Agam 41 Mool 02 Pind Niryukti Sutra - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Agam 41 Mool 02 Pind Niryukti Sutra" by Dulahrajmuni, published by Jain Vishva Bharati. The text delves deeply into the principles of Jain monastic conduct, specifically focusing on the ethical aspects of acquiring and consuming food (Bhikshacharya).

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and content:

I. Introduction to Niryukti Literature and Pind Niryukti

Niryukti as Explanatory Literature: The text highlights that Niryukti literature serves as the primary commentary on Jain Agamas (scriptures). Written in a concise, poetic style, it provides explanations of key terms and concepts found in the Agamas. Acharya Bhadrabahu is credited with this work, offering "deposit-centric" ( nikshep ) explanations of specialized words.
Pind Niryukti's Importance: Pind Niryukti is identified as a crucial text within Niryukti literature, specifically related to Charankarananuyog (the branch of conduct). It is written in a structured and topic-focused style, encompassing various subjects relevant to a monk's bhikshacharya (alms-seeking).
Regarded as a Root Sutra: In some traditions, due to its focus on conduct, Pind Niryukti is considered a mool sutra (root scripture).
Content Focus: The text extensively details the faults related to udgam (source), utpadana (production), esana (acquisition), and paribhogaishana (consumption).
Cultural Significance: The text is also valuable for understanding the civilization and culture of the time it was written.

II. Editorial and Publishing Information

Authorship and Translation: The book is attributed to Acharya Bhadrabahu, with Muni Dularaj as the translator.
Editorial Board: Acharya Tulsi is noted as the Synod Chief, Acharya Mahaprajna as the Chief Editor, and Samani Kusumaprajna as the Editor.
Publisher: Jain Vishva Bharati, Ladnun, Rajasthan.
Edition and ISBN: First Edition, 2008. ISBN-81-7195-135-X.
Courtesy: Lakshmichand Sethiya Charitable Trust, Kolkata.
Details: The book contains 520 pages.

III. Overview of Pind Niryukti (Supervision Section)

Nature of Niryukti: Niryuktis are the first layer of commentary on Agamas, not independent treatises but dependent on the sutras they explain. They function like Nirukta in Vedic literature, explaining technical terms using the nikshep method.
Nikshep Method: This method explains a word's meaning in various contexts to clarify its specific meaning in the given situation. Niryuktis are composed in Maharashtri Prakrit, primarily using Arya meter, but sometimes Doha and Indravajra meters are also found.
Purpose of Niryukti: To clarify the intended meaning of sutras and reveal interconnected meanings within them.
Number of Niryuktis: The Nandi Sutra mentions innumerable Niryuktis for each Anga, suggesting a vast body of this literature, though not all are currently available.
Authorship Debate (Bhadrabahu I vs. II): There's a discussion about whether the Niryuktis were authored by Bhadrabahu I or II, or potentially Aryabhadra.
Relationship with other Niryuktis: The text clarifies the relationship of Pind Niryukti with other Niryuktis like Ogha Niryukti, Nishith Niryukti, and Brihatkalpa Niryukti, concluding that Pind Niryukti stands as an independent work.
Separation of Niryukti and Bhashya: A significant aspect of the editorial work was the attempt to distinguish between Niryukti and Bhashya (a later commentary) when they were written in the same style.

IV. Subject Matter and Key Concepts

The Pind Niryukti comprehensively covers the principles of Bhikshacharya (alms-seeking) for Jain monks, focusing on avoiding various doshas (faults). The major categories of faults discussed are:

Udgam Dosha (Faults of Origin): This section is extensively detailed and covers 16 primary faults. Some of the most significant ones include:
- Adhakarma: Food prepared with the intention of offering it to a monk, even if made with pure ingredients. This is considered a major fault. The text discusses its various forms, portals, and purification methods.
- Auddeshika: Food prepared for general consumption but then set aside for a monk. It's further divided into Ogha Auddeshika (general), Vibhaga Auddeshika (specific), Uddishta (earmarked), and Krita (prepared).
- Putikarma: Contamination of food through various means (instrument, foodstuff, storage, etc.).
- Mishrajata: Food mixed with pakhandi (heretics), sadhu, or yavadaarthika (for general guests).
- Sthapana Dosha: Setting aside food specifically for monks, which then becomes problematic.
- Prabhritika Dosha: Offering food as a gift or honor.
- Pradushkarana Dosha: Making food visible or apparent when it should remain concealed.
- Kritkrita Dosha: Food purchased with one's own or others' money.
- Pramitya (Apamitya) Dosha: Food borrowed or taken on credit.
- Parivartita Dosha: Food obtained through exchange.
- Abhyahrita Dosha: Food brought from another place or village.
- Udbhina Dosha: Food obtained by opening a sealed or covered container.
- Malapahrita Dosha: Food obtained from elevated places or underground.
- Achchhedya Dosha: Food obtained by forceful seizure.
- Anisrishta Dosha: Food received without proper permission or understanding of ownership.
- Adhyavapuraka Dosha: Adding extra food for the monk when it's being prepared for others.
Uttpadana Dosha (Faults of Production): This section discusses faults arising from how food is produced or prepared, including:
- Dhatri Dosha: Faults related to wet nurses and their influence on the child's character and health.
- Duti Dosha: Faults related to using a messenger.
- Nimitta Dosha: Using omens or predictions to acquire food.
- Ajeevana Dosha: Faults related to various professions or livelihoods used to acquire food.
- Vaneepaka Dosha: Begging by flattering or associating oneself with specific groups (like devotees of Shakya, Brahmins, Kripana, guests, or even dogs).
- Chikitsa Dosha: Acquiring food by offering medical advice or treatments.
- Krodha Pinda: Acquiring food through anger or coercion.
- Mana Pinda: Acquiring food through pride or humility.
- Maya Pinda: Acquiring food through deception.
- Lobha Pinda: Acquiring food through greed or excessive desire for specific items.
- Samstava Dosha: Associating with the donor before or after the meal through praise or relationship building.
- Vidya Pinda: Acquiring food through knowledge of occult sciences or mantras.
- Mantra Pinda: Acquiring food through chanting mantras and displaying miracles.
- Churna Pinda: Acquiring food through the use of powders (like invisibility).
- Yoga Pinda: Acquiring food through yogic powers (like levitation, walking on water).
- Mulasvabhava Karama: Engaging in acts that harm or manipulate life (like aiding childbirth or causing abortion) to acquire food.
Eshana Dosha (Faults of Acquisition): This section focuses on the faults of receiving and consuming food, including:
- Sankita Dosha: Accepting food with doubt about its purity.
- Prakshipta Dosha: Accepting food contaminated by living beings (earth, water, plants, etc.).
- Nikshipta Dosha: Accepting food placed on living or non-living substances without proper care.
- Pihita Dosha: Accepting food covered by living or non-living substances.
- Samhruta Dosha: Accepting food from containers where prohibited items were kept or handled improperly.
- Dayaka Dosha: Accepting food from unqualified or improper donors.
- Unmishra Dosha: Mixing pure and impure food or different types of food improperly.
- Aparinata Dosha: Accepting food that is not fully ripened or properly prepared, or which the donor has reservations about giving.
- Lipta Dosha: Accepting food that has touched impure substances or has been prepared with impure utensils.
- Chhardita Dosha: Accepting food that has been vomited or fallen on the ground.
Paribhogaishana (Faults of Consumption): This section covers how monks should consume food, including:
- Sanyojana Dosha: Improper mixing of food items to enhance taste.
- Pramanatireka Dosha: Consuming food in excess of the prescribed measure.
- Prakama Ahara: Eating excessively palatable food.
- Nikama Ahara: Eating excessively in large quantities.
- Praneeta Ahara: Consuming food prepared with pungent or stimulating ingredients.
- Atibahu Ahar: Consuming excessive amounts of food.
- Atibahusha Ahar: Consuming food multiple times a day.
- Sa-angara Dosha: Consuming food with attachment or greed.
- Sa-dhum Dosha: Consuming unappetizing food with aversion or anger.
- Karana Dosha: Eating without proper reasons (like hunger or service to others).
Cultural Aspects: The text also touches upon aspects of the time, such as:
- Beliefs about Deities: Mention of worship of deities and their influence on rituals.
- Social Customs: Insights into family structures, marriage customs, and societal norms.
- Economic System: Discussion of professions, agriculture, trade, and interest-based transactions.
- Health and Medicine: Ayurvedic principles related to diet, hygiene, and healing practices.
- Psychological Insights: Understanding the impact of upbringing and mental state on behavior.
- Language and Literature: The use of Prakrit, various meters, and the nikshep method demonstrates linguistic richness.

V. Editorial Process and Significance

Textual Criticism: The publication involved meticulous collation of various manuscripts, identification of variant readings, and critical notes to establish the original text.
Appendices: The inclusion of 21 appendices highlights the comprehensive nature of the publication, providing further context and scholarly analysis.
Disentangling Niryukti and Bhashya: The text emphasizes the effort made to separate the original Niryukti verses from the subsequent Bhashya commentary, a complex task given their intermingling in ancient manuscripts.
Importance for Research: The publication aims to be a valuable resource for scholars and researchers interested in Jain Agamas, the history of Jain literature, monastic conduct, and ancient Indian culture.

In essence, Pind Niryukti is a foundational text in Jain monastic discipline, offering a detailed ethical framework for monks regarding food. The published work by Jain Vishva Bharati provides a scholarly and accessible version of this important scripture, enriched by translation, critical notes, and extensive appendices.