Agam Sarini Granth - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Agam Sarini Granth" by Gyanchandra Swami, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Sri Agam Sarini Granth Author: Sw. Shrimad Upadhyaya, Sri Gyanachandraji Swami Publisher: Lakhamshi Keshavji, Dungarshi Chhansi, Bhanjaraj Ranshi and others. Published: 1940 CE (Vikram Samvat 1997) Language: Gujarati

Overall Purpose: The "Agam Sarini Granth" (Ocean of Agam Sutras) is a profound Jain scripture that aims to guide the spiritual aspirant from the mundane world towards ultimate liberation (Moksha). It meticulously outlines the progressive path of spiritual development, drawing extensively from the Jain Agamas. The book is written in a style that emphasizes understanding the underlying principles and practices of Jainism.

Key Themes and Structure:

The book is structured as a step-by-step guide, delineating the essential qualities and stages a soul must traverse to achieve spiritual purity and liberation. The central premise is that spiritual progress is achieved through a gradual ascent, moving from understanding basic principles to mastering advanced spiritual practices.

Core Content Breakdown:

Tribute to Spiritual Teachers: The initial pages include tributes to the author, Upadhyaya Gyanachandraji Swami, and his Guru, Pandit Suryamalla ji Swami. It highlights their immense contribution to Jainism through their teachings, spiritual practices, and prolific writing, emphasizing how they transformed followers of narrow views into proponents of Syadvada (the doctrine of manifold predication).
The Importance of True Guidance: The preface underscores the critical role of a Guru and true knowledge in overcoming ignorance and delusion. It emphasizes that by listening to a Sadguru's teachings, one can understand their eternal errors and find the path to lasting happiness, moving away from the path of suffering.
The Path to Moksha (The "Steps"): The book outlines the path to Moksha through a series of stages or "steps":
- Margaanusari (Follower of the Path): The first crucial step involves acquiring 35 essential qualities. These qualities are detailed extensively throughout the text, covering aspects like ethical conduct, righteous living, respect for elders, spiritual discipline, and mindful behavior.
- Samyaktva (Right Faith): After cultivating the qualities of a Margaanusari, one progresses to acquiring Samyaktva (Right Faith), also known as "Samabhav" (Equanimity). The book emphasizes that true progress cannot be made without establishing Samyaktva.
- Dravya Shravak (Material Householder): Upon attaining Samyaktva, the aspirant becomes a Dravya Shravak, characterized by 21 virtues.
- Bhava Shravak (Immaterial Householder): This stage involves cultivating internal purity and dedication, with 6 key characteristics and 17 specific virtues.
- Dravya Sadhu (Material Ascetic): The path then leads to the stage of a material ascetic, characterized by 7 key qualities and 6 virtues.
- Bhava Sadhu (Immaterial Ascetic): This is the stage of an advanced ascetic, marked by 7 cardinal qualities.
- Acharya (Spiritual Leader): The text describes the qualities of an Acharya and their eightfold attainments, including knowledge of scriptures, adherence to conduct, and leadership skills.
- Ruci (Inclinations): Ten types of spiritual inclinations are discussed.
- Samachari (Conduct): The ten principles of conduct for ascetics are detailed.
- Jnan and Kriya (Knowledge and Action): The book elucidates the interplay and essence of knowledge and action.
- Four Types of Sadhana: The text outlines four methods of spiritual practice.
- Utsarga and Apavada (General and Special Rules): The book explains the application of general principles and their exceptions.
- Seven Assemblies and Eight Vandanās: The text describes the assemblies of ascetics and the eight acts of reverence.
- Anashana (Fasting): It details 63 points related to fasting.
- Five Types of Practices: Five categories of worldly dealings are explained.
- Seven Nayas (Standpoints): A detailed explanation of the seven Jain philosophical standpoints is provided.
- Four Nikshepas (Categories): The four modes of classification are explained.
- Seven-fold Predication (Saptabhangi): The doctrine of Syadvada is elaborated.
- Four Types of Substances: The nature of the four types of substances is discussed.
- Six Substances (Dravyas): The attributes and transformations of the six fundamental substances are described.
- Fourteen Stages of Spiritual Development (Gunsthanas): A comprehensive explanation of the 14 stages of spiritual progress is given, including the types of sleep (Nidra) associated with each stage.
- Four Types of Meditation (Dhyana): The four forms of meditation are discussed in detail.
- Five Types of Conduct (Achara): The five types of conduct, from both a definite and practical perspective, are explained.
- Praise of the Creator: The text concludes with praise for the author.
Detailed Exposition of Margaanusari Qualities (Chapter 1 onwards):
- The book systematically lists and elaborates on the 35 qualities required to be a "Margaanusari" (one who follows the path). These are practical guidelines for ethical living and character building, including:
  - Integrity in Wealth: Earning and using wealth justly, avoiding dishonesty, bribery, and exploitation.
  - Good Conduct: Praising virtuous individuals, living with modesty, speaking truthfully, and avoiding slander.
  - Family and Social Harmony: Respecting elders, marrying within appropriate families, and maintaining social decorum.
  - Virtuous Living: Fearing sin, adhering to customs, avoiding harmful speech, choosing appropriate dwelling places, living in good company, and obeying elders.
  - Financial Prudence: Spending within one's means, allocating funds for charity, and avoiding extravagance.
  - Intellectual Development: Cultivating the eightfold qualities of intellect, such as eagerness to learn, retention, and understanding.
  - Health and Well-being: Avoiding overeating, eating at appropriate times, and practicing moderation.
  - Balancing Dharma, Artha, and Kama: Harmonizing spiritual duties, economic prosperity, and legitimate desires.
  - Charity: Giving to the needy, mendicants, and the worthy with devotion.
  - Avoiding Stubbornness: Maintaining an open mind and avoiding rigid adherence to one's own views.
  - Appreciating Virtue: Supporting and honoring virtuous individuals.
  - Renouncing Unsuitable Actions: Avoiding actions that harm Dharma or are prohibited by scriptures or rulers.
  - Respecting Spiritual Elders: Serving and learning from knowledgeable and virtuous individuals.
  - Responsibility: Fulfilling duties towards dependents.
  - Foresight: Thinking about future consequences before acting.
  - Discernment: Understanding the difference between right and wrong, beneficial and harmful.
  - Popularity: Becoming loved and respected through good qualities.
  - Modesty: Possessing a sense of shame for wrongdoings.
  - Humility: Showing respect to superiors in virtue, wealth, age, or position.
  - Compassion: Showing mercy and helping the distressed.
  - Peacefulness: Maintaining a calm demeanor.
  - Conquering Internal Enemies: Controlling lust (Kama), anger (Krodha), greed (Lobha), pride (Mana), deceit (Maya), and envy (Harsha).
  - Gratitude: Remembering and reciprocating favors.
  - Indriya Nigraha: Controlling the five senses.
Prohibited Foods (Abhakshya) and Unsuitable Foods (Anantkay): The book lists 22 prohibited foods and details the 32 types of Anantkay (foods containing innumerable living beings), explaining the Jain rationale for their avoidance.
Samyaktva (Right Faith) Explained: The text differentiates between Dravya Samyaktva (external adherence) and Bhava Samyaktva (internal conviction). It elaborates on the 67 aspects of Samyaktva, including the importance of faith in God (Arhat), Guru (Sadhu), and Dharma (Jain teachings). It explains the purification of the soul through various stages of spiritual progress leading to the attainment of Samyaktva.
Detailed Explanation of Qualities and Stages: The book delves deep into the specific virtues required at each stage of spiritual development, starting from the "Dravya Shravak" (21 virtues), "Bhava Shravak" (6 characteristics and 17 virtues), and moving towards the advanced stages of Sadhuhood. It provides detailed explanations of conduct, renunciation, and internal transformation.
Philosophical Concepts: It explains fundamental Jain philosophical concepts like Nayas (standpoints) and Nikshepas (categories), and the doctrine of Syadvada (Anekantavada) in detail. It also touches upon the six substances (Dravyas) and their attributes.
Stages of Spiritual Progress (Gunsthanas): A significant portion is dedicated to explaining the fourteen stages of spiritual development, detailing the mental states, karma modifications, and progress made at each stage. This section is crucial for understanding the gradual journey of the soul.
Types of Meditation (Dhyana): The four types of meditation (Arta, Raudra, Dharma, and Shukla Dhyana) are explained, highlighting their impact on karmic bondage and spiritual advancement.
Achara (Conduct): The five Achāras (Jnanāchāra, Darshanāchāra, Charitrāchāra, Tapāchāra, Viryāchāra) are discussed from both a definitive (Nishchaya) and practical (Vyavahar) viewpoint, emphasizing their importance in achieving liberation.
The Importance of a Guided Path: The text consistently emphasizes the necessity of following the guidance of enlightened teachers (Gitārth Gurus) and adhering to scriptural injunctions. It warns against following one's own limited intellect or pride, which can lead to spiritual downfall. The book stresses that true spiritual progress is achieved through the synthesis of knowledge (Jnan) and action (Kriya), guided by the principles of Syadvada.

Concluding Remarks:

"Agam Sarini Granth" is a comprehensive treatise that serves as an invaluable guide for Jain aspirants. It offers a systematic and practical approach to spiritual purification, emphasizing ethical conduct, intellectual understanding, and disciplined practice as the means to attain the ultimate goal of Moksha. The book's detailed explanations of virtues, stages of spiritual progress, and philosophical concepts make it a foundational text for those seeking to deepen their understanding and practice of Jainism.