Agam 19 Upang 08 Niryavalika Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha - Book Summary

This document, "Agam 19 Upang 08 Niryavalika Sutra Shwetambar Agam Guna Manjusha" authored by Gunsagarsuri and published by Jina Goyam Guna Sarvoday Trust Mumbai, is part of a larger collection of Jain Agamas. The provided pages offer a brief overview and introductions to various Jain scriptures, with a particular focus on the Upanga (secondary) texts.

Here's a summary of the key information presented, organized by the types of scriptures:

Overall Context:

The document is presented as part of "Agam-Guna-Manjusha" (A Treasury of the Qualities of Agamas), intended for private and personal use.
It aims to provide a concise introduction to 45 Agamas.

Classification of Jain Scriptures (as presented in the text):

The text broadly categorizes Jain scriptures into:

Eleven Angas (Main Scriptures):
- Achārāṅga-sūtra: Deals with the conduct of monks and householders, emphasizing ways of conduct (Charaṇānu-yoga).
- Sūyagaḍāṅga-sūtra (also known as Sūtra-Kṛtāṅga): Discusses various philosophical doctrines and classifications of thinkers (like ritualists, non-ritualists, etc.), with a focus on the teaching of entity (Dravyānu-yoga).
- Sthānāṅga-sūtra: Primarily focuses on calculation (Gaṇitānu-yoga) and touches upon other teachings, describing objects from one up to ten.
- Samavāyāṅga-sūtra: A compendium listing objects from one to a hundred, and then larger numbers up to crores.
- Vyākhyā-prajñapti-sūtra (Bhagavati-sūtra): The largest Agama, presented as a "treasure of gems." It contains question-and-answer sessions between Lord Mahāvīra and his disciple Gautama Ganadhara, covering all four types of teachings.
- Jñātādharma-Kathāṅga-sūtra: Primarily deals with religious discourses (Dharmakathānu-yoga), recounting past life stories.
- Upāsaka-daśāṅga-sūtra: Describes the twelve vows and the life stories of ten great Jain householders.
- Anta-kṛdaśāṅga-sūtra: Primarily focuses on religious discourses, detailing the life stories of enlightened souls who attained liberation.
- Anuttara-upapātika-daśāṅga-sūtra: Contains life stories of great householders who, after reaching heavenly realms, returned to attain liberation.
- Praśna-vyākaraṇa-sūtra: Primarily deals with the ways of conduct (Charaṇānu-yoga), answering questions posed by various beings, and describing transgressions and self-control.
- Vipāka-sūtra: Consists of two parts: one detailing the consequences of misery (through stories of sinful souls) and the other detailing the consequences of happiness (through stories of virtuous souls).
Twelve Upangas (Subordinate Scriptures):
- Uvvāyi-sūtra (also known as Oupapātika-sūtra): A subordinate text to Āchārāṅga, describing a city, austerities, and disciples of a monk.
- Rāyapaseṇīya-sūtra (also known as Rāyapraśnīya-sūtra): A subordinate text to Sūyagaḍāṅga, describing the story of King Pradesi and the worship of Jina idols.
- Jivābhigama-sūtra: A subordinate text to Sthānāṅga, analyzing the self and non-self, and describing worship rituals.
- Pannavaṇā-sūtra: A subordinate text to Samavāyāṅga, describing 36 steps or topics.
- Sūrya-prajñapti-sūtra and Candra-prajñapti-sūtra: Both deal with calculation (Gaṇitānu-yoga), describing celestial bodies and their movements.
- Jambūdvīpa-prajñapti-sūtra: Also deals with calculation, providing a detailed description of the Jambūdvīpa continent.
- Niryāvaḷi-pacaka (Niryāvali-sūtra): Describes a war caused by a necklace and an elephant, and the unfortunate fate of King Śreṇika's ten sons.
- Kalpāvatamsaka-sūtra: Contains life stories of princes.
- Puṣpika-upāṅga-sūtra and Puṣpacūlikā-upāṅga-sūtra: These are mentioned together, with the former having 10 lessons about celestial beings and the latter describing previous births of goddesses.
- Vṛṣṇidaśa-upāṅga-sūtra: Contains stories related to the Vṛṣṇi lineage.
Ten Payanna-sūtras (Prakirṇaka Sutras):
- Chaturśaraṇa Prakirṇaka Sutra: Describes the characteristics and acceptance of the four refuges (Arhat, Siddha, Sadhu, Gacchadhamma).
- Ātura-pratyākhyāna Prakirṇaka Sutra: Deals with final practices and improving one's death.
- Bhakta-parijñā Prakirṇaka Sutra: Describes different types of deaths of learned individuals (Pandita Mrityu).
- Sansthāraka Prakirṇaka Sutra: Extols the virtues of Samstara, a practice of renunciation.
- Tandula-vicāra Prakirṇaka Sutra: Known as an "ocean of detachment," it details the diet an individual soul might consume over 100 years.
- Chanda-vijaya Prakirṇaka Sutra: Explains practices to improve one's death.
- Devendra-stava Prakirṇaka Sutra: Presents hymns to God by Indra and related matters.
- Maraṇa-samādhi Prakirṇaka Sutra: Describes final practices related to death.
- Mahā-pratyākhyāna Prakirṇaka Sutra: Details practices for monks at the time of death.
- Gaṇividyā Prakirṇaka Sutra: Summarizes astrological texts.
Six Cheda-sūtras:
- Vyavahāra-sūtra, Niśītha-Sūtra, Mahā-niśītha-sūtra, Pañca-kalpa-sūtra, Daśa-śruta-skandha-sūtra, and Bhatkalpa-sūtra (likely Jītakalpa-sūtra): These deal with strict rules, exceptions, and atonement. Their study is restricted to highly qualified monks.
Four Mūla-sūtras:
- Daśavaikālika-sūtra: Described as a "lake of nectar" for monks and nuns in the fifth era, containing ten lessons and two colikas.
- Uttaradhyayana-sūtra: Contains the final sermons of Lord Mahāvīra, detailing detachment and monks' conduct.
- Anuyogadvāra-sūtra: Considered the "key to all Agamas," explaining scriptures through four "doors" (Utkrama, Nikṣepa, Anugama, Naya).
- Āvaśyaka-sūtra: Essential for all four orders of Jainism, describing six daily obligatory duties (Sāmayika, Caturviṃśati, Vandana, Pratikramaṇa, Kāyotsarga, Paccakkhāṇa).
Two Chūlikās (Appendices/Supplements):
- Nandi-sūtra: Contains hymns, similes for the Jain community, lists of Tirthankaras and Ganadharas, and the five types of knowledge.
- Anuyogadvāra-sūtra: (Mentioned again here, possibly due to its foundational nature).

Specific Focus on the Niryāvali-pacaka (Niryāvali-sūtras):

The text highlights the "Niryāvali-pacaka," which includes the Niryāvali-sūtra and four other Upangas. The Niryāvali-sūtra describes a terrible war in the avasarpiṇī (descending) period, sparked by a necklace and an elephant, where King Śreṇika's ten sons died and were reborn in hell. The text also provides detailed narratives of the stories within these Upangas, focusing on the lives, conduct, and rebirths of various individuals, including princes and divine beings, often illustrating the consequences of karma.

Content of the Original Text (based on the sample pages):

The majority of the provided pages contain excerpts from the Niryāvali-sūtra and the Kalpavadansika-varga (part of the Pushpika-upanga). These sections delve into specific narratives:

Niryāvali-sūtra (Chapter 1 - Kala): Describes the story of Prince Kala, son of King Kūṇika and Queen Kali. It recounts his participation in a fierce war, his death, and subsequent rebirth in the fourth hell. The narrative also details Queen Chellana's pregnancy cravings and the events leading to Kūṇika's birth and rise to power.
Kalpavadansika-varga (Chapter 1 - Padma): Details the story of Prince Padma, who embraces asceticism and achieves liberation.
Pushpika-upanga (Chapter 1 - Shri): Recounts the story of Goddess Shri and her past life.
Vṛṣṇidaśa-upāṅga (Chapter 1 - Niṣadha): Chronicles the life of Prince Niṣadha and his spiritual journey.
Pushpika-upanga (Chapter 4 - Bahuputrika): Tells the story of Goddess Bahuputrika and her spiritual path.
Pushpika-upanga (Chapter 5 - Pūrṇabhadra): Narrates the life of Pūrṇabhadra, who attained liberation.
Pushpika-upanga (Chapter 6-10 - Maṇibhadra, Datta, Śiva, Bala, and Anāḍhiya): These chapters continue the narratives of individuals who attained liberation.
Pushpacūlikā-upāṅga (Chapter 1 - Bhūta): Describes the story of Goddess Bhūta and her spiritual journey.
Pushpacūlikā-upāṅga (Chapter 2-10): Continues the narratives of other goddesses.

In essence, the document serves as a guide and introductory compilation to the vast body of Jain Agamic literature, offering summaries and glimpses into the narratives contained within these sacred texts. The emphasis is on the life stories and karmic consequences, illustrating the path to liberation as described in Jain philosophy.