Agam Deep Agam 24 To 39 Gujarati Anuvaad Part 6

The provided text is the sixth Gujarati translation part of the "Agam Deep" series, specifically covering Agam 24 to 39, which includes the "Dash Vayana" (Ten Types of Conduct) and "Chhed Sutra" (Cutting Sutras) texts from the Jain Agama. This particular volume, Part 6, provides a Gujarati commentary or "Gurjar Chhaya" (Gujarati Shadow) by Muni Dipratna Sagar.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the content, based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose:

This volume is part of a larger series ("Agam Deep") published by Agamdeep Prakashan, aiming to make the foundational Jain scriptures accessible through Gujarati translation and commentary. This specific part focuses on key Jain texts dealing with conduct, ethics, and disciplinary rules for monks and nuns, as well as some cosmological and procedural aspects.

Key Texts Covered (Agam 24-39):

The document outlines the content of Agam 24 through 39, which are primarily grouped into two categories:

1. Dash Vayana (Ten Types of Conduct/Practices): These are Agam 24 to 33. The text provides the following titles:

   • Agam 24: Chau-sarana (Four Shelters) - Pehla Payanno (First Practice): Deals with Samaayik (meditation/equanimity), Visay (subjects), Char Sharna (Four Shelters), Duskrit Gaha (acknowledgment of wrongdoings), Sukrut Anumodana (approval of good deeds), and Upsanhar (conclusion).
   • Agam 25: Aaur Pachhkhannu (Aayur Pachkanna) - Bijlu Payanno (Second Practice): Focuses on the nature of death, life expectancy, the conditions for rebirth, and the merits of Pandit Maran (wise death) and Aradhana (devotion).
   • Agam 26: Maha Pachhkhannu (Maha Pachkanna) - Trio Payanno (Third Practice): Details the great vows, renunciation, repentance (Pratikraman), and various forms of religious instruction.
   • Agam 27: Bhatt Parina (Bhatt Parina) - Chaturtho Payanno (Fourth Practice): Covers matters related to food (Bhakti Parina), which likely includes rules about sustenance, offerings, and possibly fasting.
   • Agam 28: Sankul Vechaliya (Sankul Vechaliya) - Panchamo Payanno (Fifth Practice): This deals with complex or diverse topics, including descriptions of life stages, animal conduct, and potentially other detailed ethical rules.
   • Agam 29: Santhargam (Santhara) - Chhatho Payanno (Sixth Practice): Focuses on Santhara, the Jain practice of voluntary fasting unto death, often involving contemplation of the soul and detachment from the body. It covers the merits, forms, and importance of this practice.
   • Agam 30: Gachchachar (Gachchachar) - Satva Payanno (Seventh Practice - Part 1): Discusses the rules and conduct within a Jain monastic community (Gachcha), the role of the Acharya (spiritual leader), Sadhu (monk), and Sadhvi (nun), and community discipline.
   • Agam 31: Chandavejjayam (Chandavejjayam) - Satva Payanno (Seventh Practice - Part 2): This appears to be a continuation of community conduct or a related topic like ceremonial observances or rules concerning donations/contributions within the community.
   • Agam 32: Ganividya (Ganividya) - Athmo Payanno (Eighth Practice): Seems to relate to astrological or auspicious timing, perhaps for important events like initiation, vows, or departure. It mentions days, tithis (lunar dates), nakshatras (stars), Karanas, muhurtas, etc.
   • Agam 33: Devindathao (Devendra-sthata) - Navmo Payanno (Ninth Practice): This section likely deals with the cosmology of celestial beings, their abodes, realms, and perhaps their relation to Jain practice. It mentions Bhavanapati, Vanavyantar, Jyotishk, and Vaimanika deities.
   • Agam 34: Viratthava (Viratthava) - Dashamo Payanno (Tenth Practice): This likely pertains to the glorification or attributes of Lord Mahavir, perhaps focusing on his special virtues or teachings.

2. Chhed Sutra (Cutting Sutras): These are Agam 34 to 39, which deal with serious disciplinary offenses and their corresponding expiations (prayaschitta) for monks and nuns. These are considered "cutting" because they address actions that can "cut off" one's spiritual progress if not properly handled through penance.

   • Agam 34: Nisiha (Nishitha) - Pahilum Chhed Sutra (First Cutting Sutra): This is a major text detailing various offenses by monks and nuns and their prescribed expiations, often categorized by the severity of the offense and the type of penance (e.g., Masika, Chaturmasika).
   • Agam 35: Bruhat Kappo (Brihat Kalpa) - Bijum Chhed Sutra (Second Cutting Sutra): Discusses rules and regulations for monastic conduct, possibly relating to clothing, utensils, lodging, and communal living.
   • Agam 36: Vyavahar (Vyavahar) - Taiyum Chhed Sutra (Third Cutting Sutra): Focuses on practical conduct, rules for interaction, behavior, and possibly social etiquette within the monastic order.
   • Agam 37: Dasasuyakkhandha (Dashashrutaskandha) - Chaturtham Chhed Sutra (Fourth Cutting Sutra): Likely deals with various faults, transgressions, and the atonement for them.
   • Agam 38: Jiyakappo (Jiyakappa) - Pancham Chhed Sutra (Fifth Cutting Sutra): This title suggests rules related to the "Jiva" (soul) or possibly to the practice of living according to the teachings, including rectifying faults.
   • Agam 39: Mahanisiha (Mahanishitha) - Chhathum Chhed Sutra (Sixth Cutting Sutra): This is another major text on monastic disciplinary rules and expiations, often considered more detailed or covering more severe offenses than Nisiha or Brihat Kalpa.

Content Summary Based on Chapter Headings:

• Page 4 (Index): Provides a detailed table of contents listing the Agam number, the title of the "Vayana" or "Chhed Sutra", the Gujarati title "Gurjar Chhaya", and the page numbers. This confirms the scope of the volume.
• Pages 5-9 (Detailed Index): These pages offer a very granular breakdown of each Agam text covered, listing the specific chapters, topics, and their corresponding page numbers within the Gujarati commentary. This includes topics like:
  • Das Vayana (Practices): Mangal Adi (auspicious beginnings), Char Sharana (four refuges), Duskrit Gaha (acknowledging faults), Sukrut Anumodana (approving merits), Pandit Maran (wise death), Vrat-Samayik-Aropan (vows, meditation, ordainment), Acharna (conduct), Khama (forgiveness), Upadesh (preaching), etc.
  • Chhed Sutra (Cutting Sutras): The index shows extensive detail on offenses and expiations, such as those related to conduct, speech, body, alms-food, clothing, utensils, lodging, monastic rules (Gachchachar), and very specific details on various kinds of penances (Pratikraman, Kaya-utsarg, etc.). For example, Nisiha covers offenses like touching, playing with genitals, improper use of items, alms-related faults, lodging faults, and even offenses related to sleep and speech. Bruhat Kalpa seems to focus on more severe offenses related to communal living and conduct. Mahanishitha appears to cover the most serious transgressions and their expiations, including detailed rules and historical examples of monks and nuns facing severe consequences or performing difficult penances.
• Pages 10-15 (Publisher and Series Information): These pages list the main financial supporters ("Dravya Sahayak") for different volumes of the Agam Deep set, acknowledging individuals and families like Smt. Naynaben Rameshchandra Shah, and various Jain Sanghs. It also lists other publications by "Abhinav Shrut Prakashan" and "Agam Shrut Prakashan," providing a catalog of their extensive work in Jain literature.
• Pages 16-35 (Detailed Gujarati Text): This is the core of the translated commentary for Agam 24 to 29 (Chau-sarana, Aaur Pachhkhannu, Maha Pachhkhannu, Bhatt Parina). It includes:
  • Agam 24 (Chau-sarana): Discusses the four refuges (Arhant, Siddha, Sadhu, Dharma), the importance of Samaayik (equanimity), the virtue of guru-vandan (salutation to the guru), and the concept of the fourteen dreams seen by Tirthankar mothers.
  • Agam 25 (Aaur Pachhkhannu): Covers topics related to penance (Pachkanna), the distinction between Bala-Pandit Maran (simple vs. wise death), the concept of vows (Anuvratas, Shikshavratas), and the detailed breakdown of these vows. It also touches upon the spiritual benefits of these practices, leading towards liberation.
  • Agam 26 (Maha Pachhkhannu): This section likely delves into more profound aspects of penance, repentance, and the spiritual journey, possibly including detailed explanations of various austerities and their significance for liberation. It emphasizes the renunciation of worldly pleasures, forgiveness, and the importance of the Dharma as the ultimate refuge. It also discusses different types of death, including the ideal Pandit Maran, and the need to purify oneself of past karma through repentance.
  • Agam 27 (Bhatt Parina): This section likely elaborates on the significance of eternal happiness (Shashwat Sukha) versus transient happiness, the different types of death, the importance of vows and Samayika, and the blessings derived from following the teachings of the virtuous gurus. It highlights the importance of cherishing human birth and the teachings of Jineshwara. It also covers the practice of Bhakta Parigraha (acceptance of food/sustenance) in the context of final spiritual practices.

Key Themes and Concepts:

• Importance of Correct Conduct (Achar): The texts, especially the Chhed Sutras, emphasize adherence to strict codes of conduct for Jain monks and nuns.
• Penance and Atonement (Prayaschitta): A significant portion of the Chhed Sutras is dedicated to detailing offenses and the prescribed expiations through various forms of penance. This highlights the Jain emphasis on purifying oneself of karma.
• Spiritual Journey and Liberation: The Vayana texts and the commentary on practices like Santhara point towards the ultimate goal of spiritual liberation (Moksha).
• Cosmology and Heavenly Beings: Agam 33 (Devindathao) touches upon the Jain cosmology, describing the realms and hierarchy of celestial beings (Bhavanapati, Vanavyantar, Jyotishk, Vaimanika).
• Importance of Guru and Community (Gachcha): Agam 30 (Gachchachar) emphasizes the significance of the spiritual teacher (Guru) and the monastic community (Gachcha) in guiding the spiritual path and maintaining discipline. It highlights the qualities of a good Guru and the principles of monastic living.
• Philosophical and Ethical Principles: The texts explain concepts like the four refuges, the pursuit of eternal happiness, the distinction between transient and eternal, the importance of compassion, truthfulness, and the consequences of actions (karma).
• Detailed Exegesis: The "Gurjar Chhaya" commentary aims to provide a comprehensive and detailed explanation of these ancient texts in Gujarati, making them understandable to a wider audience.

Publisher and Supporters:

The publication is by Agamdip Prakashan, Ahmedabad, and supported by various individuals and organizations, indicating a community effort to preserve and propagate Jain scriptures.

In essence, this volume provides a deep dive into the ethical and disciplinary framework of Jain monasticism, offering detailed explanations of rules, offenses, penances, and the path to spiritual liberation, all presented through a traditional Gujarati lens.