Agam 28 Tandulveyaliyam Panchamam Painnayam Mulam PDF File

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Agam 28 Tandulveyaliyam Panchamam Painnayam" in English, based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose and Context:

The text, "Tandulveyaliyam," which is the fifth Painnaya (supplementary or explanatory section) within Agam 28, primarily focuses on the processes and experiences related to conception, gestation, birth, and the stages of human life. It delves into the intricate details of the human body, its formation, nourishment, and the cyclical nature of existence, all from a Jain philosophical perspective. The text emphasizes the importance of righteous conduct (dharma) and the pursuit of liberation (moksha) as the ultimate goals.

Key Themes and Content:

1. Conception and Gestation:

   • Duration of Gestation: The text discusses the duration of time spent in the womb, mentioning a period of 277 days of day and night and a specific number of breaths taken while in the womb.
   • Formation of the Fetus: It details the initial stages of fetal development, describing it as a substance formed from the union of semen and ovum, which then transforms into a cluster (kalala), then into a blob (abbuda), then into a small organism (pesi), and finally into a denser form (ghana).
   • Developmental Stages: The text outlines the monthly development of the fetus, detailing the formation of various bodily parts and systems. It describes the sustenance of the fetus through the umbilical cord (nabhi) connected to the mother's navel, drawing nourishment from the mother's ingested food.
   • Parental Contributions: The text differentiates the contributions of the father (semen, bones, marrow, nails, hair) and the mother (ovum, blood, flesh, brain) to the formation of the child.
   • Bodily Fluids and Waste: It explicitly states that during gestation, the fetus does not excrete or pass urine or feces like an adult. Instead, the ingested nourishment is converted into the building blocks of the body. It also details the presence of vital fluids like bile, blood, and semen.
   • Gender Determination: The text explains that the combination and nature of the mother's ovum and father's semen influence the gender of the child, and the balance determines whether the child is male, female, or intersex (napunsaka). The concept of bimba (a representation or form) is also mentioned in relation to the union of maternal ovum and paternal semen.
   • Birth Process: The text briefly touches upon the position of the fetus at birth (head-first or feet-first) and potential complications.

2. Stages of Life (Das Dasao):

   • The text enumerates ten stages of human life, starting from childhood (bala) and progressing through various phases of growth, development, and decline.
   • Childhood (Balakida): Characterized by play and lack of deep understanding of happiness or sorrow.
   • Youth (Nanakeedahi): Engaging in various activities and experiencing moderate desires.
   • Adulthood and Early Maturity (Kama-bhoga): The stage where one is capable of enjoying pleasures and managing household affairs.
   • Strength and Capability (Bala): The period of physical prowess and ability to demonstrate strength, provided there are no obstacles.
   • Maturity and Responsibility (Artha-vichinte): The time for managing wealth, supporting family, and making decisions.
   • Deterioration and Disinterest (Hayani): A stage where one starts to feel detached from worldly desires and senses begin to decline.
   • Senescence and Decline (Pravancha): Marked by physical decay, coughing, and other signs of aging.
   • Advanced Age and Wrinkles (Sankuchita Valichamma): The stage where the skin wrinkles, and the person becomes less attractive.
   • Old Age and Weakness (Mummukhi): The period of significant aging, where the body deteriorates, and life becomes involuntary.
   • Extreme Old Age and Frailty (Kaladasa): The final stage of life, characterized by weakness, suffering, and dependence.

3. Life Span and Mortality:

   • The text provides calculations of life spans and the inevitability of death. It quantifies the number of breaths, minutes, days, months, and years in a human lifespan, emphasizing that life is transient and constantly diminishing.
   • It highlights that even with a long lifespan, the essence of life is constantly being consumed.
   • The text emphasizes that factors like disease, age, sleep, and indulgence shorten life.
   • It poses rhetorical questions about the value of life if it is not used for righteous deeds.

4. The Impermanence and Impurity of the Body:

   • A significant portion of the text is dedicated to a stark and detailed description of the human body, emphasizing its impurity, impermanence, and repulsive nature.
   • It describes the body as being composed of flesh, blood, bones, marrow, and filled with various impure substances like feces, urine, bile, phlegm, and blood.
   • The text uses graphic and unflattering language to describe bodily functions, secretions, and the processes of decay and decomposition.
   • It highlights the numerous joints, cavities, and orifices within the body, all prone to impurities and diseases.
   • The text repeatedly contrasts the perceived beauty and desirability of the body with its underlying repulsive reality, attributing this disconnect to ignorance (moha) and attachment (raga).
   • It questions the attachment and love people have for such a transient and impure vessel.

5. The Importance of Dharma (Righteous Conduct):

   • Throughout the text, there is a strong emphasis on the need to practice dharma, especially in the face of life's impermanence and the body's decay.
   • It stresses that virtues, good deeds, and religious practices are the true means of progress and liberation.
   • The text advocates for detachment from worldly pleasures and a focus on spiritual development.
   • It highlights that only righteous deeds and spiritual knowledge can lead to eternal happiness and liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

6. Metaphorical Language:

   • The text uses various metaphors to illustrate its points, such as comparing life to the flow of a river, youth to a flower, and the body to a container of impurities.

Key Concepts and Terminology:

• Tandulveyaliyam: Literally translates to something like "measuring by rice grains" or "account of rice grains," likely referring to the meticulous, granular way life processes and durations are described.
• Painnaya: A section of Jain Agamas that provides supplementary or explanatory details on various topics.
• Kalala, Abbuda, Pesi, Ghana: Stages of fetal development.
• Nabhi: Umbilical cord.
• Svasa-Nisvasa: Inhalation and exhalation (breaths).
• Dasa Dasao: Ten stages of life.
• Dharma: Righteous conduct, duty, virtue.
• Moksha/Nirvana: Liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
• Moha: Delusion, ignorance, attachment.
• Raga: Attachment, passion, desire.
• Vairagya: Detachment, dispassion.

In Essence:

The "Tandulveyaliyam" serves as a profound meditation on the human condition from a Jain perspective. It meticulously details the biological processes of life while simultaneously dissecting the inherent impurity and impermanence of the physical body. This stark portrayal is intended to foster detachment, encourage righteous conduct (dharma), and motivate individuals to pursue spiritual liberation (moksha), the only true and lasting refuge from suffering. The text reminds readers that worldly attachments are futile in the face of death and that true meaning lies in spiritual pursuits.