Agam 26 Prakirnak 03 Maha Pratyakhyan Sutra - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Agam 26 Prakirnak 03 Maha Pratyakhyan Sutra," based on the provided pages, with a focus on its content and context within Jain literature:

Title: Agam 26 Prakirnak 03 Maha Pratyakhyan Sutra (महाप्रत्याख्यान-प्रकीर्णक)

Authors/Editors:

Original Text Editor: Muni Punyavijay Ji
Hindi Translation: Suresh Sisodiya
Foreword/Introduction: Prof. Sagarmal Jain, Suresh Sisodiya
Editor (Foreword): Prof. Sagarmal Jain
Publisher: Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan, Udaipur

Overview:

The "Maha Pratyakhyan Sutra" is a Prakrit text belonging to the Prakirnak (miscellaneous or supplementary) category of Jain Agamas. The title translates to "The Great Renunciation Sutra." This text is primarily concerned with the concept of samadhi-marana (peaceful or voluntary death), which is considered the highest form of renunciation and a crucial aspect of Jain spiritual practice.

Context within Jain Agamas:

Agamas: The text emphasizes the importance of Agamas as the foundation of Jain teachings, comparable to sacred texts in other religious traditions. It highlights that Agamas are compilations of the teachings of enlightened beings (Arhats and Rishis), not divine revelations.
Prakirnak Literature: The introduction places Prakirnak texts as supplementary to the core Anga Agamas. These texts are often ancient and spiritually focused, covering diverse subjects. The Maha Pratyakhyan is listed among ten recognized Prakirnak texts, though variations in this list exist.
Classification: The text is classified within the Nandi Sutra and Pakshika Sutra as an Autkalika (non-seasonal or occasionally recited) text within the Avashyak Vyatirikta (excluding the essential) category of Angabahya (outside the Angas) Agamas. This indicates its significant place in the Jain canonical literature.
Historical Significance: The text notes that the Prakirnaka literature, including the Maha Pratyakhyan, predates the final compilation of the Angas and is considered linguistically ancient and spiritually profound.

Key Themes and Content:

The "Maha Pratyakhyan Sutra" is a collection of gathas (verses) that guide the aspirant towards a state of equanimity and detachment, culminating in samadhi-marana. The key themes include:

Renunciation (Pratyakhyan):
- Great Renunciation: The term "Maha Pratyakhyan" signifies the greatest possible renunciation, which is the voluntary relinquishing of life itself with equanimity.
- Trividha Tyaga: It advocates for the threefold renunciation of external and internal possessions, the body, and all worldly attachments through mind, speech, and action.
- Renunciation of Sins: It details the renunciation of harmful actions like violence, falsehood, theft, unchastity, and greed.
Equanimity and Forgiveness (Kshama):
- Sarva Jiva Kshama: A central theme is the practice of forgiving all living beings and seeking forgiveness from them, fostering universal compassion.
- Equanimity in Emotions: Renouncing emotions like anger, pride, deceit, greed, attachment, aversion, excitement, fear, sorrow, pleasure, and displeasure is stressed.
Self-Reflection and Repentance (Avalochana):
- Ninda, Garha, Avalochana: The text encourages self-criticism, condemnation of faults, and confession of sins committed through mind, speech, or body.
- Criticism of Unfavorable Actions: It emphasizes condemning and criticizing actions that are contrary to right conduct.
- Purging of Sins: The importance of confessing known and unknown offenses to the enlightened (Jinas) is highlighted.
Detachment and Non-Attachment (Nir mamata):
- Renunciation of Momata: It teaches the understanding and shedding of attachment to the body, food, and all possessions, recognizing the soul (Atma) as the sole true possession and refuge.
- Abandonment of Worldly Relationships: The futility of relying on family members like parents, siblings, or children for protection during suffering and death is pointed out.
The Nature of the Soul (Atma):
- The Soul as Self: The text asserts that the soul is the true self, the source of knowledge, perception, conduct, renunciation, and concentration.
- Oneness of the Soul: It emphasizes the soul's inherent isolation in its journey through birth, death, and liberation.
Practice of Virtues and Renunciation:
- Gupti and Samiti: The importance of the three guptis (restraint of mind, speech, and body) and five samitis (careful conduct in walking, speaking, eating, handling objects, and excretion) is highlighted as the means of protection and refuge.
- Tapas (Austerities): The power of austerities is described, likening them to a ship that navigates the ocean of suffering.
Samadhi-Marana (Peaceful Death):
- Definition and Importance: The text focuses on samadhi-marana, the death achieved through a serene and detached state of mind, often through voluntary fasting (anashana).
- Preparation for Samadhi-Marana: It outlines the spiritual practices leading to this state, including self-reflection, renunciation of attachments, and acceptance of inevitable suffering.
- Distinction between Bal-marana and Pandit-marana: It differentiates between ignorance-induced death (bal-marana) and death achieved with knowledge and equanimity (pandit-marana), advocating for the latter.
- Significance of Pandit-marana: A single pandit-marana is said to end countless cycles of rebirth.
- Three Shalyas: It stresses the removal of the three "thorns" or inner afflictions: delusion (mithya-darshana), deceit (maya), and desire for future enjoyments (nidana) as crucial for achieving samadhi-marana.
- The Role of the Guru: The importance of confessing faults to a guru and following their guidance for penance (prayaschitta) is emphasized.
The Path to Liberation:
- Means of Liberation: The text suggests that true liberation is attained through unwavering faith in the teachings of the Jinas, knowledge, right conduct, and the practice of austerities.
- Meditation and Recollection: Concentration on the epithets of the Arhats, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and Sadhus serves as a means to renounce sins and attain liberation.
- Sevenfold Path: It mentions that by cultivating equanimity, renouncing desires, and adhering to knowledge, one can achieve liberation.

Comparative Analysis:

The introduction and comparative sections highlight that many verses from the Maha Pratyakhyan Sutra are also found in other significant Jain texts, including:

Angas: Uttaradhyayana Sutra
Niryuktis: Ogha Niryukti, Uttaradhyayana Niryukti, Avashyak Niryukti
Bhashyas: Nishitha Bhashya
Other Prakirnakas: Atura Pratyakhyan, Chandra Vedhyaka, Santarak, Aradhana Pataka, Marana Vibhakti
Digambara Texts: Mulachar, Bhagavati Aradhana, Niyamasara, Samaysara, Bhavapahud

This extensive overlap indicates the foundational nature of the Maha Pratyakhyan Sutra and its influence on later Jain literature. The presence of its verses in Digambara texts further suggests a shared early Jain tradition.

Structure and Language:

The text is written in Prakrit and consists of 142 gathas (verses). The introduction provides a detailed analysis of its historical context, authorship, and the meaning of its verses. The language is archaic Prakrit, reflective of its antiquity.

Publisher's Note:

The publisher, Agam Ahimsa Samta Evam Prakrit Samsthan, Udaipur, emphasizes the importance of translating and publishing such ancient Jain Agamas to make them accessible to a wider audience, bridging the gap caused by the unavailability of translations for common people and scholars alike.

In essence, the Maha Pratyakhyan Sutra is a profound text that serves as a guide for Jain ascetics and aspirants, detailing the path to achieving the ultimate spiritual goal of liberation through the practice of renunciation, equanimity, self-reflection, and ultimately, a peaceful and conscious death.