Agam 35 Chhed 02 Bruhatkalpa Sutra Bhashantar

This document is a Gujarati translation and commentary on the Jain text Brhatkalpa Sutra, specifically Volume 35, Chhed 02. The book was published by Subodh Lalbhai in Ahmedabad. The catalog link provided leads to a digital repository of Jain texts.

Here's a breakdown of the content presented, based on the provided pages:

• Title Page and Publisher Information: Clearly states the book title, author, and publisher.
• Fair Use Declaration (TFIC Team): Explains that the book is provided for personal educational or research use under Fair Use guidelines, believing it to be in the public domain. It emphasizes their intent to make valuable books accessible and not to undermine original repositories.
• Table of Contents (Anukramanika): Lists eight chapters or "Vyakhyanas" (discourses/interpretations), indicating a structured commentary on the Brhatkalpa Sutra.
• Foreword (Nivedan): Explains the significance of the Brhatkalpa Sutra, its origin by the great Jain scholar Bhadrabahuswami, and its purpose in making the teachings accessible to the masses through Gujarati translation. It also mentions the aspiration of Sadhvi Punyaparbhashriji to present the Kalpa Sutra in a simpler and more accessible style.
• Introduction to the Kalpa Sutra: Begins with salutations to Jain Tirthankaras and significant scholars. It states that the Kalpa Sutra is presented with a Gujarati translation.
• First Discourse (Pratham Vyakhyan):
  • Purpose of the Kalpa Sutra: It's read for five days during the Chaturmas (monsoon retreat) for monks.
  • Definition of "Kalpa": It refers to the conduct and disciplines of monks.
  • Ten Types of Kalpas: The text lists and explains ten distinct "kalpas":
    1. Alak Kalpa: Related to being without clothes or wearing worn-out clothes. It discusses the practice of Tirthankaras and their followers regarding attire.
    2. Uddeshik Kalpa: Deals with food and provisions prepared specifically for certain monks or a community. It highlights differences in practice among Tirthankaras.
    3. Shayyatara Kalpa: Concerns the owner of the place where monks stay. It discusses the issue of accepting food or other provisions from the owner of the resting place, due to potential faults or reciprocal expectations.
    4. Rajapinda Kalpa: Refers to provisions from royalty or high-ranking officials. It discusses the reasons why monks of certain Tirthankaras may or may not accept from such sources, considering potential issues like disruption of meditation, insults, or attraction to worldly things.
    5. Krutikarma Kalpa: Relates to salutations and respects among monks, highlighting the rule that monks generally do not bow to nuns, even if the nuns are junior in initiation, to avoid societal criticism and pride.
    6. Vrata Kalpa: Discusses vows, specifically mentioning the difference in the number of Mahavratas (great vows) observed by monks of different Tirthankaras, particularly regarding the vow of abstaining from sexual union.
    7. Jyeshtha Kalpa: Deals with the seniority and hierarchy among monks based on their initiation period, and how this is determined.
    8. Pratikraman Kalpa: Focuses on the ritual of confession and repentance, outlining when and how monks should perform Pratikraman, and differences in its practice.
    9. Mas Kalpa: Refers to the duration of stay in one place, with specific rules for monks of different Tirthankaras, emphasizing the benefits of Vihar (travel) and the reasons for staying in one place.
    10. Paryushan Kalpa: Concerns the practice of observing the Chaturmas (monsoon retreat) in one place. It details the duration of Paryushan, differentiating between minimum and maximum periods, and mentioning exceptions based on circumstances.
  • Differences in Practice: The text consistently explains the distinctions in these kalpas based on the Tirthankaras and the nature of the people (Jivas) in their respective eras (e.g., simple and dull, crooked and dull, simple and wise).
  • Illustrative Examples: The text uses examples (like monks watching a dancer or a merchant's son's actions) to illustrate the behavior and intellectual capacity of monks from different eras, explaining why certain practices were permitted or forbidden.
  • Detailed Explanation of Paryushan Kalpa: It elaborates on the merits of staying in an excellent, moderate, or inferior place during Paryushan, considering factors like proximity to temples, purity of the location, ease of obtaining alms, and the nature of the local population.
  • Analogy of the Third Medicine: The ten kalpas are compared to a beneficial third medicine, explaining how they eliminate faults when present and strengthen dharma when absent.
  • Significance of Chaturmas Stay: The text justifies the four-month monsoon retreat for monks, drawing parallels with King Shri Krishna and other great individuals who took precautions during this period to avoid harming small organisms and to promote spiritual practice.
  • Supremacy of Kalpa Sutra: It emphasizes the Kalpa Sutra's importance as a sacred scripture, comparable to divine entities and objects of worship.
  • Benefits of Studying Kalpa Sutra: Reading, listening to, and adhering to the Kalpa Sutra is said to lead to liberation within eight years.
  • Author of the Kalpa Sutra: Reaffirms that the Kalpa Sutra was composed by the renowned scholar Sri Bhadrabahuswami, who extracted it from the "Dashashrutaskandh" of the "Pratyakhyanpravad" Purva.
  • The Vastness of the Pūrvas: The text describes the immense scale of the fourteen Pūrvas (ancient Jain scriptures) in terms of the amount of material required to write them, hinting at their depth and complexity.
  • Reason for Prakrit Language: Explains that Bhadrabahuswami composed the scripture in Prakrit to make it accessible to a wider audience, including children, women, those with weaker intellects, and the elderly, mirroring the approach of Tirthankaras.
  • Eligibility for Recitation: Mentions that mainly monks and nuns are eligible to read and hear the Kalpa Sutra, with specific rules for each. It also traces the historical context of its public recitation.
  • Five Essential Actions during Paryushan: Lists five key activities to be performed during Paryushan: Chaitya Paripati (worship of temples), salutations to all monks, Savatsarik Pratikraman (annual confession), mutual forgiveness, and Tapa (asceticism).
  • Story of Nagaketu: A detailed narrative illustrating the benefits of performing "Atham Tapa" (an eight-day fast) and the miraculous intervention of Dharanendra, the king of serpents, to save a child named Nagaketu. This story emphasizes devotion and the power of tapas.
  • Three Subjects of the Kalpa Sutra: Outlines the three main subjects covered: the lives of Jineshwars, the lineage of scholars (Sthaviravali), and the conduct of monks (Sadhu Samachar).
  • Introduction to Mahavir Swami's Life: Begins the description of Lord Mahavir Swami's life and conception, emphasizing the auspicious signs and the significance of the Uttraphalguni constellation.
  • Details of Mahavir Swami's Conception: Describes his descent from the heavens, his placement in the womb of Devananda, and then the transfer to the womb of Trishala.
  • Mahavir Swami's Knowledge: States that Lord Mahavir was born with three types of knowledge (Mati, Shruta, and Avadhi).
  • Devananda's Dreams: Details the fourteen auspicious dreams witnessed by Devananda, which portended the birth of a great soul. These dreams are described in detail, including their symbolic meanings.
  • Interpretation of Dreams by Rishabhadatta: Explains how Rishabhadatta, the father of Devananda, interprets these dreams, predicting the birth of a virtuous son who will bring prosperity.
  • Further Dream Interpretations and Life Predictions: Continues to elaborate on the auspicious dreams and their implications, including the physical characteristics of the child and his future life, including his prowess and eventual spiritual attainment.
  • Paternal lineage and family history: Describes the family lineage and past lives, including the story of Nagaketu and his rebirth, emphasizing the cycle of karma and rebirth.
  • The concept of "Aachher" (Miracles/Unusual Events): The text lists ten extraordinary events (Aachher) that occurred in the Jain tradition, specifically highlighting those related to Lord Mahavir and other Tirthankaras, such as the transfer of Mahavir's conception, a female Tirthankara, the failure of a Tirthankara's sermon, and unusual occurrences involving deities.
  • The Story of Goshalak: A lengthy narrative about Goshalak, a follower of Mahavir, who falsely claimed to be a Jina and caused disturbances, ultimately meeting a fiery end due to his actions and the power of Mahavir's tejas (radiance). This story serves as an example of the consequences of pride and falsehood.
  • The Second Discourse (Dwitiya Vyakhyan): Continues with more Aachher events, including the transfer of Mahavir's conception, the unusual birth of a female Tirthankara, the unsuccessful sermon of a Tirthankara, and the extraordinary journey of Krishna Vasudeva.
  • The Story of King Krishnadeva and Draupadi: Details Krishna's rescue of Draupadi, highlighting the exceptional circumstances involving divine intervention and the synchronicity of conch sounds.
  • The Story of Harivansha: Explains the origin of the Harivansha lineage through a tragic tale of love, betrayal, and karmic retribution involving King Samukha, Vimalakirti, and the divine entity Vira, leading to their rebirth as Yudhalikas and their eventual downfall. This section delves into the concept of karmic retribution and its long-lasting effects.
  • The Story of the "Aachher" of Amarendra: Describes the event of Amarendra, the Indra of the Vaitadhya mountain range, ascending to heaven due to divine intervention and the power of his penance.
  • The Story of the 108 Siddhas: Mentions the unusual event of 108 individuals achieving liberation simultaneously in the era of the first Tirthankara, Rishabhadeva.
  • The Story of the Worship of Non-Ascetics: Highlights the unusual occurrence of non-ascetics being worshipped during the time between the 9th and 10th Tirthankaras, contrasting it with the usual practice of worshipping ascetics.
  • The Third Discourse (Tritiya Vyakhyan): Continues the narrative of Mahavir Swami's birth, detailing the auspicious dreams experienced by Trishala, the mother. It elaborates on each of the fourteen dreams and their symbolic interpretations, including the elephant, bull, lion, Lakshmi, garland, moon, sun, flag, pot, lake, sea, divine chariot, jewel hoard, and fire.
  • The Story of Rishabhadatta and Trishala: Describes the father's interpretation of the dreams and the subsequent birth preparations and rituals. It also includes details about the concept of auspicious physical marks on the child.
  • The Fourth Discourse (Chaturtha Vyakhyan): Continues the detailed narrative of Mahavir Swami's birth, focusing on the auspicious dreams and their deeper interpretations. It delves into the significance of each dream and its connection to future events, including the child's destiny as a Chakravarti or a Tirthankara. It also discusses the types of dreams and their timing, the importance of conveying good dreams to the Guru, and the impact of good and bad dreams. It further illustrates the impact of actions in past lives on one's present circumstances, using the example of Mahavir's past lives to explain his eventual birth into a Brahmin family due to karmic influences. It then details the events leading up to Mahavir's birth, including the interaction between Indras and the transfer of the embryo.
  • The Fifth Discourse (Panchama Vyakhyan): This section begins by describing the celestial celebrations and rituals performed by the gods at the time of Mahavir Swami's birth. It details the roles of various celestial beings, including the Dikkumaris (celestial maidens), their processions, and the offerings they make. It highlights the divine intervention in the birth process, including the transfer of the embryo and the subsequent blessings bestowed upon the child and his mother. It also describes the elaborate ceremonies performed by King Siddhartha and Trishala to celebrate the birth, including the naming ceremony, the worship of celestial bodies (Sun and Moon), and the festive atmosphere in the kingdom. It delves into the concept of auspicious signs and their interpretations, as well as the meticulous care taken for the well-being of the pregnant mother and the unborn child. The text also provides details on the duration of pregnancy for various Tirthankaras and describes the astrological conditions at Mahavir Swami's birth.

In essence, this document is a detailed exposition and commentary on the Brhatkalpa Sutra, providing historical context, interpretations of Jain ethical and ritualistic principles, and narratives of significant events in the lives of Tirthankaras, particularly Lord Mahavir.