Adhyayan 1) (Page 15 onwards):

   • Mangalacharan (Invocation): Begins with prayers and praises.
   • Avatarnika (Introduction to the Chapter): Explains that the text aims to generate detachment from worldly life by describing the results of karma.
   • The first sutra (Sutra 1): Introduces the city of Champanagari ("Te ṇam kāleṇaṁ teṇaṁ samayaṁṁ Cam pānāṁ nayarī hotthā"), its prosperity, and its location outside the city in the northeastern direction, the Purnabhadra park. It then mentions the presence of Lord Mahavir's disciple Arya Sudharma Swami with 500 disciples, arriving at the park and residing there. The presence of the assembly (Parishad) who came to listen to the discourse is also described.
   • The second sutra (Sutra 2): Jambūswami asks Sudharma Swami about the content of the 11th Anga, the Vipak Sutra. Sudharma Swami explains that the Vipak Sutra has two main sections: Dukh Vipak (misery-producing consequences) and Sukh Vipak (happiness-producing consequences).
   • The third sutra (Sutra 3): Gautam Swami inquires about the first section, Dukh Vipak. Sudharma Swami replies that this section contains ten chapters (Adhyayan), naming them: Mrigaputra, Ujjhitaka, Abhragna, Shakata, Brihaspati, Nandi, Udambara, Shaurya Datta, Devadatta, and Ajū.
   • The fourth sutra (Sutra 4): This sutra begins detailing the first chapter, Mrigaputra. It describes the city of Mrigagrama, the park of Chandana Padapa, and the Yaksha guardian there. It introduces King Vijaya of Mrigagrama, his queen Mrigavati, and their unfortunate son, Mrigaputra. Mrigaputra is described as being born blind, mute, deaf, lame, with a deformed body (Hunda Sansthan), and suffering from a wind-related illness. Due to his condition, his mother Mrigavati kept him hidden in a basement room, providing for him secretly.
   • Subsequent Sutras (5 onwards): The text continues to detail the story of Mrigaputra, the wandering blind man in Mrigagrama, Lord Mahavir's arrival in Champanagari, Gautam Swami's subsequent inquiry about Mrigaputra and his previous life, and the subsequent discourse by Lord Mahavir. It also introduces the concept of karma and its manifold consequences, tracing the future lives of characters like the unjust ruler Ekadi Rashtrakuta, and detailing the consequences of their actions.

Overall Impression:

The provided text offers a deep dive into the initial parts of the Vipak Sutra, emphasizing its pedagogical value in understanding Jain philosophy regarding karma, reincarnation, and the path to liberation. The detailed introduction and the specific examples used to illustrate concepts highlight the text's commitment to providing comprehensive Jain education. The inclusion of rules for study underscores the rigorous approach to spiritual learning within Jainism.