Anekta Me Ekta - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text "Anekta Me Ekta" by Amarmuni, focusing on the philosophical concepts presented:

The book "Anekta Me Ekta" (Unity in Multiplicity) by Amarmuni explores the multifaceted philosophical landscape of ancient India, highlighting the existence of five prominent, often conflicting, schools of thought that were present even during the time of Lord Mahavir and continue to hold influence today. The author aims to present these different perspectives and ultimately reconcile them through the Jain principle of Anekantavada (non-absolutism).

The five philosophical schools discussed are:

Kalavada (Doctrine of Time): This ancient philosophy asserts that time is the supreme determinant of all events and actions. According to Kalavada, everything that happens, whether good or bad, occurs due to the influence of time. Without the appropriate time, factors like nature, karma, effort, and destiny are powerless. Examples include a newborn infant's inability to walk or talk until the appointed time, a mango seed developing into a tree and bearing fruit only after years, and the seasonal occurrence of heat, cold, and physical development. Kalavada emphasizes that human effort cannot override the unfolding of time.
Svabhavavada (Doctrine of Nature/Inherent Quality): This philosophy posits that all actions and occurrences in the world are solely the result of the inherent nature or intrinsic quality of objects. Svabhavavada argues that time, karma, destiny, and other factors are secondary to this inherent nature. For instance, a mango seed has the inherent nature to produce a mango tree, which is why a gardener's efforts are successful. If time were everything, it couldn't create a mango tree from a neem seed. The text emphasizes that changing an object's fundamental nature is impossible, citing the example of a neem tree remaining bitter even if nurtured with sugar and ghee. The inherent nature of fire is heat, water is coolness, the sun is light, and stars are to shine at night.
Karmavada (Doctrine of Karma): This is a widely recognized and influential philosophy in India, stating that karma is the sole ruler of the universe, rendering time, nature, and effort insignificant. Karmavada explains the differences observed among individuals, even those born from the same mother at the same time, by attributing these variations to their past karmas. It highlights how intelligent individuals might suffer poverty while less intelligent ones attain wealth, and how even basic necessities like clothing can be scarce for one while luxuries are abundant for another. The saying "Gahana Karmano Gatih" (The ways of karma are profound) is quoted, emphasizing the deep and often unfathomable influence of karma in shaping one's destiny, from making a king a pauper to a pauper a king.
Purusharthavada (Doctrine of Effort/Human Endeavor): This philosophy, while perhaps less understood by many, stresses the indispensable role of human effort in achieving success in any endeavor. Purusharthavada contends that behind every action in the world lies the hidden effort of the doer. It questions Kalavada by asking what would happen if, even at the right time, there was no effort. It counters Svabhavavada by asking if a mango tree would grow from a seed simply by being kept in a storeroom without planting and nurturing. Similarly, it questions if karmic fruits can be obtained without any effort. The text attributes humanity's progress – flying in the air, exploring oceans, breaking mountains, reaching the moon, and making scientific discoveries – to human endeavor. It uses the analogy of a hungry person needing to chew and swallow food, even when placed in their mouth, to illustrate that effort is always required. The call to action is: "Be a person, make an effort, rise up."
Niyativada (Doctrine of Destiny/Fate/Natural Law): This profound philosophy asserts that all events in the world are governed by the unchangeable laws of nature, which are referred to as destiny or Niyati. Niyativada explains why the sun rises in the east and not the west, why lotuses grow in water and not on rocks, why birds fly and donkeys don't, why swans are white and crows are black, and why animals have four legs while humans have two. Any deviation from these natural laws would lead to universal chaos and destruction. The text states that all other doctrines are insignificant in the face of Niyati's unyielding principles, as no one can act against nature's established order. Some scholars also interpret Niyati as "what is destined to happen."

The author observes that these five doctrines engage in constant intellectual conflict, with each asserting its own supremacy and negating the others. This argumentation creates confusion among the general populace, preventing them from grasping the true essence of reality.

Lord Mahavir's Reconciliation: Anekantavada

The book highlights that Lord Mahavir provided a comprehensive solution to this intellectual conflict. He revealed a truth that does not negate any of these philosophies but rather synthesizes them, offering a practical ideal for life.

The Principle of Coordination (Samanvay): Lord Mahavir's teachings emphasize that all five doctrines are valid in their own context and that worldly events occur through their coordination or harmony. No single force can achieve an outcome on its own. A wise person should abandon rigid adherence to one viewpoint and strive for the integration of all perspectives. Expecting success without this coordination is merely a delusion. Absolute insistence on a single viewpoint leads to rigidity (kadagraha) and ultimately to conflict (vigraha). While one factor might be primary in a particular situation, others are still essential, and no single factor can independently bring about an outcome.

Examples of Coordination: The text illustrates this coordination with the example of a gardener planting a mango seed.

Svabhava: The mango seed has the inherent nature to produce a mango tree.
Purushartha: The gardener must plant and nurture the seed.
Kala: The seed will only grow and bear fruit after a specific period of time.
Karma: Even after these steps, favorable karma is necessary for the fruit to grow; otherwise, the tree might not bear fruit, or a ship nearing the shore might still sink.
Niyati: The very fact that a mango grows from a mango seed is a natural law (Niyati), and what is destined to happen, will happen.

The same principle applies to a student seeking knowledge. They need:

Svabhava: Concentration of mind.
Kala: Favorable timing.
Purushartha: Diligent effort.
Karma: Expulsion of negative karma and emergence of positive karma.
Niyati: Consideration of natural laws and destiny.

Conclusion: The author concludes that the synthesis achieved through Anekantavada (the Jain principle of non-absolutism) is the only way to truly illuminate the path of truth for the public. Humanity's intellect is currently trapped in a vortex of conflicting ideas, and rigid adherence to one-sided viewpoints prevents the proper resolution of problems. Therefore, understanding this Jain philosophy of Anekantavada, or "Samanvayavada" (the doctrine of coordination), is crucial for finding solutions and achieving unity in multiplicity.