Antim Lakshya Karmkshay

This document is a Jain text titled "Antim Lakshya Karmkshay" (Ultimate Goal: Annihilation of Karma). It was authored by Muniraj Shri Hemant Vijayji M.S. and compiled/edited by Shri Shantibhai Dagli and Shri Vinubhai Shah. The publisher is Shri Shantibhai Mulchandbhai Dagli.

The book's core purpose is to explain the causes of karmic bondage and the methods for its eradication, leading to liberation (moksha).

Here's a breakdown of the content based on the provided pages:

Overall Theme: The central message is that the ultimate goal of a spiritual seeker is Karmakshay – the complete destruction of all karmas. The text emphasizes that by understanding the causes of karmic accumulation and diligently practicing remedies, one can achieve this ultimate goal and attain liberation.

Key Sections and Concepts:

• Introduction (Page 3-4):

  • Highlights the rare opportunity of a human birth to pursue the ultimate goal.
  • States that while many offer solutions for worldly problems, only the Arihant (Jinas) show the path to destroying karmas and achieving moksha.
  • Mentions that the accompanying chart (likely within the full text, not fully captured here) visually represents the current state of karmas in every soul, their causes, remedies, and liberation from the 8 types of karmas and their 158 sub-types.
  • Lists various practices for karma eradication: Namokar mantra recitation, fasting, meditation, worship on specific tithis, acts of compassion, and rituals for planetary and ancestral appeasement.
  • Explains how the eight types of worship and meditation on the eight Pratiharyas (auspicious attributes) of the Arihant help in karma destruction.
  • Details the 18 Papsthanas (sinful activities) and how they lead to karmic bondage, aiming to create awareness to avoid them.
  • Reiterates that freedom from karma is true freedom.
  • Mentions appendices containing details about the 12 vows, Charan Suttari, Karan Suttari, 10 Yatidharma, 10 Trik, 13 Kathiya, and 84 Ashatanas (offenses) in Jain temples.

• Prayer of a Seeker on the Path to Moksha (Page 5-8):

  • This section is a profound prayer for attaining a pure state of Samayik (equanimity).
  • It addresses Lord Simandhar Swami and the ultimate goal of experiencing the same supreme happiness and equanimity as the Arihants.
  • It describes the state of Tirthankar Permaatma, who are born in a state of Samayik, leading to the burning of Ghanaghati Karmas (heavy karmas) through Shukla Dhyan (pure meditation) and achieving omniscience.
  • The prayer emphasizes merging the self into the pure, viceless, state of the soul, free from thought and speech, akin to a wave merging back into the ocean.
  • It explains that during Samayik, even experienced karmas (Uday Karmas) are accepted without reaction, leading to their shedding (Nirjara), as they are seen as external to the true self.
  • The practice of Samayik gradually removes karmic veils, leading to the soul's inherent luminosity.
  • It states that Samayik encompasses the five great vows, self-control, effort, the five Parmeshthis, and the teachings of the Arihants.
  • The prayer concludes with the aspiration to become one with the pure, eternal, divine, and liberated state of the soul.

• Eight Types of Worship and Their Karmic Impact (Page 9, 22-32):

  • Jal Puja (Water Worship): Destroys Jnana-avaraniya Karma (knowledge-obscuring karma). The analogy is that just as water purifies external objects, worshipping the pure Jineshwar Bhagwan with water purifies the soul's Jnana-avaraniya Karma, helping attain omniscience.
  • Chandan Puja (Sandalwood Worship): Destroys Darshan-avaraniya Karma (perception-obscuring karma). Sandalwood is cooling; worshipping the cool Arihant with it helps pacify the soul's passions (kashayas) and overcome lethargy (nidra).
  • Pushpa Puja (Flower Worship): Destroys Vedaniya Karma (feeling-producing karma). Flowers symbolize gentleness and fragrance. Just as a flower offers fragrance even when crushed, the Arihants endured suffering without retaliation. Worshipping with flowers helps overcome suffering caused by Vedaniya Karma.
  • Dhoop Puja (Incense Worship): Destroys Mohaniya Karma (delusion-producing karma). Incense symbolizes the burning away of negative qualities. Worshipping with incense helps remove the "bad odor" of delusion and attachment, revealing the soul's true fragrant nature.
  • Deepak Puja (Lamp Worship): Destroys Ayushya Karma (life-span determining karma). The lamp signifies knowledge dispelling darkness. Worshipping with a lamp helps understand the true, eternal nature of the soul, liberating it from the cycle of birth and death.
  • Akshat Puja (Unbroken Rice Worship): Destroys Nama Karma (name/form determining karma). Unbroken rice symbolizes the pure, unchanging nature of the soul. Worshipping with it helps one realize their true nameless, formless self, free from the karmic influences that create identity and form.
  • Naivedya Puja (Food Offering Worship): Destroys Gotra Karma (lineage/status determining karma). Offering food represents relinquishing attachment to worldly sustenance. Worshipping with offerings helps transcend the distinctions of high and low lineage, achieving an unattached, detached state.
  • Phal Puja (Fruit Offering Worship): Destroys Antaraya Karma (obstacle-determining karma). Fruits symbolize the results of actions. Offering fruits to the Arihants helps remove obstacles to experiencing the fruits of one's own pure actions and ultimately attaining the fruit of liberation.

• Meditation on the Eight Pratiharyas (Auspicious Attributes of Arihants) (Page 9, 32-44):

  • This section details how meditating on each of the eight Pratiharyas (Ashok Tree, Divine Shower of Flowers, Divine Sound, Fly-whisk, Lion Throne, Halo, Divine Drum, Three Umbrellas) leads to the destruction of specific karmas:
    1. Ashok Tree: Destroys Jnana-avaraniya Karma. It symbolizes the absence of sorrow that comes with true knowledge.
    2. Divine Shower of Flowers: Destroys Darshan-avaraniya Karma. It represents the purity of vision and the removal of obscurations to true perception.
    3. Divine Sound (Divya Dhwani): Destroys Vedaniya Karma. The Arihant's speech is sweet and brings peace, like nectar, helping overcome suffering.
    4. Fly-whisk: Destroys Mohaniya Karma. The act of fanning symbolizes humility and devotion, which helps overcome pride and delusion.
    5. Lion Throne: Destroys Ayushya Karma. The stable throne symbolizes the eternal, unwavering nature of the soul, helping transcend the transient nature of lifespan.
    6. Halo (Bhamandal): Destroys Nama Karma. The halo signifies the brilliance of the soul's inherent qualities, obscuring the false identities created by Nama Karma.
    7. Divine Drum: Destroys Gotra Karma. The drum's sound invites all to the path of liberation, helping overcome the attachments that lead to unfavorable lineage.
    8. Three Umbrellas: Destroys Antaraya Karma. The umbrellas symbolize overcoming obstacles and reclaiming one's rightful spiritual authority.

• The Soul's Army vs. Mohaniya Karma's Army (Page 10-11):

  • The soul is portrayed as a king with an army: contentment as the chief minister, the five great vows as generals, and various virtues and practices as soldiers. This army fights against the king of delusion (Moh Raja) with his powerful forces like attachment, anger, ego, and deceit.
  • Mohaniya Karma is depicted as a king with a large army, including Maya (wife), Kamdev (son), Greed (minister), Anger, Pride, Deceit, and Greed (soldiers), and lesser delusions (Nokashayas) as his chariot. This section vividly illustrates the battle between the soul and the forces of delusion.

• Detailed explanation of each Karma (Page 11-44):

  • This extensive section describes the effects of each of the eight karmas on the soul's state, the activities that lead to their bondage, and the practices that lead to their annihilation.
    • Jnana-avaraniya Karma: Causes ignorance, lack of intelligence, poor memory, etc. Bondage occurs through disrespecting knowledge, teachers, or sacred texts. Annihilation comes through spreading knowledge, studying scriptures, and devotion to knowledge.
    • Darshan-avaraniya Karma: Causes sleepiness, lack of right perception, etc. Bondage occurs through disrespecting temples, idols, or those with right faith. Annihilation comes through respecting the divine, worship, and virtuous conduct.
    • Vedaniya Karma: Causes pleasure or pain. Bondage occurs through inflicting pain on living beings or engaging in harmful activities. Annihilation comes through acts of compassion, kindness, and penance.
    • Mohaniya Karma: Causes attachment, aversion, delusion, and various emotional disturbances. Bondage occurs through anger, pride, deceit, greed, and disrespecting religious figures or principles. Annihilation comes through practicing forgiveness, humility, contentment, and devotion.
    • Ayushya Karma: Determines the lifespan and destiny in different life forms. Bondage occurs through violence, excessive attachment, and negative emotions. Annihilation is achieved by living according to Dharma, which leads to a favorable rebirth and eventual liberation.
    • Nama Karma: Determines the physical form, qualities, and reputation. Bondage occurs through actions that create negative physical or reputational characteristics. Annihilation comes through virtuous actions, humility, and good conduct.
    • Gotra Karma: Determines lineage and social status. Bondage occurs through pride, disrespect, and divisive actions. Annihilation comes through humility, devotion, and respecting virtuous individuals.
    • Antaraya Karma: Creates obstacles to giving, gaining, enjoying, and effort. Bondage occurs through withholding charity, hindering others' progress, or being stingy. Annihilation comes through generosity, supporting others, and performing acts of service.

• Appendix (Page 54-58):

  • Lists the 12 vows in Jainism.
  • Details Charan Suttari (conduct related rules) and Karan Suttari (action related rules).
  • Enlists the 10 Yatidharma (qualities of ascetics).
  • Mentions Das Trik (ten groups of three) and Ter Kathiya (thirteen points of consideration for action).
  • Provides an extensive list of 84 Ashatanas (offenses or disrespects) that can be committed in a Jain temple, ranging from spitting or eating inside to improper seating and disrespecting the divine idols.

In essence, "Antim Lakshya Karmkshay" is a comprehensive guide for Jain followers on the spiritual path, providing detailed explanations of karma, its origins, its effects, and the prescribed methods for its eradication through various practices, meditations, and virtuous conduct, ultimately aiming for the soul's liberation.