Aymbilnu Mahatmya - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Aymbilnu Mahatmya" by Vanitabai Mahasati, based on the provided pages:

Aymbilnu Mahatmya: The Greatness of Aymbil Tap

This text, authored by Vanitabai Mahasati, elaborates on the significance and practice of Aymbil Tap, a crucial form of asceticism within Jainism, particularly emphasizing its benefits and spiritual efficacy.

The Essence of Aymbil Tap:

A Form of Rasatyag (Abstinence from Flavors): Aymbil is presented as a superior form of Rasatyag, one of the twelve types of tapas (austerities) aimed at nirjara (shedding of karmas). It involves the deliberate renunciation of taste and the renunciation of foods that are particularly appealing to the senses. The core principle is to detach oneself from the craving for delicious and strength-enhancing foods.
Purpose of Tapas: The text explains that tapas is the primary means to shed accumulated karmas that are deeply attached to the soul. While unconscious suffering (like enduring heat or cold) can lead to minor karma shedding (akam nirjara), conscious and deliberate tapas (sam nirjara) with proper understanding and intention leads to much greater shedding of karmas, purifying the soul.
Six External and Six Internal Tapas: The book outlines the six external tapas (Anashan, Unodari, Vrittisankshep, Rasatyag, Kayaklesh, Slinata) and six internal tapas (Prayashchit, Vaiyavachch, Swadhyaya, Vinay, Dhyan, Karyotsarg). Aymbil is a significant aspect of Rasatyag, which falls under external tapas but has profound internal implications.

Types and Variations of Rasatyag:

The text details various forms of Rasatyag, highlighting Aymbil as a prominent one:

Nivikrutik (Niviga): Consuming food without the six specific flavorful ingredients (milk, curd, ghee, oil, jaggery, and cooked grains).
Praneetras Parityag: Abstaining from foods that are overly rich or have strong flavors.
Aymbil: Eating a single meal per day, consisting of simple, unsavory items like dry chapati or boiled lentils.
Ayamsikthabhōji: Consuming only the residue or gruel from boiled grains.
Aras Ahar: Eating food without any added spices or tempering.
Virasa Ahar: Eating stale food that has naturally lost its flavor.
Annāhār: Consuming food made from very coarse grains, like lentil broth.
Prāntāhār: Consuming leftover food from others, or food made from very coarse grains.
Lukkh Ahar: Eating plain, dry food.

The text encourages gradual increase in Rasatyag, suggesting that even renouncing one "vigai" (forbidden ingredient) daily can be a form of practice.

The Special Significance of Aymbil:

Synonyms and Qualities: In Jain scriptures (Agamas), Aymbil is referred to as "Achamamla Tap." It is also called:
- Kamashan: It destroys lust and desires, leading to victory over senses, especially the sense of taste.
- Mangal: It brings auspiciousness, joy, and a smooth conclusion to all endeavors.
- Sheet: It pacifies the external environment, as well as the body, senses, and mind, calming anger and internal agitation.
When to Observe Aymbil: Aymbil is particularly observed during two specific periods:
- Chaitri Oli: From the 8th to the 15th day of the bright fortnight of Chaitra month (March/April).
- Ashwini Oli: From the 7th to the 15th day of the bright fortnight of Ashvina month (September/October). These are considered eternal festivals where devotion to God (Arhants and Siddhas), preceptors (Acharyas, Upadhyayas, Sadhus), and Dharma (knowledge, perception, conduct, and austerity) occurs.

Benefits of Aymbil Tap:

The text extensively details the manifold benefits of practicing Aymbil:

Spiritual Benefits:
- Destroys Karmas: It is stated that one session of Aymbil can destroy karmas equivalent to enduring thousands of years of suffering in hell.
- Attains Pure State: It helps the soul achieve its pure, karma-free state.
- Victory over Senses: It is essential for conquering the sense of taste, which is considered the most dangerous. Victory over taste leads to victory over other senses, leading to control over passions and ultimately to liberation (moksha).
- Attains Higher Status: Excellent practice of Aymbil can even lead to attaining the status of a Tirthankara.
- Reduces Attachment to the Body: It diminishes attachment to the physical body.
- Increases Devotion: It enhances devotion to the Lord and leads to generous donations.
- Opens Paths to Salvation: It closes the doors to lower realms and opens the gates to higher realms, leading to liberation.
Mental Benefits:
- Controls Food Cravings: It helps control the innate desire to eat (āhāra saṁjñā).
- Brings Peace: It cultivates inner peace, equanimity, and happiness.
- Reduces Attachment to Food: It fosters indifference towards food and a willingness to share good food with others.
- Removes Laziness: It helps overcome laziness and lethargy.
- Purifies Thoughts: It leads to a flow of pure thoughts in the mind of the ascetic.
Physical Benefits:
- Restores Health: It is a powerful remedy for diseases like cold, diabetes, indigestion, gas, fever, ulcers, blood pressure, and cholesterol. It cleanses the body from within.
- Increases Agility: It keeps the body light and energetic.
- Prevents Obesity: It prevents the accumulation of fat.
- Reduces Need for Medicine: Those who practice Aymbil often do not need to visit doctors. The story of King Shripal is cited where his leprosy was cured by Aymbil.
Economic Benefits:
- Reduces Expenses: Renouncing costly items like milk, ghee, oil, and sweets reduces food expenses.
- Decreases Worries: Lower expenses lead to fewer worries and anxieties.
- Reduces Greed: It diminishes desire and greed.

The "Vardhaman Aymbil Tap":

This is a specific and advanced form of Aymbil practice where the number of Aymbil meals is progressively increased, interspersed with fasts. The text describes a progression up to 100 Aymbil sessions, often combined with fasts, culminating in a total of 500 Aymbil meals and 100 fasts over a period of about fourteen years and twenty days without breaking the fasts. This demanding practice is highly praised for its power to control the senses and conquer karmas.

Examples and Testimonials:

The book includes a touching anecdote about a comb-seller woman whose husband suffered from a severe skin disease. Advised by a compassionate woman, she practiced Aymbil and performed Navpad (nine sacred entities) worship, leading to her husband's miraculous recovery. This story highlights the potent combination of Aymbil and devotion. The text also celebrates the remarkable asceticism of Sadhvi Shri Hanskitishriji, who performed 300 Olis (cycles of Aymbil practice), totaling 15,150 Aymbil meals and 300 fasts, a feat described as a world wonder and a great illumination to the Jain faith.

Festivals and Observances:

The text discusses the significance of various festivals like Parushana and the Athai festivals, emphasizing that observing religious practices during these times, especially on Purnima (full moon) and Amavasya (new moon), is highly beneficial. It is also advised to abstain from green vegetables and night meals on these festival days to minimize harm to living beings and to cultivate purer intentions.

Key Takeaway:

"Aymbilnu Mahatmya" serves as a comprehensive guide and inspiration for embracing Aymbil tapas. It underscores that through the rigorous practice of renouncing taste and engaging in simple eating, individuals can achieve profound spiritual, mental, and physical well-being, ultimately paving the way for liberation. The text strongly advocates for the practice, presenting it as a potent tool for self-purification and spiritual advancement in the Jain tradition.