Agam 31 Ganividya Sutra Hindi Anuwad

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Agam 31 Ganividya Sutra Hindi Anuwad," authored by Dipratnasagar and Deepratnasagar:

This text is a Hindi translation and commentary on the Jain Agam Sutra 31, specifically the Payannasutra-8, titled "Ganividya" (गणिविद्या). The work is attributed to Muni Dippratnasagarji, described as an "Agam Diwakar" (Sun of Agamas) and a "Shrut Maharshi" (Great Sage of Scriptures), who holds M.Com., M.Ed., and Ph.D. degrees. The book is published by Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar.

The core purpose of "Ganividya" is to elucidate the principles of "Gani Vidya" or "Ganividya," which translates to the science of auspicious timings, astrology, and prognostication within the Jain tradition. It aims to guide individuals on the suitability of various times, celestial bodies, and omens for different spiritual and worldly activities.

The text systematically breaks down the factors that constitute auspiciousness, covering the following key areas:

I. Components of Auspiciousness (Navbal Vidhi - The Nine-Fold Strength Method):

The text defines nine key elements that determine the strength and auspiciousness of a particular time for undertaking specific actions. These are:

1. Day (दिवस)
2. Tithi (तिथि - Lunar Day)
3. Nakshatra (नक्षत्र - Lunar Mansion)
4. Karana (करण - Half of a Lunar Day)
5. Grah Divas (ग्रह दिवस - Planetary Day)
6. Muhurta (मुहूर्त - Auspicious Moment)
7. Shuknabal (शकुनबल - Strength of Omens)
8. Lagna Bal (लग्न बल - Strength of Zodiacal Ascendant)
9. Nimitta Bal (निमित्त बल - Strength of Portents/Signs)

II. Specific Guidance on Different Components:

The "Ganividya" provides detailed insights into each of these components, offering specific recommendations and warnings:

• Days and Tithis (सूत्र 1-10):

  • It outlines the strength of different days and tithis, identifying which are beneficial and which should be avoided for important activities.
  • Certain tithis are highlighted for their suitability for specific actions like diksha (initiation), observing vows, or undertaking fasts.
  • Specific tithis like Nanda, Bhadra, Vijaya, Tuchha, and Purna are discussed, with recommendations for their use in initiating disciples, taking vows, and fasting.
  • Several tithis (like Chaturdashi, Purnima, Ashtami, Navami, Shashti, Chaturthi, Dwadashi) are generally advised to be avoided on both the bright and dark halves of the lunar month.

• Nakshatras (Nakhshatras - Lunar Mansions) (सूत्र 11-28):

  • A list of auspicious Nakshatras for travel and commencing journeys is provided (e.g., Pushya, Ashwini, Mrigashirsha, Revati, Hasta, Chitra, Anuradha, Jyeshtha, Moola).
  • The text also identifies inauspicious Nakshatras that should be avoided due to their negative influences, such as Sandhyagat (twilight-influenced), Ravigat (sun-influenced), Vidder (reverse), Sangraha (collection of bad planets), Vilambi (delayed), Rahugat (Rahu-influenced), and Grahbhinn (planet-separated).
  • The specific negative effects of these inauspicious Nakshatras are explained, ranging from arguments and disputes to severe suffering, death, and even physical ailments.
  • Auspicious Nakshatras are recommended for various spiritual practices like padpopagaman (meditation), nishkraman (initiation), vidyarambh (starting studies), and acquiring knowledge.
  • Specific Nakshatras are also recommended for activities like wearing clothes, performing rituals, and for the initiation and guidance of new monks.

• Western and Planetary Days (सूत्र 47-48):

  • The text provides guidance on the auspiciousness of days in relation to specific planets, particularly for spiritual initiations and vows.
  • Guru, Shukra (Venus), and Soma (Moon) days are considered auspicious for initiating disciples, taking vows, and receiving permission from the Gani or Vachak (leaders).
  • Ravi (Sun), Mangal (Mars), and Shani (Saturn) days are recommended for self-discipline, ascetic practices, and padpopagaman.

• Muhurta (Auspicious Moments) (सूत्र 49-55):

  • The text defines different types of Muhurtas based on the length of shadows cast by the sun.
  • These Muhurtas are categorized as auspicious (Shrey, Mitra, Arambhad, Saumitra, Suprateet, Rohana, Punyabal, Vijaya, Neparut, Varuna, Adharma, Dweepa) and inauspicious (Madhayhina, Dyuna).
  • Specific Muhurtas are recommended for initiating disciples, taking vows, and obtaining permission from spiritual leaders.
  • Certain Muhurtas are specifically recommended for intense spiritual practices like padpopagaman and anashan (fasting) for the attainment of ultimate liberation.

• Omens (Shakun) (सूत्र 56-63):

  • The text discusses the significance of various omens, categorized into male, female, and neuter.
  • Omens related to animals speaking, seeing flowering trees, hearing branches breaking, thunder, sounds from holes, and celestial phenomena are interpreted for their impact on activities like journeys, studies, craftmanship, spiritual pursuits, and worldly undertakings.
  • Certain omens are considered highly auspicious for initiating disciples, while others necessitate avoiding all activities or focusing solely on spiritual practices.

• Lagna (Zodiacal Ascendant) (सूत्र 64-71):

  • The strength of different Lagna (zodiacal ascendant) is explained for various activities.
  • Movable Lagna are suitable for initiating disciples.
  • Fixed Lagna are recommended for taking vows, obtaining scriptural knowledge, and conducting spiritual discourses.
  • Dual-bodied Lagna are suggested for self-study.
  • The influence of planetary positions within the Lagna (e.g., Sun's Hora, friendly planets) is discussed in relation to auspicious activities.
  • The presence of benefic planets in the Lagna is favorable for initiating disciples, while malefic planets indicate the need for intense spiritual practice.
  • The text emphasizes the importance of understanding and acting upon auspicious Lagna, and avoiding inauspicious ones.

• Nimitta (Portents/Signs) (सूत्र 72-84):

  • The text asserts that portents are not destroyed and that the sayings of Rishis (sages) are never false.
  • It differentiates between auspicious and inauspicious portents, stating that a clear understanding of portents leads to successful endeavors, while misinterpretations can lead to ruin.
  • The significance of sounds and actions of specific beings (like children, women, and even certain animals) is discussed in relation to their predictive value.
  • Portents are classified based on their inherent nature (artificial vs. natural) and their ability to indicate future events.
  • Auspicious and strong portents are recommended for initiating disciples, taking vows, and establishing leadership within the monastic order.
  • Inauspicious and weak portents necessitate abstaining from all worldly activities and focusing on self-purification and spiritual practice.

III. Hierarchy of Auspiciousness (सूत्र 85):

The text establishes a clear hierarchy of importance among the various components:

• Day is stronger than Tithi.
• Tithi is stronger than Nakshatra.
• Nakshatra is stronger than Karana.
• Karana is stronger than Grah Divas.
• Grah Divas is stronger than Muhurta.
• Muhurta is stronger than Shakun.
• Shakun is stronger than Lagna.
• Lagna is stronger than Nimitta.
• Nimitta is considered the most principal and powerful element. The text emphatically states that there is nothing stronger than Nimitta in the world.

Conclusion:

The "Ganividya" concludes by emphasizing that this knowledge of strength and weakness is subtly explained and can be grasped through Anuyoga Gyan (knowledge derived from scriptural analysis). It urges the reader to understand this knowledge with unwavering diligence (apramattapan).

In essence, the "Ganividya Sutra" serves as a comprehensive guide for Jain practitioners to understand and utilize the cosmic and temporal influences to their spiritual and practical advantage, with a strong emphasis on the predictive power of signs and portents (Nimitta). The Hindi translation by Muni Dippratnasagarji aims to make this profound knowledge accessible to a wider audience.