Agam Sutra Satik 15 Pragnapana UpangSutra 04

This Jain text, "Agam Sutra Satik 15 Pragnapana UpangSutra 04," is a commentary (Satik) on the Agam Sutra, specifically focusing on the Pragnapana Upanga Sutra, which is the fourth of the twelve Upanga Sutras in Jainism. The commentary is attributed to Muni Deepratnasagar. The text provided is Volume 10 of a larger collection titled "Agam Sutrani (Satik)".

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided text, broken down by the pages and their content, keeping in mind the context of Jain philosophy and terminology:

Overall Scope:

The text is a detailed explanation and commentary on the Pragnapana Upanga Sutra, a foundational Jain scripture. The Pragnapana itself deals with a vast array of subjects, primarily focusing on the nature, classification, and characteristics of souls (jivas) and non-souls (ajivas) within the Jain cosmological framework. The commentary aims to elucidate these complex concepts with meticulous detail.

Summary by Page:

• Page 1: This page contains the title of the book, "Agam Sutrani (Satik)," Volume 10, and the name of the author/editor, Muni Deepratnasagar. It begins with a devotional salutation: "Namo Namo Nirmal Darshansya" (Salutations to the Pure Vision).

• Page 2: This page continues the introductory devotional salutations, honoring spiritual gurus and masters. It reiterates the title "Agam Sutrani (Satik)," Volume 10, identifying the specific text as "Pragnapana - Upanga Sutra - 1." It also provides publication details: Publisher: Agam Shrut Prakashan, Contact Location: "Agam Aradhana Kendra" in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The date of publication is noted as April 14, 2000.

• Page 3: This page presents a detailed Vishayanukrama (Subject Index) for the Pragnapana Upanga Sutra. It outlines the content covered in the first part of the text (pages 1-191, covering Pad 1 to Pad 14). The index lists various topics discussed in terms of "Pada" (Chapter/Section) and "Dwara" (Gate/Aspect). Key topics include:

  • Jiva Prajnapana and Ajiva Prajnapana: Classification of souls and non-souls.
  • Sthana (Location): Location of various types of beings (celestial, infernal, human, animal).
  • Bahuvaktavyata (Extensive Discussion): Numerous "Dwaras" (aspects) are listed, covering a wide range of characteristics: direction, motion, senses, body, vital energies (yoga), feelings, passions (kashaya), dispositions (leshya), views (drishti), knowledge, ignorance, perception, restraints, metabolism, speech, etc.
  • Pudgala, Disha, etc.: Discussion on subtle and gross matter, direction, etc.
  • Sthiti (Duration): Duration of lifespans for various beings.
  • Vishesha (Special Characteristics): Reasons for the infinitude of souls and non-souls.
  • Vyutkranti (Transmigration/Change): Various aspects related to transmigration, such as the cessation of transmigration in certain births, the twelve aspects of the twelve-fold danda-kaya (categories of existence).
  • Further Dwaras: Breath, classification of consciousness (sanjna), species (yoni), the final birth (charama), speech, body, consequences of actions, passions, senses, usage, dispositions, etc.

• Page 4: This page continues the Vishayanukrama, detailing the remaining topics covered in the first part of the Pragnapana:

  • Vakya (Speech): Different types of speech.
  • Sharira (Body): Five types of bodies.
  • Parinama (Consequences/Results): Results of soul's actions related to motion, senses, passions, knowledge, ignorance, perception, conduct, and feelings.
  • Kashaya (Passions): Four types of passions and their detailed descriptions.
  • Further Topics: Classification based on context (e.g., twenty-four danda-kayas), longevity, mind, qualities, etc.

• Page 5: This page indicates the division of the Pragnapana Upanga Sutra into two main parts:

  • Bhagah-10: Pragnapana Upanga Sutra-1: Covering Padani 1-14.
  • Bhagah-11: Pragnapana Upanga Sutra-2: Covering Padani 15-36. This implies that the provided text is the continuation, focusing on the latter part of the sutra.

• Page 6-8: These pages are primarily acknowledgments and dedications to financial contributors who sponsored the publication. This is common in religious and scholarly texts, where the printing costs are often offset by donations from devotees or organizations. The names listed reflect a commitment to Jain principles and the dissemination of knowledge.

• Page 8 onwards (specifically Page 8): This is where the actual commentary (Vritti) on the Pragnapana Upanga Sutra begins, starting with the first Pada (Chapter/Section).

  • Invocation: The text opens with traditional Jain invocations, glorifying the pure vision (Nirmal Darshan), the fifth Ganadhara Shri Sudharma Swami, and Lord Mahavir.
  • Introduction of Prajnapana: The author defines the word "Prajnapana" itself. It is explained as that which "prakarshena jnapyante" (is made known through excellent means) or "prashashtena jnapyante" (is made known through excellent means), by which souls and non-souls (jivas and ajivas) and other principles are revealed to the intellect of disciples. It is identified as an Upanga of the Samavaya, the fourth Anga. The purpose of this detailed explanation is to benefit those with lesser intellects.
  • Purpose of the Shastra: It highlights the necessity of explaining the purpose and auspiciousness (mangal) of a scripture for the engagement of the audience. The purpose is twofold: ultimate (param) and proximate (apar). Both are further divided into purpose of the author and the listener.
  • Author's Role and Motivation: The author expresses humility, acknowledging their limited intellect and stating that this commentary is being presented according to the time and tradition, owing to the grace of the guru.
  • The First Verse: The text begins the detailed commentary on the first verse (moola sutra), which is a salutation to the Siddhas who have overcome birth and death and then to Lord Mahavir, the supreme among Jinavaras (conquerors of passions) and the guru of the three worlds. The commentary elaborates on the meaning of "Siddha" (liberated souls), "Vyapagata jaramarana bhayan" (free from the fear of aging and death), and the significance of bowing in three ways (manasa, vachana, kaya).
  • Analysis of the Verse: The commentary delves into grammatical aspects, such as the use of the ktva suffix and its implications in avoiding deterministic views of permanence and impermanence. It then analyzes the praise of Lord Mahavir, explaining the significance of his epithets like "Jinvarendra" (foremost among conquerors) and "Trailokya Guru" (Guru of the three worlds), connecting these to his knowledge, puja, and compassion.

• Page 9-28: This extensive section constitutes the detailed commentary on the first Pada (chapter) of the Pragnapana Sutra, which is itself titled "Prajnapana." The commentary systematically breaks down the sutra and explains each concept.

  • Definitions and Classifications: The text starts by defining the scope of Prajnapana as dealing with Jiva (soul) and Ajiva (non-soul). It then categorizes Ajiva into Rupi Ajiva (material substances like Pudgala) and Arupi Ajiva (immaterial substances like Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Kala).
  • Detailed Analysis of Ajiva: The commentary meticulously breaks down Arupi Ajiva into its constituents: Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, and Kala (time). It discusses their respective attributes, such as their existence as astikayas (substance with infinite or numerous spatial points), their parts (desha), and their ultimate points (pradesha).
  • Detailed Analysis of Pudgala (Rupi Ajiva): This is a major focus. It details the classification of Pudgala (matter) into skandhas (aggregates), skandha-desha (parts of aggregates), skandha-pradesha (points of aggregates), and paramanu (fundamental particles). It then elaborates on the characteristics of matter based on color (5 types), smell (2 types), taste (5 types), touch (8 types), and form/shape (5 types). The text goes into significant detail about the atomic structure and combinations of matter, even providing numerical details about the composition of various shapes.
  • Classification of Jiva: The commentary then shifts to Jiva (soul), classifying it into Samsara-samapanna Jiva (souls in the cycle of birth and death) and Asamsara-samapanna Jiva (liberated souls).
  • Details of Liberated Souls: It discusses Anantar siddha (souls liberated in immediate succession) and Parampara siddha (souls liberated in successive order), further categorizing them based on various criteria like being ordained by Tirthankaras, self-enlightened, individually enlightened, by gender, by the presence of body, or by number of souls liberated at the same time.
  • Details of Souls in Samsara: It then discusses souls in Samsara, categorizing them based on their number of senses (Ekendriya, Diendriya, Triindriya, Chaturindriya, Panchindriya).
  • Classification of Ekendriya: The text provides a detailed breakdown of Ekendriya (one-sensed beings) into Earth-bodied, Water-bodied, Fire-bodied, Air-bodied, and Plant-bodied beings, further categorizing them into subtle and gross, and then into those with complete and incomplete development (paryapta and aparyapta).
  • Detailed Classification of Panchindriya: It elaborates on the Panchindriya (five-sensed beings) by their realms of existence: hellish beings (nairayika), animals (tiryagyonika), humans (manushya), and celestial beings (deva). For each of these, it provides further subdivisions, enumerating various types of hells, animal species, human lineages, and celestial classes. The text goes into remarkable detail about the characteristics, lifespan, and the specific conditions of their existence.
  • Interdependence of Categories: The text often explains how different categories are related or how certain classifications are further subdivided, demonstrating a systematic and exhaustive approach to Jain philosophy.
  • Mala Giri's Commentary: The commentary by Acharya Mala Giri is evident throughout, providing definitions, explanations, and elaborations on the original sutras.

Key Jain Philosophical Concepts Discussed:

• Jiva and Ajiva: The fundamental dualistic categories in Jainism, soul and non-soul, are extensively analyzed.
• Pudgala: The nature and manifestations of matter are detailed, from fundamental particles to complex aggregates and their sensory properties.
• Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Kala: The principles of motion, rest, space, and time, as immaterial substances, are discussed.
• Prajnapana: The act of making known or revealing truths, central to the text's purpose.
• Samsara and Moksha: The cycle of birth and death and the state of liberation are central themes.
• Karmas: The concept of karma, its bondage, fruition, and eventual shedding for liberation, is implicitly or explicitly present in the descriptions of beings and their states.
• Indriyas (Senses): The nature and function of the five senses are detailed.
• Kashaya (Passions): The four cardinal passions (anger, pride, deceit, greed) and their role in bondage are explored.
• Leshya (Dispositions): The sixfold classification of spiritual dispositions (colored dispositions) is discussed, linking them to the states of beings.
• Karma: The text implicitly discusses the karma that binds beings to the cycle of samsara, influencing their birth, lifespan, and experiences.
• Avagahana (Spatial Extent) and Padesha (Spatial Points): The text delves into the spatial dimensions of substances and beings, discussing their extent and the number of points they occupy in the Jain universe.
• Uccvasa (Breath) and Nihsvasa (Exhalation): The biological processes of breathing are analyzed in relation to different life forms.
• Siddha (Liberated Souls): The characteristics and states of liberated souls are described.

Significance of the Text:

This text is a critical resource for understanding the depth and breadth of Jain teachings as expounded in the Agamas. The Pragnapana sutra is known for its encyclopedic nature, and this commentary by Muni Deepratnasagar aims to make these profound teachings accessible and understandable. The meticulous detail, especially in classifications and enumerations, highlights the rigorous analytical framework of Jain logic and philosophy. The inclusion of the author's name and the publication details underscore its role in preserving and disseminating traditional Jain knowledge.