Agam 11 Ang 11 Vipak Sutra Sthanakvasi Gujarati - Book Summary

The provided text is the Gujarati translation of the commentary "Vipaka Chandrika" on the Jain scripture "Vipaka Sutra," which is the eleventh Anga of the Agam. The text is authored by Ghasilal Maharaj and published by A.B. Shwetambar Sthanakvasi Jain Shastroddhar Samiti. The provided content details the introductory verses, the structure of the scripture, and the beginning of the commentary on the first part of the text, which deals with "Dukha Vipaka" (the consequences of suffering).

Here's a comprehensive summary based on the provided pages:

I. Introduction and General Information:

Title: Agam 11 Ang 11 Vipaka Sutra Sthanakvasi Gujarati
Author: Ghasilal Maharaj
Publisher: A B Shwetambar Sthanakvasi Jain Shastroddhar Samiti
Commentary: Vipaka Chandrika by Ghasilal Maharaj (also mentioned in Hindi and Gujarati)
Key Figures: Acharya Shri Ghanshilalji Maharaj, Muni Shri Kanhaiyalalji Maharaj, Shri Shantilal Mangaldasbhai Mahoday.
Publication Details: Second Edition, 1000 copies, published in Veer Samvat 2485 (1959 CE), Vikram Samvat 2015.
Purpose: The text aims to explain the "Vipaka Sutra," which elucidates the results of actions (karma) and aims to inspire detachment from worldly pleasures, leading to liberation (moksha) and true peace.

II. Special Instructions for Study (Aswadhyaya):

The text provides detailed rules regarding when the original text and its translations should not be studied (Aswadhyaya). These include:

Timing: Not to be studied during the first and fourth quarters of day and night, nor for two ghadi (48 minutes) during dawn, dusk, noon, and midnight. Specific times around sunrise and sunset are also excluded.
Personal Circumstances: Women during menstruation should not study or be present during the study.
Environmental Factors (32 incidents of non-study):
- Celestial (10): Meteor showers (Ulkapat), directional fires (Digdah), loud thunder (Garjarav), divine roars (Nirdhat), lightning flashes (Vidyut), specific moon and twilight combinations (Yupak), unusual celestial lights (Yakshadita), smoky fog (Dhumika Krishn), white fog (Mahika Shwet), and dust storms obscuring the sun (Rajo Udat).
- Physical/Earthly (10+): When bones, flesh, or blood are not completely burnt, not washed away, or are visible; broken eggs; presence of excrement/urine or its smell; proximity to cremation grounds (100 cubits); solar or lunar eclipses (specific durations); royal turmoil or wars (and one day/night after peace); death of a prominent figure until cremation and succession; presence of a dead body within or near the place of study (100 cubits); four major festivals and the four days following them (four Poornimas and their subsequent Pratipadas).
Important Note: These rules primarily apply to the original text. Translations are generally exempt. Humility and obedience to elders/gurus are emphasized during difficult times.

III. Outline of the Text:

The text provides a table of contents indicating the sequence of subjects covered in the Vipaka Sutra, which appears to be structured around various narratives and dialogues explaining karma and its consequences. The topics include:

The description of Champanagari and the arrival of Acharya Sudharma Swami.
The description of Jambuswami and his conversation with Sudharma Swami.
Numerous stories involving princes, merchants, prostitutes, individuals with specific afflictions (like blindness from birth), the Buddha's Samavasarana, and various karmic consequences.
The text is divided into "Dukha Vipaka" (consequences of suffering) and implicitly "Sukha Vipaka" (consequences of happiness) later in the commentary.
The narratives often begin with the setting (city, garden), characters involved (kings, merchants, spiritual figures), the karmic cause, the current suffering, and the path to liberation.

IV. Commencement of the Commentary on Dukha Vipaka:

The commentary begins with an "Avataranika" (introduction) explaining the purpose of the Vipaka Sutra. It states that beings in the cycle of birth and death are tormented by ignorance, lack of restraint, and passions, which lead to the binding of karma. The Sutra is revealed by the Lord to inspire detachment from the world by explaining the "Vipaka" (results) of various karmas.

The commentary then delves into the concepts of:

Asrava: The influx of new karma into the soul due to the soul's activities (Yoga).
Yoga: The movement of soul-substances caused by mind, speech, and body, classified into Manayoga, Vachanyoga, and Kayayoga.
Karma Bandha: The process by which karma attaches to the soul, likened to cooking after receiving ingredients.
Shubha Yoga and Ashubha Yoga: These lead to meritorious (punya) and sinful (papa) karma, respectively.
Samparayika Asrava and Irryapatha Asrava: The former is associated with passions (kashaya) and leads to the cycle of rebirth, while the latter is the karma associated with the soul's movement, even without passions.
Types of Samparayika Asrava: Detailed explanations of the factors contributing to the intensity of karmic bondage, including intensity of feelings (Tivra, Mand, Madhyam), knowledge (Gnyat, Agnyat), energy (Virya), and the basis of action (Adhikaran).
Adhikaran: Further broken down into Jivadhikaran (based on living beings) and Ajivadhikaran (based on non-living entities), with detailed sub-classifications for each, illustrating the various ways karma is generated.

V. Narratives and Examples:

The provided pages show the start of several narratives from the "Dukha Vipaka" section, including:

Champanagari: Description of the city and the arrival of Acharya Sudharma Swami.
Purnabhadra Udhyana: Description of a garden.
Jambuswami: Introduction to Jambuswami, a disciple of Sudharma Swami.
Mrigaputra: The story of a blind and mute prince born with physical deformities, highlighting the severe karmic consequences.
Blind Man: A story of a blind beggar, emphasizing the concept of dependence.
Bhagavan's Samavasarana: The description of the divine assembly of Lord Mahavir.
King Vijay and Queen Mrigadevi: Their story, including the birth of Mrigaputra.
Janamdh Purush: The story of a blind beggar.
Gautama Swami's Inquiry: Gautama Swami questioning Bhagavan Mahavir about the previous lives and karmic causes behind the observed suffering.
Shatadwar Nagar and Dhanapati Raja: Introduction to another city and king.
Ekadi Rashtrakuta: The story of a cruel and unjust king who inflicted suffering on his subjects.
16 Diseases: The king suffering from 16 diseases due to his past actions.
The King's Death and Rebirth: The king's death and subsequent rebirth in hell, then as a lion, and finally as a human.
Mrigaputra's Past Life as Ekadi Rashtrakuta: The connection between Mrigaputra's suffering and his past life.
The Story of Upala and Bhim Kutgrah: A story about a woman's cravings and a butcher's actions.
The Story of Nandisena: The tale of a prince who harbored ill intentions towards his father.
The Story of Shaurya Datta: A fisherman's life and the consequences of his actions.
The Story of Shaurya Datta's Rebirth: His subsequent lives and the karmic cycle.
The Story of Devdatta: A courtesan's life and karmic results.
The Story of Anju (Ujjit): A similar narrative of a life of indulgence leading to suffering.
The Story of Abhayasena: The prince who became a fierce warrior and faced karmic retribution.
The Story of Mahabal: A prince's life and his connection to past karma.
The Story of Mahachandra: A prince's life and his destiny.
The Story of Varadatta: A prince's life and his path.

Overall Theme:

The text, through its detailed narratives and explanations of karmic principles, aims to illustrate the Jain philosophy of karma and its inevitable consequences. It emphasizes that every action, driven by passions and intentions, leads to specific results in this life or future lives. The "Dukha Vipaka" section focuses on the suffering that arises from past negative actions, serving as a cautionary tale to inspire ethical conduct and spiritual discipline for the ultimate goal of liberation.