Ansh Vachnano Sara Dvadashangino 2 - Book Summary

This document is the Gujarati text of "Ansh Vachnano Sara Dvadashangino," the second part of a series based on Jain scriptures, authored by Chandraguptasuri and published by Anekant Prakashan Jain Religious Trust. The text details a discourse on the path to Yoga, focusing on overcoming obstacles to spiritual progress.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key themes and advice presented in the text:

I. The Goal of Spiritual Practice:

The ultimate aim of spiritual practice is to guide souls trapped in the cycle of birth and death (samsara) towards liberation (moksha).
The path to moksha involves understanding and overcoming obstacles that hinder spiritual progress.

II. The Five Pillars of the Path (as presented in the 13th Shodashak):

The text emphasizes five crucial practices for renouncing the world and aspiring towards moksha:

Siddhant Katha (Study of Scriptures): This involves studying, listening to, and contemplating the teachings of the omniscient beings (Agams). It is essential for developing a resolve to leave the world and is described as a destroyer of worldly suffering. The author laments the current decline in this practice, with a preference for meaningless discussions (vikatha).
Satsang (Good Company): Satsang is necessary for understanding Siddhant Katha. Associating with virtuous individuals is vital for spiritual growth.
Guru Vinay (Respect for the Guru): Humility and respect towards the Guru are paramount. An disrespectful individual will not be taught or kept by the Guru. This practice is the starting point for Siddhant Katha.
Mrityu nu Paribhavan (Contemplation of Death): Reflecting on death is crucial. It helps in understanding the transient nature of the world and spurs the aspirant towards liberation.
Swakrut Punyapap nu Alochan (Self-Reflection on Merits and Demerits): Critically examining one's own past actions, both virtuous and sinful, is essential. This leads to taking responsibility for one's spiritual journey.

III. The Root Obstacle: Lack of Desire for Moksha:

A significant impediment is the lack of a genuine desire to escape the cycle of samsara and achieve moksha.
If one does not wish to embark on a journey, they won't worry about the means of travel or the obstacles. Similarly, if the desire for moksha is absent, concerns about spiritual hindrances won't arise.
The text questions why, despite knowing the world as dangerous and moksha as beautiful, people lack the motivation for liberation.

IV. The Problem of Vikatha (Meaningless Talk) and the Rise of Adharma (Unrighteousness):

There's a pervasive tendency towards "vikatha" (worldly gossip and trivial talk), even in religious settings, which destroys the essence of "siddhant katha."
Instead of discussing what scriptures say, people engage in discussions about what others are doing.
The text criticizes this, suggesting that self-reflection and analysis of one's own faults would be more beneficial than judging others.
The prevalence of "vikatha" in everyday interactions, even simple greetings like "How are you?" (kem chho?), starts a chain of worldly discussions. It is suggested to replace this with self-inquiry: "How am I?" (kem chhu?).

V. The Importance of Intent (Aashay):

The ultimate goal of religious practice is crucial. Is it for worldly happiness or for moksha?
While the actions might be religious, the underlying intent determines their fruitfulness.
Genuine spiritual practice requires a pure intention, not driven by the pursuit of worldly pleasures or the fear of worldly suffering.

VI. The Two Types of Yoga:

The text introduces two types of Yoga as described in the 14th Shodashak:

Salamban Yoga (Yoga with Support): This involves meditating on the form of Lord Jineshwara (e.g., their image, divine assembly). It is an external support for meditation.
Niralamban Yoga (Yoga without Support): This involves meditating on the intrinsic nature and qualities of Lord Jineshwara's soul (e.g., omniscience). It is an internal focus on the soul's true essence.

VII. Distinguishing External and Internal Attributes:

External attributes of Tirthankaras (like divine powers, assembly) are karma-generated and thus distinct from the soul.
Internal attributes (like omniscience) are the soul's intrinsic nature and inseparable.
The Tirthankara nama karma is shed through preaching and guiding others towards the faith, not through personal desire or intention at the time of its fruition.

VIII. The Significance of the Guru and Divine Grace:

The teachings highlight the paramount importance of the Guru and divine grace in the spiritual journey.
The examples of great souls like Udayan Rajarshi, Aimumuni, and Anandhi Muni are used to illustrate the power of contemplation and adherence to spiritual principles.

IX. The Eight Obstacles (Chitta Vislav) to Yoga:

The core of the discourse focuses on the eight mental defects that hinder spiritual progress and the practice of Yoga. These are elaborated upon:

Khed (Fatigue/Lassitude): Spiritual exertion leads to weariness, which can cause a halt in practice. The remedy is to develop a greater fear of samsara than of spiritual effort.
Udveg (Boredom/Disinterest): This is a sense of weariness or lack of enjoyment in spiritual practice, even without physical fatigue. It leads to perfunctory engagement. The solution lies in finding joy in the practice itself, not just its completion, and associating the effort with the ultimate goal of karma liberation.
Kshep (Distraction): The mind wanders to other activities during spiritual practice. This leads to incomplete rituals and delayed results. The solution is to cultivate a deep interest in the practice and maintain focus through diligent effort and potentially by involving the mind in devotional activities or remembering the ultimate goal.
Utthan (Re-emergence of Past Defects): After overcoming defects, they may resurface due to past karma. This leads to a loss of spiritual enthusiasm and a return to worldly attachments. The antidote is vigilance, avoiding triggers, and reinforcing the decision to renounce the world.
Bhranti (Illusion/Misconception): Seeing things as they are not, influenced by ignorance or stubborn attachment (kadagrah). This can lead to mistaking worldly pursuits for spiritual ones, or vice versa, and hinders the development of right faith (samyakdarshan). The solution lies in cultivating true knowledge and respecting the teachings of enlightened beings over personal interpretations.
Anyamud (Desire for Other Activities): A strong attraction towards a different, perhaps easier or more pleasurable, spiritual activity or worldly pursuit while engaged in a prescribed one. This indicates a lack of commitment and can lead to the loss of benefits from both. The key is to find joy and fulfillment in the prescribed practice, understanding its timely importance, and fulfilling the Guru's commands.
Rog (Defect/Error in Practice): Even with the right intention, errors in the execution of rituals or practices due to carelessness or ignorance. These "satiachar" (with defects) practices are ineffective and can even be detrimental. The solution lies in understanding the correct procedures, practicing diligently, and maintaining a pure intention.
Asang (Attachment to a Particular Practice/State): Becoming overly attached to a specific spiritual practice or state of progress, preventing further advancement. While a certain level of attachment to virtuous practices is necessary in earlier stages, it becomes an obstacle to higher spiritual realization. The solution is to view all practices as means to an end, always striving for higher spiritual states and ultimately for liberation, without resting on current achievements.

X. The Importance of Overcoming Obstacles for True Yoga:

The text stresses that all eight defects must be eradicated to achieve true Yoga and spiritual progress.
These defects hinder the ability to focus, maintain purity of practice, and ultimately achieve liberation.
The pursuit of moksha requires a constant effort to refine one's intentions, actions, and thoughts, shedding these mental impurities.

XI. The Path Forward:

The discourse concludes by encouraging the audience to actively work on removing these eight obstacles.
It emphasizes that the path to moksha is arduous but achievable with sustained effort, correct understanding, and the guidance of the Guru.
The ultimate aim is to achieve a state of equanimity, detachment from the world, and unwavering devotion to the spiritual path, leading to the ultimate goal of liberation.

In essence, the book serves as a spiritual guide, meticulously dissecting the common pitfalls on the path of Jain spiritual practice and offering practical advice, rooted in scriptural wisdom and the teachings of learned Acharyas, for overcoming them.