Aptavani Shreni 14 Part 05

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Aptavani Shreni 14 Part 05" authored by Dada Bhagwan, based on the provided pages:

Overall Theme:

This volume, "Aptavani Shreni 14 Part 05," is a part of a series of discourses by Dada Bhagwan (also known as Dada Shree or Dada Shree), a spiritual master who attained Self-realization in 1958. The core theme revolves around the nature and attributes of the Soul (Atma) as expounded through Dada Bhagwan's unique spiritual science, referred to as "Akram Vignan" (the non-step path). The book delves into the profound spiritual truths about the Soul, aiming to liberate seekers from ignorance and suffering, ultimately leading them to Self-realization and liberation (Moksha).

Key Concepts and Teachings:

The volume systematically explores various facets of the Soul's true nature, using analogies and explanations to make these abstract concepts comprehensible. Here's a breakdown of the major themes covered:

• The True Nature of the Soul (Atma): The book emphasizes that the Soul is eternal, pure, and inherently blissful. It is described through numerous divine qualities, often using analogies to help the reader grasp its essence.

  • Kevalgyanat Swaroop (Omniscient Form): The Soul is inherently omniscient, luminous, and pure knowledge. Despite being covered by coverings of ignorance, its true nature remains untouched. Dada Bhagwan clarifies that while Mahatmas (followers who have received Self-realization) are on the path to realizing this absolute knowledge, Dada Bhagwan himself experiences it as the cause.
  • Vignant Swaroop - Vignanghan (Absolute Knowledge Form): The Soul is described as absolute knowledge, beyond the limitations of intellect and senses. It is distinct from relative knowledge gained through the intellect, which is temporary. This absolute knowledge, or Vignan, is the true nature of the Soul.
  • Chaitanyaghan Swaroop (Consciousness-Intensified Form): The Soul is pure consciousness, indivisible, and the source of eternal bliss. It is the solidified form of pure knowledge and consciousness, which experiences the true nature of existence.
  • Vishuddh (Pure): The Soul is inherently pure, untainted by any karma or external influences. Any perceived impurity is due to mistaken identification with the body and mind.
  • Sachchidanand Swaroop (Existence-Knowledge-Bliss Form): The Soul is the embodiment of eternal existence, pure knowledge, and absolute bliss. This state is the ultimate goal of spiritual pursuit.
  • Swa-samvedan - Spasht Vedan (Self-Perceived - Clear Experience): The Soul experiences its own true bliss, which is not dependent on external factors. This self-experience leads to liberation from suffering. Spasht Vedan (clear experience) is the ultimate realization of the Soul's true nature.
  • Avyabadh - Abadhy (Unassailable - Unaffected): The Soul is inherently unaffected by any external worldly experiences, be it pleasure or pain. It remains pure and untouched by the worldly play.
  • Tankotkirn (Intact/Undefiled): This is a profound Jain philosophical term referring to the Soul's nature of remaining separate and unaffected by other elements, even when in conjunction.
  • Kalp Swaroop - Achintya Chintamani Swaroop (Wish-Fulfilling Form - Unthinkable Jewel): The Soul is described as being capable of manifesting whatever it truly believes in or focuses on, akin to a wish-fulfilling jewel. However, this power is realized in its pure state.
  • Chintve Tevaro Thay (Becomes as one Thinks): A fundamental principle that whatever the Soul sincerely believes or focuses on, it tends to manifest that reality. This highlights the power of belief and focus in spiritual progress.
  • Prakash Swaroop (Form of Light): The Soul is depicted as pure light, self-luminous, and the source of all illumination. This light is not like worldly light but is the eternal, unchanging essence of the Soul.
  • Gyaniyo-e Anubhavyo, Anadi Gyat-Prakash (Experienced by the Enlightened, Eternal Knowledge-Light): The divine light of the Soul, experienced by the Enlightened Ones, is eternal and unchanging.
  • Swa-Par Prakashak (Illuminator of Self and Others): The Soul has the inherent capacity to illuminate itself and all of existence.
  • Pramay-Pramata (Object of Knowledge - Knower): The Soul is the Knower (Pramata) of all knowable objects (Pramay).
  • Sarvavyapak-Sarvavyapi (All-Pervading): While the Soul's essence is all-pervading, its manifestation in the embodied state is according to the body's limitations. However, upon liberation, its consciousness truly pervades all.
  • Amurta-Arupi (Immaterial - Formless): The Soul is immaterial and formless, beyond the perception of the physical senses. Its true nature can only be realized through spiritual insight.
  • Agochar - Atindriyagamya (Unperceivable - Beyond the Senses): The Soul is beyond the reach of the ordinary senses and intellect. It can only be realized through divine grace and spiritual insight.
  • Sukshmatam (Extremely Subtle): The Soul is of extreme subtlety, finer than the finest atom, and thus unaffected by gross matter.
  • Alakh Niranjan-Nirakar (Unperceivable - Untainted - Formless): The Soul is unperceivable to the ordinary mind, untainted by any karmic residue, and formless in its true essence.
  • Akash Jesev Swaroop (Form like Ether): The Soul's pervasive and unaffected nature is compared to the ether, which pervades everything without being affected by it.
  • Arisa Jesev Swaroop (Form like a Mirror): The Soul, like a mirror, reflects all realities without itself being altered or affected.
  • Sankoch-Vikas-Sheel (Contractible-Expansible): In the embodied state, the Soul's manifestation appears to contract or expand according to the body and its karmic coverings, but its true essence remains unaffected.
  • Urdhvagami (Ascending): The inherent nature of the Soul is towards ascension and liberation.
  • Moksha (Liberation): The ultimate state of the Soul, free from all karmic bondage and suffering, residing in its pure, blissful, and omniscient state.
  • Siddha Bhagwant-Siddha Kshetra (The Liberated Ones - The Abode of the Liberated): The summary also touches upon the state of liberated Souls in Siddha Kshetra, their eternal bliss, and their independent existence.

• The Akram Vignan Path: Dada Bhagwan's unique spiritual path, "Akram Vignan," is highlighted as a direct and accelerated path to Self-realization. It bypasses the gradual, step-by-step progression of traditional paths, offering a shortcut through spiritual science and self-application.

• The Role of the Gnani Purush (Enlightened One): The text emphasizes the crucial role of the Gnani Purush (Dada Bhagwan) in imparting Self-knowledge and guiding seekers to realize their true Self. The "Gnan Vidhi" (the process of Self-realization) is presented as a transformative event that permanently establishes the belief, "I am the Pure Soul."

• The Importance of the Number Fourteen: The text notes the significance of the number fourteen in Jainism and spiritual contexts, linking it to various concepts like the fourteen Aptavani volumes, the fourteen years of adherence to the Gnani's teachings, the fourteen Rajlok, fourteen Gunashthana, fourteen Purva knowledge, and Lord Rama's fourteen-year exile.

• The "Aptavani" Series: This volume is part of the "Aptavani" series, which compiles Dada Bhagwan's spiritual discourses. The series aims to encapsulate the essence of all scriptures and serve as a guide for spiritual seekers.

Structure and Style:

The book is presented in a question-and-answer format, with an interviewer asking questions to Dada Bhagwan, who then provides clear and insightful answers. The language is Gujarati, and the style is direct, practical, and aimed at making complex spiritual concepts accessible to the common person. The inclusion of numerous verses and quotes, attributed to Dada Bhagwan himself, further enhances the spiritual depth.

Overall Message:

"Aptavani Shreni 14 Part 05" offers a comprehensive guide to understanding the Soul and its true nature. It presents Dada Bhagwan's Akram Vignan as a direct and accessible path to Self-realization, emphasizing the importance of the Gnani Purush's grace and teachings. The book provides a detailed exploration of the Soul's divine attributes, aiming to liberate seekers from worldly suffering and guide them towards eternal bliss and liberation.