Agam 25 Aturpratyakhyana Sutra Satik Gujarati Anuvad

This document is the Gujarati translation and commentary of the Jain Agam Āturpratyākhyāna Sūtra, which is the 25th Prakirṇaka Sūtra. It is part of a larger series of Agam translations and commentaries by Muni Deepratnasagarji.

Here's a breakdown of the content:

Key Aspects of the Text:

• Title: Agam 25 Āturpratyākhyāna Sūtra Satik Gujarati Anuvad (Agam 25 Aturpratyakhyana Sutra with Commentary, Gujarati Translation).
• Author/Translator: Muni Deepratnasagarji.
• Publisher: Deepratnasagar.
• Content Focus: The Āturpratyākhyāna Sūtra deals with the contemplation and preparation for death, particularly focusing on the different types of death and the practices associated with them.
• Structure: The text includes the original Sūtra (verses) and a detailed Gujarati commentary (Vivēchan) that explains the verses.
• Key Concepts Discussed:
  • Types of Death: The text differentiates between "Bālpaṇḍit Maraṇ" (ignorant-wise death) and "Paṇḍit Maraṇ" (wise death).
    • Bālpaṇḍit Maraṇ: Described as a death of a householder (śrāvaka) who has taken limited vows (dēśavirati) but dies without proper preparation or final contemplation. It's also associated with dying before the completion of final resolutions or without performing the necessary spiritual practices (sallēkhanā).
    • Paṇḍit Maraṇ: Refers to the death of a spiritually mature individual, particularly a monk (sādhu), who dies with complete awareness, renunciation, and adherence to spiritual principles. This involves confessing sins, accepting penance, meditating, and observing vows until the end.
  • Vows and Practices: The text elaborates on the five small vows (aṇuvratas) and the seven vows of training (śikṣāvratas) for householders, and the extensive vows and practices for monks.
  • Confession and Renunciation: A significant portion of the text details the process of confession (pratikramaṇa or ālocanā) of all sins, renunciation of worldly desires, and the cultivation of equanimity and detachment (vairāgya). It lists numerous sins and negative qualities that one should contemplate and renounce.
  • Stages of Spiritual Practice: It highlights the importance of knowledge (jnana), perception (darśana), conduct (cāritra), and renunciation (pratyākhyāna) as crucial for achieving liberation.
  • Karma and Rebirth: The text touches upon the cycle of karma and rebirth, explaining how certain actions and attitudes during the transition of death can lead to unfavorable destinations (durgati) or favorable ones.
  • The Role of a Guru: The importance of seeking guidance from a Guru for confession and understanding spiritual practices is emphasized.
  • Aspiration for Liberation: The ultimate goal is to achieve liberation (mokṣa) by shedding all karmic bonds and attaining the eternal state of the soul.

Specific Content Highlights from the Sūtras and Commentary:

• Sūtra 1: Defines Bālpaṇḍit Maraṇ for a householder who dies with limited vows.
• Sūtras 2-5: Detail the five small vows (prāṇivadha, mṛṣāvāda, adatta, paradāna, parigraha), three subsidiary vows (digviramaṇa, anarthadaṇḍaviramaṇa, dēśāvakāśika), and four vows of training (bhōga, sāmāyika, atithisaṁvibhāga, auṣadha) for householders.
• Sūtras 6-9: Elaborate on the conditions leading to Bālpaṇḍit Maraṇ, such as dying suddenly without proper preparation, not having family consent, and not completing the final renunciation (sallēkhanā).
• Sūtra 10: Announces the discussion on Paṇḍit Maraṇ.
• Sūtra 11: Presents a comprehensive list of sins, vices, and negative emotions to be renounced, including lust, anger, greed, ignorance, attachment, aversion, pride, deceit, envy, fear, sorrow, and various forms of misconduct. The commentary provides detailed explanations for many of these terms.
• Sūtras 12-13: Expresses obeisance to the Tirthankaras and announces the renunciation of five major transgressions.
• Sūtras 14-18: Emphasize equanimity, non-violence, renunciation of desires, forgiveness, and the aspiration to follow the path shown by the Jinas. It also mentions the importance of contemplating the suffering in the cycle of birth and death.
• Sūtras 19-24: Focus on renouncing external and internal possessions, mental states like attachment, aversion, and delusion, and the practice of equanimity.
• Sūtras 25-29: Highlight the soul's eternal nature and the need for the soul to be the sole refuge in knowledge, perception, conduct, and renunciation.
• Sūtras 30-35: Discuss the renunciation of eight types of pride, four types of designations, three types of pride, and various vices, along with the importance of confession to a Guru.
• Sūtras 36-38: Categorize death into three types (child death, ignorant-wise death, wise death) and explain the consequences of dying with the wrong attitude, leading to unfavorable rebirths and prolonged suffering in the cycle of existence.
• Sūtras 39-46: Detail the specific unfavorable destinations (like specific types of celestial beings) that can result from various sins and wrong attitudes at the time of death, and the conditions for obtaining right perception (bodhi).
• Sūtras 47-52: Describe the experience of suffering in the cycle of birth and death, the insatiability of desires, and the dangers of consuming consecrated food (sacitta āhāra).
• Sūtras 53-58: Emphasize the importance of proper preparation for death, practicing renunciation with knowledge and contemplation, and following the teachings of the Jinas. The concept of "Chandraveṇaka Puruṣa" is used as an analogy for skillful practice and detachment.
• Sūtras 59-62: Stress the difficulty of contemplating extensive scriptures during the final moments and the importance of focusing on even a single verse or syllable related to the path of liberation. This focus leads to a favorable death and eventual liberation.
• Sūtras 63-68: Reiterate the monk's detachment from all worldly things and the importance of virtuous conduct, knowledge, and detachment for liberation.
• Sūtras 69-71: Conclude by emphasizing that a purified soul, free from passions, courageous, and vigilant, will attain the eternal abode of liberation (Siddhaśila).

Context of the Publication:

The initial pages provide extensive acknowledgments and details about the various publications of the publisher, including different types of Agam translations and commentaries, dictionaries, and other Jain literature. This indicates a significant effort in making Jain scriptures accessible to a wider audience. The book series "Agam Satik Anuvad" is a comprehensive effort to translate and explain all Jain Agams with their commentaries.

In essence, the Āturpratyākhyāna Sūtra translated and commented upon in this document serves as a spiritual guide for Jain followers, especially those facing the end of life, emphasizing the importance of right knowledge, right perception, right conduct, and right renunciation to achieve liberation.