Agam 19 Upang 08 Niryavalika Sutra Sthanakvasi

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Niryavalika Sutra" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Agam 19 Upang 08 Niryavalika Sutra Author: Ghasilal Maharaj Publisher: A B Shwetambar Sthanakwasi Jain Shastroddhar Samiti

This summary is based on the provided Gujarati and Hindi text and its commentary, offering insights into the structure, content, and philosophical underpinnings of the Niryavalika Sutra.

1. Introduction and Scope:

• Holy Recitation: The text begins with the traditional Jain invocation "Namo Arihantanam," "Namo Siddhanam," etc., acknowledging the five supreme beings in Jainism.
• Author and Publisher: The work is attributed to Acharya Ghasilal Maharaj, with the publication by Shri Shwetambar Sthanakwasi Jain Shastroddhar Samiti, indicating it belongs to the Sthanakwasi tradition of Jainism.
• Commentary: The text features a commentary titled "Sundar Bodhini" by Jainacharya Pujya Ghasilalji Maharaj, further enriched by Hindi and Gujarati translations. This signifies a scholarly approach aimed at making the complex Jain scriptures accessible to a wider audience.
• Agam Tradition: The Niryavalika Sutra is identified as an "Upang," which are supplementary texts to the main Jain Agamas. It is specifically presented as part of Agam 19, Upang 08, highlighting its position within the Jain scriptural canon.

2. Philosophical Context (Pravachana):

• The Nature of Suffering: The text vividly describes the inherent suffering of all beings in the worldly existence (samsara). It portrays life as a cycle of pain, where beings, despite seeking happiness, are ensnared by desires, senses, ignorance, delusion (moha), passions (kashayas), negligence (pramada), and negative intentions (ashubha yoga).
• The Role of Karma: The text emphasizes how these negative states lead to the binding of karmas, resulting in rebirth in lower realms like hell (naraka) and infernal existence (nigoda). It highlights the difficulty of attaining a human birth, even a single-sensed one, after falling into these lower realms.
• The Path to Liberation: The core message presented is that the Jinavani (the teachings of the Jinas) offers the path to overcome suffering, eliminate physical and mental distress, and escape the cycle of birth and death. This path is illuminated through the fourfold anuyogas: Charan-Karananuyoga, Dharma-Kathanuyoga, Ganitanuyoga, and Dravyanuyoga.
• Niryavalika's Place: Niryavalika and four other Upangas are identified as being within the Dharma-Kathanuyoga, indicating their narrative and illustrative purpose in conveying Jain principles.

3. Content Summary of the Niryavalika Sutra:

The text is structured into five "Vargas" (sections), each containing a specified number of "Adhyayanas" (chapters). The summary details the content of each Vargas:

• Varga 1: Niryavalika (10 Adhyayanas):

  • Narrative Focus: This section primarily describes the lineages and actions of ten princes, the sons of King Shrenik and his queens.
  • Key Figures: The narrative revolves around King Shrenik, his queens (Nanda, Chellana, Kali, etc.), and their sons, particularly Abhayakumar and Kunika.
  • Central Story: A significant part of this section recounts the conflict between Kunika and his father Shrenik, including Kunika's rebellion, Shrenik's imprisonment, and eventual death. It also details the tragic fate of Kunika's ten sons (Kal, Sukal, Mahakal, Krishna, etc.) in a battle against Chetaka, their rebirth in hell due to their karma.
  • Moral Lesson: The story of Kunika's interaction with his mother Chellana, highlighting Chellana's filial piety and Kunika's remorse, serves as a powerful lesson on righteousness and the consequences of misdeeds.

• Varga 2: Kalpavartansika (10 Adhyayanas):

  • Focus: This section describes ten princes (Padma, Mahapadma, etc.) who were sons of the ten princes from the first Varga (and grandsons of King Shrenik).
  • Spiritual Path: It details their renunciation, spiritual practices, eventual attainment of celestial birth, and their future liberation in Mahavideha.

• Varga 3: Pushpita (10 Adhyayanas):

  • Focus: This section describes ten celestial beings (Chandra, Surya, Shukra, etc.) and their previous births.
  • Spiritual Merit: It highlights how their pious deeds and devotion led to their celestial existence and their eventual liberation in Mahavideha.

• Varga 4: Pushpachulika (10 Adhyayanas):

  • Focus: This section describes ten celestial goddesses and their previous lives.
  • Devotional Aspect: It emphasizes their devotion and good deeds leading to celestial rebirths and eventual liberation.

• Varga 5: Vrshnidasaha (12 Adhyayanas):

  • Focus: This section details the lives of twelve princes, including Nishadh, Mayani, etc.
  • Stories of Renunciation and Liberation: The narrative follows their spiritual journeys, highlighting their renunciation, asceticism, and eventual attainment of liberation. It includes the story of Nishadh Kumar, his devotion to Lord Arishtanemi, and his path to enlightenment.

4. Key Jain Concepts Illustrated:

• Karma and Rebirth: The text repeatedly illustrates how actions (karma) in this life influence future births and suffering in the cycle of samsara. The fate of the ten sons of Kunika and their rebirth in hell is a prime example.
• Renunciation (Pravrajya): The stories of various princes and individuals embracing the ascetic path (pravrajya) emphasize the Jain ideal of renouncing worldly pleasures for spiritual liberation.
• Righteousness and Virtue: The text extols virtues like piety, devotion, adherence to vows (samiti and gupti), self-control, penance (tapas), and adherence to dharma. The detailed descriptions of exemplary figures like Chellana and the principles of the five-fold vows are central.
• The Importance of Jain Philosophy: The introduction and the explanation of the four anuyogas underline the comprehensive nature of Jain teachings, which aim at guiding beings towards ultimate salvation.
• Role of Teachers and Guidance: The narratives often feature interactions with enlightened beings like Lord Mahavir, Lord Arishtanemi, and Acharyas, who provide guidance and expound the path to liberation.

5. Commentary and Accessibility:

• "Sundar Bodhini" Commentary: The presence of the "Sundar Bodhini" commentary is significant, indicating an effort to explain the profound philosophical concepts and narratives in a clear and understandable manner.
• Multi-Lingual Approach: The inclusion of Hindi and Gujarati translations signifies a commitment to making the text accessible to a broad audience, transcending linguistic barriers within the community.

In essence, the Niryavalika Sutra, as presented with the Sundar Bodhini commentary, serves as a didactic text within the Sthanakwasi Jain tradition. It utilizes compelling narratives of princes, queens, and celestial beings to illustrate core Jain principles such as the law of karma, the importance of renunciation, the path to liberation through right conduct and knowledge, and the ultimate goal of attaining salvation.