Agam 24 Chatusharan Sutra Satik Gujarati Anuvad

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, focusing on the "Agam 24 Chatusharan Sutra Satik Gujarati Anuvad":

Book Title: Agam 24 Chatusharan Sutra Satik Gujarati Anuvad (Agam Sutra with Commentary Translation)

Author: Muni Deepratnasagar (also transliterated as Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar)

Publisher: Deepratnasagar

Overall Purpose of the Publication:

This extensive publication series aims to make the sacred Jain Agamas accessible to a wider audience by providing original texts with scholarly Gujarati translations and commentaries. The specific volume in question, Part 28, focuses on a selection of important Jain scriptures.

Content of Part 28 (as indicated on Page 2):

This volume is part of a larger series of 42 parts, with the total cost of the complete set being ₹10,000. Part 28 specifically includes:

• Nirayāvalikā (The Five Nirayāvalikā Sutras): These are considered Upanga Sutras, ranking from 8 to 12 in sequence. These likely deal with the states of suffering in hellish realms.
• Payannās (Prakirṇa Sutras) - 10 + 1: This category includes ten Prakirṇa Sutras plus one additional supplementary one. The catalog lists:
  • Pushpikā
  • Chatusharan (The core subject of this summary)
  • Mahāpratyākhyāna
  • Tandula Vaichārika
  • Gachchhachara
  • Devendra Stava
  • Vrishnidasha
  • Kalpavatsikā
  • Pushpachūlikā
  • Ātur Pratyākhyāna
  • Bhaktaparignyā
  • Samstāraka
  • Ganividhā
  • Vīrastava
  • Chandravēdhyaka

Focus on Chatusharan Sutra (Based on Pages 16-25):

The provided text includes detailed commentary and translation specifically for the Chatusharan Sutra. This section highlights the following:

• Significance: The Chatusharan Sutra is described as being seed-like for attaining the highest state (paramapada), making it a spiritually beneficial study.
• Mangala (Auspicious Introduction): The text begins with auspicious recitations, including the utterance of 14 auspicious dreams and the Vir Namaskar mantra, indicating the importance of a pure beginning for such a significant text.
• Six Essential Duties (Sāmayikādi Āvashyak): The commentary links the understanding and practice of the Chatusharan Sutra to the purification achieved through the six essential Jain practices:
  1. Sāvadyoga Virati (Abstinence from Sinful Activities): Achieved through Sāmayika (meditation).
  2. Praise of Virtuous Qualities (Guṇōnkīrtan): Achieved through Chaturvīnśati Stava (Praise of 24 Tirthankaras).
  3. Veneration of the Virtuous (Guṇvant vandanā): Achieved through worship and bowing to the virtuous (Gurus).
  4. Condemnation of Mistakes (Khalit nindā): Achieved through Pratikramaṇa (confession and atonement).
  5. Remedy for Faults (Vraṇ chikitsā): Achieved through Kāyotsarga (standing still in meditation to burn karmas).
  6. Upholding Vows (Guṇadhāraṇā): Achieved through Pratyākhyāna (renunciation of actions).
• The Four Refuges (Chatuḥ Sharana): The core of the sutra revolves around seeking refuge in:
  1. Arihants: The enlightened ones who have conquered internal enemies (kashayas) and external ones.
  2. Siddhas: The liberated souls residing in the Siddhashila.
  3. Sādhus (Monks/Nuns): The spiritual practitioners who follow the path of liberation.
  4. Dharma (The Jain Path/Teachings): The righteous way of life as taught by the Tirthankaras.
• Benefits of the Four Refuges: These refuges are described as destroyers of the four types of downfall (chaturnmati nāshak) and lead to the fifth state of liberation (Pañchami gati). They are essential for spiritual progress and avoiding rebirth in lower realms.
• Detailed Praises and Supplications: The sutra includes extensive verses (Sutras 13-48) detailing the glories and qualities of Arihants, Siddhas, Sadhus, and Dharma. These verses are rich in devotional language and highlight specific attributes like:
  • Arihants: Conquerors of desire, anger, pride, greed, enemies, possessors of 34 extraordinary virtues (atisaya), possessors of pure speech, and teachers of the path to liberation.
  • Siddhas: Souls freed from eight types of karmas, possessing inherent knowledge and bliss, residing at the apex of the universe, and possessing immeasurable power.
  • Sadhus: Those who have renounced worldly attachments, possess various spiritual powers (laddhis), are free from anger and deceit, live virtuously, and are embodiments of compassion and wisdom.
  • Dharma: The righteous path that destroys karmic impurities, leads to pure birth, removes affliction, and provides eternal happiness.
• Importance of Adherence: The text emphasizes that neglecting these four refuges and the broader Jain principles (like the four angas of Dharma: Dāna, Shīla, Tapa, Bhāvanā) leads to a wasted human life and regret, even for celestial beings.
• Concluding Advice: The sutra concludes with the importance of meditating on the verses, avoiding the enemy of negligence (pramāda), and regularly practicing the teachings, especially during times of adversity or peace, to attain auspicious results and ultimate liberation.

Overall Contribution of Muni Deepratnasagar:

The publication series, under the guidance of Muni Deepratnasagar, is presented as a monumental effort to preserve and disseminate Jain Agamic knowledge. The preface acknowledges the significant contributions and financial support from various Jain sanghs and individuals, underscoring the collaborative nature of this scholarly endeavor. The translator and commentator's dedication to providing detailed, accurate, and accessible translations is evident in the thoroughness of the commentary.

In essence, this work is a vital resource for understanding and practicing the core tenets of Jainism, particularly through the profound wisdom contained within the Chatusharan Sutra and the other scriptures presented in this volume.