Agam 34 Nishith Sutra Hindi Anuwad - Book Summary

This document is a Hindi translation of the Nishiith Sutra, which is the first of the Cheda Sutras in the Jain Agamas. The translation and editing were done by Muni Diptratnasagarji. The book is cataloged as Agama 34.

The Nishiith Sutra details various transgressions and the penances prescribed for monks and nuns in Jainism. The translation systematically covers the content of the Sutra, organized into 20 "Uddeshak" (chapters or sections).

Here's a summary of the key aspects covered in each Uddeshak, based on the provided text:

General Structure and Purpose: The Nishiith Sutra outlines specific rules and guidelines for the conduct of Jain monks and nuns, detailing offenses (doshas) and their corresponding penances (prayaschitt). The penances are categorized into different types, primarily:

Gurumasik (गुरुमासिक): Monthly penance of a higher order.
Laghumasik (लघुमासिक): Monthly penance of a lesser order.
Laghu Chauthmasik (लघुचौमासी): Penance for a period of four months, of a lesser order.
Guru Chauthmasik (गुरु चौमासी): Penance for a period of four months, of a higher order.

The text is organized into 20 Uddeshaks, with each Uddeshak detailing specific types of offenses and their associated penances.

Summary of Uddeshaks:

Uddeshak 1 (सूत्र 1-58): Focuses on offenses related to hand karma (hastakarma) and bodily actions, particularly those involving the genital organs. It covers acts like self-stimulation, causing arousal, improper cleansing, and touching or manipulating these areas, and the associated penance is Gurumasik. It also includes offenses related to interacting with outsiders (other-faith adherents or laypeople) for obtaining items or assistance for various tasks, as well as handling specific tools incorrectly.
Uddeshak 2 (सूत्र 59-117): Deals with offenses related to the Rajoharan (broom used for sweeping the path to avoid harming small organisms), the Mudpatti/Mukhavastrika (cloth worn over the mouth), and other essential monastic items. It covers improper use, maintenance, or acquisition of these items, as well as offenses related to touching or smelling impure objects. The penance here is Laghumasik. It also includes issues with improper speech and accepting forbidden items.
Uddeshak 3 (सूत्र 118-196): Covers offenses related to personal hygiene, grooming, and bodily care, such as cleaning feet, body, mouth, and nails with improper methods or substances. It also addresses taking food from specific locations or under certain conditions, and offenses related to personal adornment or beautification. The penance is Laghumasik.
Uddeshak 4 (सूत्र 197-313): Focuses on offenses involving interactions with royalty and authorities, such as influencing or appeasing kings and their guards. It also covers improper consumption of food and medicine, entering residences without permission, and causing or exacerbating conflicts. The penance is Laghumasik.
Uddeshak 5 (सूत्र 314-392): Details offenses related to careless behavior in specific environments like sacred groves and near trees, improper use of clothing, and actions performed with the intention of beautification. It also includes offenses related to making or using musical instruments and certain types of pottery. The penance is Laghumasik.
Uddeshak 6 (सूत्र 393-469): Primarily deals with offenses motivated by sexual desire. It covers acts of physical contact, manipulation of private parts, improper dressing, and behaviors intended to arouse or engage in sexual activity, even if not consummated. The penance is Guru Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 7 (सूत्र 470-560): Continues to detail offenses driven by sexual desire, including adorning oneself with jewelry and fine clothes, touching or manipulating specific body parts of the opposite sex, and performing various bodily care rituals with such intent. It also covers interactions with animals and birds with similar intentions. The penance is Guru Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 8 (सूत्र 561-579): Focuses on offenses related to social interactions and conduct in specific locations. This includes improper behavior in monasteries, gardens, and public places, engaging in inappropriate conversations, and interacting with the opposite sex under certain circumstances. It also covers respecting or disrespecting those with flawed conduct. The penance is Guru Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 9 (सूत्र 580-607): Deals with offenses related to royal patronage and events. This includes accepting food from royal sources under specific conditions, entering royal residences, and participating in or observing royal ceremonies and activities. It also covers accepting food meant for specific purposes or individuals. The penance is Guru Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 10 (सूत्र 608-654): Focuses on offenses related to disrespect towards seniors and spiritual guides, improper acquisition of knowledge, accepting forbidden foods, and violations of specific monastic rules regarding time and place for activities. It also covers issues related to penance itself, such as falsely confessing or misrepresenting penance. The penance is Guru Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 11 (सूत्र 655-746): Covers offenses related to improper use of vessels and materials, engaging in disrespectful speech, visiting certain locations or interacting with specific groups of people, and violating rules regarding food consumption at different times. It also includes issues with using or accepting certain types of clothes and making or listening to music. The penance is Guru Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 12 (सूत्र 747-788): Details offenses related to interactions with animals and the environment, such as tying or releasing animals, improper bathing, using the property of others without permission, and engaging in certain activities for visual pleasure or curiosity. It also includes offenses related to the proper use and cleaning of utensils and vessels. The penance is Laghu Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 13 (सूत्र 789-862): Focuses on offenses related to physical contact and behavior in specific environments, such as standing, sitting, or sleeping on certain types of ground or near trees. It also covers teaching forbidden knowledge or arts to outsiders, and engaging in various forms of divination or astrology. The penance is Laghu Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 14 (सूत्र 863-904): Deals with offenses related to the acquisition and use of vessels, including buying, borrowing, or exchanging them improperly. It also covers actions taken to beautify or uglify vessels, and the improper handling of vessels with live organisms. The penance is Laghu Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 15 (सूत्र 905-1058): Covers offenses related to disrespect towards fellow monks and nuns, improper consumption of specific fruits like mangoes, and engaging in beautification activities. It also includes improper conduct in certain locations and interactions with specific groups of people. The penance is Laghu Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 16 (सूत्र 1059-1108): Details offenses related to entering specific types of residences, consuming certain plants like sugarcane, accepting food from people living in forests, misrepresenting one's spiritual status, and choosing difficult or dangerous paths for travel. It also includes accepting food from disgraced individuals or locations and improper handling of monastic items like the Rajoharan. The penance is Laghu Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 17 (सूत्र 1109-1259): Focuses on offenses related to curiosity-driven actions, such as tying or releasing animals, adorning oneself, and performing bodily care rituals. It also covers issues with accepting food from certain sources, and engaging in activities that involve listening to music or being in places where music is played. The penance is Laghu Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 18 (सूत्र 1260-1332): Primarily addresses offenses related to travel by boat, including unauthorized boat rides, improper handling of boats, and accepting food while traveling by boat under various circumstances. It also covers offenses related to acquiring or using clothing improperly. The penance is Laghu Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 19 (सूत्र 1333-1369): Details offenses related to the acquisition and use of medicine, improper timing of study, and teaching or receiving knowledge from unqualified individuals. It also covers accepting or giving knowledge from and to specific groups of people, and violating rules regarding the order of studying scriptures. The penance is Laghu Chauthmasik.
Uddeshak 20 (सूत्र 1370-1420): This Uddeshak focuses on the nuances and severity of penances, detailing how the duration and type of penance are determined based on the nature of the offense, the sincerity of confession (without malice or deception), and whether the offense is repeated. It outlines how penances can increase if mistakes are made during the penance period itself. The penance is described in terms of months and specific periods of days.

In essence, this text serves as a comprehensive guide to maintaining strict adherence to the monastic discipline in Jainism, outlining a detailed framework for rectifying deviations and ensuring spiritual purification. The translation by Muni Diptratnasagarji makes this complex text accessible in Hindi.