Antkrut Dasha Sutra - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Antkrut Dasha Sutra" in English, based on the provided PDF excerpt:

Antkrut Dasha Sutra: A Summary

The Antkrut Dasha Sutra is the eighth Anga (limb) of the Jain Agamas (scriptures). This text, written in Prakrit as Antgadadsa Sutra and in Sanskrit as Antkrut Dasha Sutra, is a collection of biographical accounts of 90 practitioners, predominantly from the eras of Tirthankara Arishtenemi and Lord Mahavir, who attained liberation (Siddhi, Buddhi, Mukti) in the very same lifetime they undertook their rigorous spiritual practices. The text is highly inspirational for its emphasis on self-effort and karma shedding, demonstrating that one's birth, social class, or background are not impediments to achieving ultimate spiritual goals.

Significance during Paryushan:

The Antkrut Dasha Sutra is particularly significant during the Paryushan festival, a period of eight days dedicated to spiritual purification. Its structure aligns perfectly with the festival's duration, as it is divided into eight sections (varg). Reading this Sutra over the eight days of Paryushan provides ample opportunity for introspection and inspiration. The narratives within the Sutra focus on individuals who achieved complete annihilation of the eight karmas through intense penance and self-discipline, making it an ideal scripture for the spiritual aspirations of Paryushan. The festival aims at cultivating eight virtues and weakening the eight karmic forces, and the Antkrut Dasha Sutra beautifully illustrates the lives of those who succeeded in this endeavor.

Content and Structure:

The Antkrut Dasha Sutra contains the life stories of a diverse range of individuals, including kings, queens, princes, wealthy merchants' sons, guild leaders, garland makers, children, young adults, mature individuals, and even those who died young. These individuals, from various walks of life, embraced renunciation, practiced severe austerities, engaged in scriptural study, meditation, self-control, and cultivated virtues like forgiveness and equanimity. The text also offers glimpses into the lives of figures like Sudarshan Shravak, Krishna Vasudev, and Queen Devaki.

Through these stories and biographies, the Sutra imparts profound and inspiring lessons. The most crucial aspect is that all 90 practitioners described achieved liberation in the same birth through their arduous practices. Reflecting on these great souls' lives during Paryushan inspires peace, detachment, and other essential virtues.

A Brief Overview of the Eight Sections:

First Section: Features ten princes, including Gautam Kumar, Samudra Kumar, Sagar Kumar, Gambhir Kumar, Stimita Kumar, Achal Kumar, Kampil Kumar, Akshobh Kumar, Prasannajit Kumar, and Vishnu Kumar. They all took diksha (initiation), practiced for twelve years, and attained liberation through masika sanlekhana (monthly spiritual fast unto death) on Shatrunjay Mountain. The city of Dwarka is also described in this section.
Second Section: Details the lives of eight royal princes, sons of King Andhakavrushni and Queen Dharini. They also embraced initiation, practiced for sixteen years, and achieved Siddhi, Buddhi, and Mukti after a month-long sanlekhana on Shatrunjay Mountain.
Third Section: Comprises thirteen chapters. The first six chapters describe six princes: Aniyasen Kumar, Anantse, Ajitsen, Anantarish, Devsen, and Shatrusen. They were the sons of Naga Gathapati and born from Sulsa. They practiced for twenty years, studied fourteen Purvas (ancient Jain scriptures), and attained liberation after a month-long sanlekhana. The seventh chapter focuses on Sāran Kumar. The eighth chapter narrates the story of Gajasukumar Angar, along with a depiction of Krishna Vasudev, Queen Devaki, and their six sons arriving at the royal palace for a single meal. This section also portrays Devaki's longing for children and Krishna's devotion to his mother. The ninth chapter describes Sumukh Kumar, who took diksha from Bhagwan Arishtenemi, practiced for twenty years, and attained liberation through santhara (spiritual fast unto death). Chapters ten to thirteen describe Durmukh, Kupadarak, Tarak, and Anadrishti.
Fourth Section: Contains ten chapters, detailing the lives of ten princes like Jali and Mayali. Despite their upbringing in royal luxury, they were inspired by Arishtenemi's teachings, took diksha, and attained liberation through rigorous spiritual practice.
Fifth Section: Includes ten chapters. The first eight chapters are dedicated to eight queens of Krishna Vasudev: Padmavati and others. Foreseeing the destruction of Dwarka due to the curses of Surā, Agnidev, and Rishi Dvaipayana, and inspired by Bhagwan Arishtenemi's sermons in the religious assembly, they took initiation and achieved liberation through severe spiritual practices. The ninth and tenth chapters describe Mulashri and Muldattā, the daughters-in-law of Shri Krishna Vasudev. They also renounced the world after understanding its impermanence and attained liberation through intense spiritual devotion.
Sixth Section: Consists of sixteen chapters and marks the beginning of the narratives from the era of Lord Mahavir. Chapters one, two, and four to fourteen describe thirteen individuals who were gathapati (heads of guilds or families). Chapter three extensively details Arjuna Mali Angar. It highlights Sudarshan Shravak's deep longing to see Lord Mahavir and Arjuna Mali Angar's remarkable achievement of shedding immense negative karma through intense penance, equanimity, and forgiveness within a short span of six months. Chapter fifteen narrates the story of the young Atimukta Kumar, proving that renunciation can be undertaken at a young age. Chapter sixteen describes King Alak, who studied eleven Angas, practiced for many years, and attained liberation on Vipulgiri mountain.
Seventh Section: Contains thirteen chapters, describing the thirteen queens of King Shrenik, including Nanda, Nandavati, and Nandottara. They attended Lord Mahavir's religious assembly, were deeply impressed by his teachings, took initiation, and attained liberation through severe spiritual practices.
Eighth Section: Features ten chapters describing individuals who were queens of King Shrenik and step-mothers of King Konik. Inspired by Lord Mahavir's renunciation-oriented sermons, they took initiation from Aryā Chandanbala. These great queens shed their karmas through intense austeries. Their names and the specific austerities they performed are listed:
1. Kali - Ratnavali
2. Sukali - Kanakavali
3. Mahakali - Laghu Simha Nishkridita
4. Krishna - Mahā Simha Nishkridita
5. Sukna - Sapt Saptamika, Asht Ashtamika, Nav Navamika, Das Daskamika Bhikshu Padima
6. Mahakrishna - Laghu Sarvato Bhadra
7. Virakrishna - Mahā Sarvato Bhadra
8. Ramakrishna - Bhadrottara
9. Pitrusenakrishna - Muktavali
10. Mahasenakrishna - Āyambil Vardhamān Tapa

These queens bravely embraced austerities, purifying themselves in the fire of penance. Their descriptions of austerity serve as a significant inspiration for readers to undertake similar practices.

Key Teachings from the Sutra:

The Antkrut Dasha Sutra imparts several crucial lessons:

"Sanyamah Khalu Jivanam": Renunciation and self-control are life itself.
No Procrastination in Dharma: Do not delay in religious duties. Age, lineage, or caste are not obstacles to embracing renunciation.
Unwavering Faith: Like Sudarshan Shravak, one should possess immense faith in deities, gurus, and dharma.
Equanimity in Adversity: Like Gajasukumar, one should remain in a state of equanimity when facing life-threatening hardships and trials (parishah).
Karma Shedding through Trials: Like Arjuna Mali Angar, one should bear the trials and tribulations of renunciation with equanimity to shed karmas.
Spiritual Advocacy: Like Krishna Vasudev, one should champion the cause of Dharma.
Rigorous Austerities: Like Aryas Kali, Sukali, and others, one should practice severe penance.

Conclusion:

The Antkrut Dasha Sutra is filled with profound inspiration for confronting the "eight enemy karmas." The propagator of this Sutra was Lord Mahavir, and later, Sudharma Swami explained its meaning and secrets to his disciple Jamboo Swami. During the auspicious days of Paryushan, by studying the words of this Agama, we should strive to pacify our passions, cultivate simplicity and forgiveness in our minds, and increase our devotion to penance and renunciation. This is the guiding essence of the Antkrut Dasha Sutra.