Agam 18 Upang 07 Jambudveep Pragnapti Sutra Part 03 Sthanakvasi Gujarati - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Agam 18 Upang 07 Jambudveep Pragnapti Sutra Part 03," authored by Ghasilal Maharaj and published by A B Shwetambar Sthanakwasi Jain Shastroddhar Samiti. This summary is based on the provided Gujarati text, which includes a Hindi translation and commentary.

Overall Subject Matter:

The Jambudveep Prajnapti Sutra, particularly this third part, is a foundational Jain text within the Upanga Agamas. It provides a detailed cosmological and astronomical account of Jambudveep, the central continent in Jain cosmology, and its surrounding celestial bodies, primarily focusing on the Sun and Moon. The text delves into the mechanics, characteristics, and relationships of these celestial entities, offering a framework for understanding time, space, and celestial phenomena within the Jain worldview.

Key Sections and Concepts Covered in the Provided Text (Pages 1-176):

The provided text is extensive, covering various aspects of the Jambudveep cosmology. Based on the chapter headings and the content, the main themes include:

Invocation and Introduction (Pages 1-4):
- Standard Jain invocations (Navkar Mantra).
- Acknowledgement of the author (Ghasilal Maharaj) and the publication project.
- Information about the publisher and catalog link.
- Identification of the text as the third part of the Jambudveep Prajnapti Sutra, with a Hindi-Gujarati translation and commentary.
Rules for Studying the Sutra (Pages 5-9):
- Specific times for studying the original text (Mool Path) and its translations.
- Prohibitions during certain times of the day and specific lunar phases.
- Detailed list of 32 "A-swadhyaya" (times when study is forbidden) related to:
  - Celestial Phenomena (10 points): Meteor showers (Ulkapat), directional fires (Digdah), loud thunder (Garjarav), divine sounds (Nirdhat), lightning (Vidyut), specific moonlit conditions (Yupak), flashes of light (Yakshadipt), black fog (Dhumika Krishn), white fog (Mahika Shwet), and dust storms (Rajo Udghat).
  - Physical/Bodily Events (10 points): Visibility of bone, flesh, or blood; broken eggs; visible excrement or urine with foul smell; proximity to cremation grounds (Smashan); lunar and solar eclipses; royal conflicts (Raj Vyudgat); death of a king or prominent person; presence of a dead body (Audarik Sharir).
  - Festivals and Specific Days (8 points): Four major festival full moons and the four subsequent first lunar day (Pratipada) of the dark fortnight.
  - Time-based prohibitions: Redness of directions at dawn/dusk, midday, and midnight.
- Emphasis that these rules apply to the Mool Path and not translations.
- Emphasis on humility and following the guidance of elders.
Detailed Description of Celestial Bodies and Their Movements (Pages 10-41):
- Seventh Vaksaskar (Chapter): Deals with the numbers and descriptions of the Sun, Moon, planets, Nakshatras, and stars.
- Sun Mandal (Solar System):
  - Number of Sun Mandals (184).
  - Division of Mandals by region (Jambudveep, Lavana Samudra).
  - Detailed analysis of Mandala size, distance, and proportions.
  - Discussion on Muhurta Gati (movement per unit of time) of the Sun.
  - Calculations for the Sun's speed and distances, including the concept of Abadha (clearance or separation).
  - Description of Tapakshetra (area of heat/illumination) and its shape (compared to a Kadamba flower).
  - Detailed calculations involving Yojana (a unit of distance) and its divisions, illustrating the vastness of the celestial system.
  - The concept of Purushchhaya (shadow cast by a person) used metaphorically to understand celestial distances.
  - Discussion on the increase and decrease of day and night lengths throughout the year and its relation to the Sun's position.
Moon Mandal (Lunar System):
- Number of Moon Mandals (15).
- Similar detailed analysis of Mandala size, distance, and proportions.
- Discussion on Muhurta Gati of the Moon.
- Detailed calculations and the concept of Abadha.
Nakshatra (Constellations):
- Number of Nakshatra Mandals (8 main groupings for 28 Nakshatras).
- Discussion on their movement (Muhurta Gati) and distances.
- Description of their shapes (Samsthan), compared to various objects like lotus, conch, trident, etc.
- Number of stars within each Nakshatra.
- The concept of Gotra (lineage or clan) associated with Nakshatras.
- The deities associated with each Nakshatra.
Planets (Graha):
- Mention of planets like Mangal (Mars), Budh (Mercury), Guru (Jupiter), Shukra (Venus), Shani (Saturn), etc.
- Their speeds and relative positions.
Stars (Tara):
- The concept of Tara Gana (groups of stars) and their immense numbers.
Time Measurement:
- Explanation of Muhurta (a unit of time), Ahōrātra (day-night cycle), Paksha (lunar fortnight), Masa (month), Ritu (season), Ayan (solstice period), and Samvatsara (year).
- Detailed calculations regarding the speed of celestial bodies per Muhurta.
- Explanation of the 30 Muhurtas in a day-night cycle and how they relate to celestial movements.
Festivals and Cycles:
- Mention of specific festival days and their astronomical significance.
Specific Concepts:
- Ayana: Uttarayan (Northern Hemisphere movement of the Sun) and Dakshinayan (Southern Hemisphere movement of the Sun).
- Samvatsara (Year): Classification into 5 types: Nakshatra Samvatsara, Chandra Samvatsara, Pramana Samvatsara, Lakshana Samvatsara, and Shanaishchara Samvatsara.
- Kala (Time): The cyclical nature of time and the beginning of new cycles.
- Rashi: The concept of zodiacal signs and their association with celestial movements.
- Influence of Karma: Implicitly, the celestial order is seen as a manifestation of karma.
The Role of Deities:
- Association of deities with specific Nakshatras.
- The concept of celestial beings and their lifespans in different realms.

Structure of the Text (Indicative of the Chapters/Dvars):

The text is structured into various "Dvars" (sections or gateways) that systematically explore different aspects of the subject. Based on the provided page numbers and topics, the Dvars mentioned are:

Saptam Vaksaskar (Seventh Chapter) - Deals with celestial bodies.
Surya Mandal Nirupan (Description of the Sun Mandala) - Focuses on the Sun.
Mandal Sankhya (Number of Mandalas)
Mandal Kshetra (Area of Mandalas)
Mandala Vikshambhadi (Size and other measures of Mandalas)
Meru Mandal ki Abadha (Clearance of Meru Mountain)
Mandal Ayamaadi Vruddhi Hani (Increase/Decrease in Mandala Size)
Muhurta Gati (Movement per Muhurta)
Din Ratri Vruddhi Hani (Increase/Decrease of Day/Night)
Tapakshetra ka Nirupan (Description of the Area of Heat)
Durasanadi Dwara (Concept of proximity and distance)
Grahaadi ki Sheegh Gatyaadi (Speed of Planets etc.)
Chandra ke Agra Mahishi ke Namadi ka Nirupan (Names of Consorts of the Moon)
Nakshatra ke Gotra ka Nirupan (Gotras of Nakshatras)
Nakshatra ki Gati ka Nirupan (Movement of Nakshatras)
Samvatsara ki Bhedo ka Nirupan (Types of Years)
Ek Samvatsara mein Mana Sankhya ka Nirupan (Number of Months in a Year)
Mase Parismaapaka Nakshatra ka Nirupan (Nakshatras that conclude months)
Karanon ki Sankhyaadi ka Nirupan (Number and details of Karanas)
Vastaav ka Nirupan (Description of seasons)
Nakshtra ke Samavarta ka Nirupan (Conjunction of Nakshatras)

Authoritative Tone and Jain Cosmology:

The text consistently adopts an authoritative tone, presenting these complex astronomical and cosmological details as established truths within the Jain tradition. It reflects a worldview where celestial bodies and their movements are intricately linked to time cycles, karma, and the overall structure of the universe as understood by Jainism. The detailed calculations and descriptions highlight a sophisticated understanding of mathematics and astronomy within ancient Indian traditions, specifically Jainism.

Language and Commentary:

The presence of a Hindi translation and commentary alongside the original Sanskrit/Prakrit text (indicated by the mix of scripts and terminology) suggests an effort to make this complex work accessible to a wider audience interested in Jain philosophy and cosmology. The commentary likely clarifies the intricate calculations and astronomical concepts presented in the Sutra.

Overall Significance:

This volume of the Jambudveep Prajnapti Sutra is a valuable resource for understanding Jain cosmology, astronomy, and the detailed framework of time measurement and celestial phenomena within the Jain Agamas. It provides a glimpse into the sophisticated scientific and philosophical underpinnings of Jainism.