Anandsamucchayo Nam Yogshastram - Book Summary

This document is a descriptive introduction and partial translation of the Anandsamucchayo Nam Yogshastram (आनन्दसमुच्चयो नाम योगशास्त्रम्) by Shilchandrasuri, published by ZZ_Anusandhan.

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Introduction and Significance:

The Anandsamucchayo is a yoga treatise attributed to a unique yogi named Samucchaya (समुच्चय).
It appears to be published for the first time here, as research on the text and its author has yielded limited information.
The manuscript itself is estimated to be from the 15th century, indicating the author lived or wrote before that period.
The author is identified as a yogi-siddha (accomplished yogi) belonging to the Natha Sampradaya (नाथसम्प्रदाय), as evidenced by the lineage of gurus mentioned at the beginning of the text.

Guru Lineage:

The text lists the following gurus:

Buddhanatha (बुद्धनाथ)
Chaityanatha (चैत्यनाथ)
Lokananatha (लोकनाथ)
Samvara (संवर)
Jalandhara (जालन्धर)
Krishnanatha (कृष्णनाथ)
Rudra (रुद्र)
Niranjana (निरञ्जन)
Kathamanthanatha (कठमठनाथ)
Paramdevanu (परमाणुदेव)
Samucchaya (समुच्चय) - The author himself.

The names of the first four gurus show a strong influence of Buddhist philosophy. Jalandhara is a well-known figure in the Gorakhnath lineage. Krishnanatha seems associated with Kanha or Kaniphnath.

Holistic Approach to Yoga:

The author is presented as a sincere practitioner of yoga, not bound by any particular religion or philosophy. This is evident from the mangalacharan (auspicious invocation) and the final chapter, which demonstrates the yogic relevance of the six Darshanas (philosophical schools).

Content and Structure:

The text provides a detailed and insightful exposition of specific yogic subjects and practices.
The author claims that the clarity, detail, and systematic presentation of yogic substances and processes in this work are unparalleled.
It is suggested that the themes might be found in texts like Am anysak Yoga, Goraksha Samhita, and Gheranda Samhita, and are likely prominent in the Natha tradition and Gorakh Vani. A verse from Gorakhnath is cited as an example of the themes covered in chapters 5-6 of this text.
The entire work is divided into eight chapters:
1. Sthana Prakarana (स्थान प्रकरण - Chapter on Places/Centers)
2. Nadi Prakarana (नाडी प्रकरण - Chapter on Nadis/Energy Channels)
3. Mantra Prabhava Prakarana (मन्त्रप्रभाव प्रकरण - Chapter on the Efficacy of Mantras)
4. Dhyana Bheda Prakarana (ध्यानभेद प्रकरण - Chapter on Types of Meditation)
5. Chandra Karma Prakarana (चन्द्रकर्म प्रकरण - Chapter on Lunar Practices)
6. Surya Karma Prakarana (सूर्यकर्म प्रकरण - Chapter on Solar Practices)
7. Siddhi Prakarana (सिद्धि प्रकरण - Chapter on Accomplishments)
8. Mukti Prakarana (मुक्ति प्रकरण - Chapter on Liberation)
The book contains approximately 280 verses (shlokas).

Author's Intention:

The first 11 verses serve as an introduction, mentioning auspiciousness, the guru lineage, and the reason for writing the scripture.
The author states his intention to fill the gap in existing yoga texts, many of which lack clarity or completeness, and to offer a clear and comprehensive scripture.
He expresses confidence that individuals with faith in the path of liberation will find no disagreement in his spiritual expositions, and even atheists, who are considered enemies of the path, will develop faith through the practical benefits experienced from following the teachings of this yoga.

Chapter Summaries (as detailed in the text):

Chapter 1: Sthana Prakarana: Deals with "places" or energy centers in the body. It emphasizes the importance of first focusing on dharma (righteousness) and moksha (liberation) as goals, but also on maintaining the body's well-being by addressing impurities like the three doshas. It details the names and nature of various "places" (chakras) that are influenced by the mind. Verse 43 speaks of the ultimate "Param Pad" attained through various places, and verse 44 describes the measurements of the physical, subtle, and upper bodies.
Chapter 2: Nadi Prakarana: Describes Nadis like Ida, Pingala, and Sushumna.
Chapter 3: Mantra Prabhava Prakarana: Discusses the efficacy of mantra syllables (bīja-akṣaras) related to different places and their impact.
Chapter 4: Dhyana Bheda Prakarana: States that mantras are only fruitful through meditation. This chapter details meditation processes, the chanting of specific mantra syllables in various mudras for specific purposes, and their results.
Chapter 5: Chandra Karma Prakarana: Names and describes 16 kalas (phases/energies) of the moon, such as Shankhini, and 42 practices like Shankhasarana.
Chapter 6: Surya Karma Prakarana: Extensively details the 12 kalas of the sun and 42 practices.
Chapter 7: Siddhi Prakarana: Explains the attainment of the five elemental tattvas. It describes when each element is secondary or primary, how variations in their quantity occur, who benefits from their mastery, and the results.
Chapter 8: Mukti Prakarana: Offers a philosophical discussion on achieving liberation by controlling the mind, senses, and body. It explains how the six Darshanas, despite their different philosophical paths, ultimately lead to samadhi and yoga. The text then systematically presents how followers of Buddhism, Nyaya, Sankhya, Mimamsa, Charvaka, and Jainism can embrace the yogic path.
- Buddhism (Shaakya/Saugata): The text shows how each Buddhist philosophical tenet can be interpreted through a yogic lens.
- Nyaya: Discusses their position.
- Sankhya: Describes their stance.
- Mimamsa: Explains their yogic practices.
- Charvaka: This philosophy, which accepts only the material world, is presented as achieving liberation by mastering the "भूत" (elements/material). The text humorously suggests that if a Charvaka desires nothing beyond the material, they are also considered liberated.
- Jainism: The text highlights the famous posture of the Jin (Tirthankara) with their gaze fixed on the tip of the nose and body relaxed in Padmasana, stating that this posture itself teaches the path of meditation to people in the current era. The essence of Lord Jin's practice is also summarized, attributed to a skilled yogi's description.

Concluding Remarks:

Verses 37-38 contain concluding statements, urging readers not to distort the nectar-like words emanating from "Paramanu Guru" with superficial or conflicting interpretations, as the words of the innocent Siddhas are never contradictory.
The manuscript is described as largely pure, with some text missing, necessitating the search for other copies.
The author's mastery of language, poetry, and meter is praised.
The ideal manuscript is located in the Bhandar of Shri Vijaynemisuri Gyanashala in Khambhat. The editor has included the author's marginal notes and variant readings from this manuscript. Despite efforts, no other copies could be found, and awareness of the text and author was minimal. A late, impure copy was found in the Shri KailasSagar Suri Gyanabhandar in Koba, which was used for filling in some lacunae.
The author concludes with a prayer that a dedicated yogic practitioner will study this text and reveal its essence to the curious.

Additional Information:

The text includes the Marathi translation of the title and author.
The document is part of "Anusandhan 43" published in March 2008.
Specific verses are referenced for each topic discussed.
The last few pages contain the actual verses from the book, covering the first few chapters in detail, including the specific Sanskrit mantra syllables and the meditative postures associated with them. The verses are numbered, with some having bracketed numbers likely indicating their position within a chapter or the entire work.

In essence, this document is an academic introduction and excerpt from a significant, albeit lesser-known, Jain yogic text that emphasizes a holistic and comprehensive approach to yogic practices, drawing influences from various philosophical traditions.