Agam 15 Upang 04 Pragnapana Sutra Part 01 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Agam 15 Upang 04 Pragnapana Sutra Part 01," based on the Gujarati text and its English translation of the Editors' Note:

Title: Agam 15 Upang 04 Pragnapana Sutra Part 01 (Also known as Pannavanasuttam)

Author(s): Shyamacharya (attributed author of the original text), Shyamacharya, Punyavijay, Dalsukh Malvania, Amrutlal Bhojak (Editors)

Publisher: Mahavir Jain Vidyalay

Publication Details: First Published: 1969 (Vira Samvat 2495 / Vikrami Samvat 1925)

Overall Nature of the Text:

The Pragnapana Sutra is an important Upanga Agam of Jainism. It is a philosophical text that delves into the intricacies of Jain cosmology, metaphysics, and ethics. This particular volume, Part 01, focuses on presenting the complete text of the original sutra. The subsequent part is expected to contain detailed appendices, introductions, and editorial notes.

Key Aspects of Part 01 (as gleaned from the provided pages):

Theological Framework:
- The text begins with traditional invocations and salutations to the Jina, particularly Lord Mahavir, and the lineage of Āgamāchāryas and Mahārishis who propagated the teachings.
- It acknowledges the profound nature of the sutra, dealing with "deep principles" related to the soul (Jiva) and non-soul (Ajiva) entities.
Editorial and Publication Process:
- The publication is presented as a significant undertaking by Shri Mahavira Jaina Vidyalaya, as part of a larger project to publish critical editions of all Jain Āgamas.
- The editors, Muni Punyavijayaji, Pt. Dalsukh Malvania, and Pt. Amritlal Mohanlal Bhojak, express their gratitude to the institutions and individuals who supported the project.
- The text utilizes nine different manuscripts (mss.) for its critical edition, ranging from ancient palm-leaf manuscripts to paper manuscripts and a printed model. The oldest are dated to the 14th century V.S.
- The editors outline their critical methodology in the Editors' Note, referring to their previous work on the Nandisutra and Anuyogadvāraiṇ Sutra.
- The publication was celebrated on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Muni Punyavijayaji's initiation, with financial contributions from various Jain communities and individuals, notably the Vadodara Shri Sangh.
Content Structure (Outline of Topics Covered):
- The sutra is structured into several major sections or "pads" (chapters/topics). Based on the provided table of contents, these include:
  - First Pad (Pragnapana Pad): This initial section introduces the fundamental concepts of the sutra, including auspicious beginnings, the subject matter, and the classification of Ajiva and Jiva entities.
    - Ajiva (Non-soul) Prāganā: This covers form-containing (rupya) and formless (arupya) ajiva substances. Rupya Ajiva is detailed by its qualities: color (varna), smell (gandha), taste (rasa), touch (sparsha), and form (samsthana), along with their various types.
    - Jiva (Soul) Prāganā: This section begins by classifying souls into two broad categories: those that have attained liberation (Asamsāri Jiva) and those still in the cycle of birth and death (Samsāri Jiva).
      - Asamsāri Jiva: Further divided into those who attained liberation immediately (anantar siddha) and those who attained it after a process (parampara siddha).
      - Samsāri Jiva: Classified based on the number of senses, starting with the one-sensed beings (Ekendriya Jiva) and progressing through two-sensed (Dvi-indriya), three-sensed (Tri-indriya), four-sensed (Chatur-indriya), and five-sensed (Pancendriya) beings.
  - Second Pad (Sthana Pad): This section deals with the "places" or abodes where various types of beings reside, from hellish beings (Narakas) to celestial beings (Devas) and Siddhas.
  - Third Pad (Bahuvaktavya Pad): This extensive section focuses on "many-sided descriptions" or "a-bahu-vaktavya" (a discussion of the relative numerical strength or distribution) of various entities, including the cardinal directions (disha), modes of existence (gati), sense organs (indriya), bodily types (kaya), mental activities (yoga), passions (kashaya), psychic colors (leshya), correct faith (samyaktva), knowledge (jnana), perception (darshana), control (samyama), consciousness (upayoga), sustenance (ahara), language (bhasha), and characteristic qualities (gati, lekshya, etc.). This is a highly detailed and analytical part of the sutra.
  - Subsequent Padas (indicated in the table of contents but not fully detailed in the provided text): The table of contents suggests further sections on:
    - Fourth Pad (Sthiti Pad): Discusses the lifespan or duration of existence for various beings.
    - Fifth Pad (Vishesha Pad): Deals with special or specific characteristics of beings.
    - Sixth Pad (Vyutkrānti Pad): Likely addresses the process of transmigration or rebirth.
    - Seventh Pad (Uchchvāsa Pad): Discusses breathing or vital functions.
    - Eighth Pad (Samjna Pad): Covers consciousness, awareness, or cognitive states.
    - Ninth Pad (Yoni Pad): Addresses the origin or birth of beings.
    - Tenth Pad (Charama Pad): Discusses ultimate or final states.
    - Eleventh Pad (Bhasha Pad): Deals with language and speech.
    - Twelfth Pad (Sharira Pad): Focuses on the types of bodies.
    - Thirteenth Pad (Parinama Pad): Discusses transformations or states of being.
    - Fourteenth Pad (Kashaya Pad): Explains the passions or afflictions.
    - Fifteenth Pad (Indriya Pad): Details the sensory organs.
    - Sixteenth Pad (Yoga Pad): Covers mental, verbal, and physical activities.
    - Seventeenth Pad (Leshya Pad): Discusses psychic colors.
    - Eighteenth Pad (Kaya-sthiti Pad): Deals with the duration of existence in different body-types.
    - Nineteenth Pad (Samyaktva Pad): Focuses on right faith.
    - Twentieth Pad (Chara-ma Pad): Discusses ultimate or final states.
    - Twenty-first Pad (Avagahana Pad): Addresses the spatial extent or occupation of beings.
    - Twenty-second Pad (Kriya Pad): Covers actions and activities.
    - Twenty-third Pad (Karma Prakriti Pad): Details karmic bondage and types.
    - Twenty-fourth Pad (Karma Bandha Pad): Expounds on the process of karmic bondage.
    - Twenty-fifth Pad (Karma Bandha Veda Pad): Discusses the experience of karma.
    - Twenty-sixth Pad (Karma Veda Vedaka Pad): Covers those who experience karma.
    - Twenty-seventh Pad (Ahara Pad): Deals with sustenance and nourishment.
    - Twenty-eighth Pad (Bhava Pad): Discusses states of existence or disposition.
Nature of the Content:
- The Pragnapana Sutra is known for its systematic and detailed enumeration and classification of various entities within the Jain worldview.
- It explores the permutations and combinations of qualities, states, and locations associated with souls and other substances.
- The text emphasizes the concept of a-bahu (numerical distribution or relative quantity) when discussing various categories of beings, which is a significant aspect of Jain logic and epistemology.

Significance:

The Pragnapana Sutra, as represented by this first part, is a foundational text for understanding the Jain perspective on the diversity of existence, the nature of the soul, and the intricate details of the cosmos. Its systematic approach and meticulous classifications are characteristic of the Āgamic literature. The critical edition aims to provide an accurate and reliable version of this important scripture for scholarly and devotional study.