Agam 26 Mahapratyakhyan Sutra Hindi Anuwad

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Agam 26 Mahapratyakhyan Sutra Hindi Anuwad" by Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Agam 26 Mahapratyakhyan Sutra Hindi Anuwad Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar Publisher: Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar

This text is a Hindi translation and commentary of the Mahapratyakhyan Sutra, which is the third Sutra within the Payannasutta section of the Jain Agamas. The translation and editing are credited to Agam Diwakar Muni Diparatnasagarji, who holds advanced degrees and is recognized as a 'Shrut Maharshi' (Great Sage of Scripture).

The core purpose of the Mahapratyakhyan Sutra, as presented in this translation, is to guide individuals, particularly ascetics, towards the ultimate goal of liberation (moksha) through profound renunciation and spiritual discipline. The text emphasizes a comprehensive relinquishing of worldly attachments, karmic bonds, and internal impurities.

Key Themes and Concepts Covered:

• Invocation and Salutations: The text begins with traditional Jain invocations to the pure vision, the omniscient beings (Tirthankaras, Siddhas), and spiritual mentors.
• Renunciation (Pratyakhyan): The central theme is "Mahapratyakhyan," meaning Great Renunciation. This involves the deliberate and conscious relinquishing of various forms of attachment and negative tendencies.
  • External and Internal Attachments: Renunciation extends to external possessions (upadhi) like clothing and internal states like anger, greed, ego, and afflictions (kashayas).
  • Relinquishing Passions: The text details the renunciation of emotions like attachment, aversion, joy, sorrow, fear, and pride.
  • "Vosirata" (Relinquishing/Abandoning): This term is frequently used, signifying the act of letting go of various worldly and inner states.
• Confession and Criticism (Ninda, Garda, Alochana): A significant part of the practice described is the sincere confession and criticism of one's past wrongdoings.
  • Self-Criticism: The individual is encouraged to condemn their own faults, whether committed through mind, speech, or body.
  • Criticism of Faulty Behavior: The text specifies criticizing actions stemming from anger, stubbornness, ingratitude, and wrong contemplation.
  • Criticism in the Presence of a Guru: The importance of confessing and criticizing actions in the presence of a spiritual teacher (Guru) is highlighted.
  • Alochana (Criticism/Confession): This is presented as a means to purify oneself and shed karmic impurities.
• Acceptance and Forgiveness: The sutra promotes a state of seeking forgiveness from all beings and extending forgiveness to them. This is linked to cultivating equanimity.
• Spiritual Practice and Meditation (Samayika, Dhyana): The text describes engaging in "Samayika" (equanimity practice) and initiating "Samadhi" (spiritual contemplation or absorption).
• The Nature of the Self: The sutra emphasizes the eternal and solitary nature of the soul (Atma). It states that the soul is knowledge, vision, conduct, renunciation, and discipline.
• Karma and Rebirth: The cyclical nature of birth, death, and suffering due to karma is a prominent theme. The text reminds the practitioner that one acts alone, experiences the fruits of actions alone, and journeys through the cycle of rebirth alone.
• The Eight Karmas: The text implicitly or explicitly refers to the bondage of the eight types of karmas (like knowledge-obscuring, perception-obscuring, etc.) that keep the soul bound to the cycle of existence.
• The Importance of "Pandit Maran" (Wise Death): A significant portion of the sutra focuses on achieving a wise and conscious death, as opposed to an ignorant or fear-driven one.
  • Remembering Past Lives and Suffering: The text encourages remembering the countless lives lived, the suffering endured, and the different forms of death experienced to cultivate detachment.
  • Relinquishing Family Attachments: The thought of deceased family members is presented as a way to detach from worldly affections and face death with equanimity.
  • Understanding the Cycle of Four Destinies: The suffering inherent in the hellish, animal, human, and heavenly realms is highlighted to motivate a desire for liberation.
  • The Power of One Pandit Maran: It is stated that one wise death can cut short hundreds of births and deaths, leading to the cessation of the cycle of existence.
• The Path to Liberation (Siddhi/Moksha): The sutra outlines the means to achieve liberation:
  • Right Faith, Knowledge, and Conduct: Adherence to the principles of Jinendra's teachings, including knowledge, vision, and righteous conduct, is essential.
  • Penance and Austerity (Tapa): Performing severe austerities is presented as a way to burn away karmic impurities.
  • Gupti (Restraint): The importance of controlling the mind, speech, and body is repeatedly stressed.
  • Samiti (Careful Conduct): The practice of the five careful modes of conduct is also mentioned.
  • Meditative States (Dhyana): Cultivating pure meditation states (Shukla Dhyana) is key.
  • Abandoning "Shalyas" (Inner Pains/Thorns): The text identifies and advocates for the uprooting of three main "shalyas": wrong faith (mithyatva), deceit (maya), and desire for future outcomes (niyana).
• The Impermanence of Worldly Pleasures: The sutra uses various analogies (fire and fuel, ocean and rivers, etc.) to illustrate the insatiable nature of desires and the futility of seeking satisfaction through worldly pleasures. It emphasizes that even divine pleasures and immense power do not bring lasting contentment.
• The Role of the Guru: The Guru plays a crucial role in guiding the disciple, explaining the path, and prescribing penances. The text emphasizes listening to and following the Guru's teachings.
• Types of Renunciation: The sutra implicitly differentiates between types of renunciation, including those performed out of true understanding versus those done under duress.
• Qualities of a True Ascetic: The text highlights characteristics like equanimity, absence of malice, courage, self-control, adherence to vows, and freedom from arrogance.
• The Four Types of "Aaradhana" (Worship/Practice): The text mentions four types of practice: faith, knowledge, conduct, and penance. It also categorizes these practices into excellent, middle, and inferior levels.

Overall Message:

The Mahapratyakhyan Sutra, as translated and explained by Muni Diparatnasagarji, serves as a profound manual for spiritual aspirants. It calls for a radical and complete detachment from the mundane world and the inner enemies of the soul. The ultimate aim is to achieve a state of pure consciousness, free from karmic bondage, leading to liberation. The text emphasizes introspection, sincere confession, rigorous self-discipline, and the pursuit of a wise and peaceful death as the pathway to this ultimate freedom. The detailed verses guide the reader through the process of renouncing attachments, purifying the mind, and cultivating the qualities necessary for spiritual attainment.