Balbodh Pathmala 2

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Balbodh Pathmala 2" by Hukamchand Bharilla, based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose:

"Balbodh Pathmala 2" is an educational book designed for young learners, aiming to impart fundamental Jain principles and values. The content is presented in a question-and-answer or dialogue format, making it engaging and easy to understand for children. The book covers various aspects of Jain philosophy, ethics, and the life of Lord Mahavir.

Key Themes and Chapters:

The book is structured into eight "Path" (lessons), each focusing on a specific topic:

1. Dev Stuti (Prayer to the True God):

   • This chapter defines a "true god" as someone who is Vitaraag (free from attachment and aversion), Sarvagya (omniscient), and Hitkar (a preacher of welfare).
   • The prayer emphasizes the importance of eradicating Mithyatva (false belief) and attaining Samyagyan (right knowledge).
   • It outlines aspiring for virtuous conduct, including non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, celibacy, and contentment.
   • It also highlights the need for equanimity in happiness and sorrow, adherence to the path of justice, self-strengthening, and seeking the cessation of karmas.

2. Paap (Sins):

   • This lesson explores the nature of sins, identifying Mithyatva as the greatest sin, even more so than the five major sins (violence, falsehood, theft, unchastity, and greed/possession).
   • It explains that Mithyatva is the root cause of engaging in other grave sins, leading to continuous cycles of birth and death (Sansar Bhraman).
   • The dialogue differentiates between Dravya Hinsa (physical violence) and Bhav Hinsa (internal violence caused by emotions like attachment, anger, and greed).
   • It clarifies that true Satya (truth) must be understood before it is spoken.
   • Parigraha (possessiveness) is explained not just as accumulating wealth but as the desire for it and attachment to it.
   • The chapter concludes that Mithyatva and Kashays (passions) are the root of all sins.

3. Kashay (Passions/Vices):

   • This chapter defines Kashays as mental afflictions that cause suffering to the soul. It explains that Kashays are Vibhav (unnatural states) rather than the soul's natural state (Swabhav).
   • Raga (attachment) and Dvesha (aversion) are explained as the foundation of Kashays.
   • The four primary Kashays are detailed: Krodh (anger), Maan (pride), Maya (deceit), and Lobh (greed).
   • It's emphasized that Kashays arise from the mistaken belief that external objects are either favorable or unfavorable.
   • The path to overcoming Kashays is through the study of Tattva-Gyan (knowledge of reality), which leads to seeing external objects as neither favorable nor unfavorable.

4. Sadachar (Good Conduct):

   • This section uses a story-telling format to illustrate the consequences of negative behaviors.
   • The first story involves a stubborn, greedy, angry, and proud child who gets bitten by a scorpion after throwing away his sweet. The moral is to avoid anger, pride, greed, and stubbornness.
   • The second story highlights the importance of avoiding Ratribhojan (eating at night), explaining its potential dangers through an anecdote of a poisoned meal. It also touches on the intensification of attachment during night meals, hindering spiritual progress.
   • A third point emphasizes Pani Galne (filtering water) after observing microscopic organisms in water, promoting purity and non-violence.
   • The importance of proper conduct in a gathering (like a child's assembly) is also implicitly shown through the interaction between the chairperson and a speaker.

5. Gati (States of Existence/Realms):

   • This lesson explains the Jain concept of four Gatis (realms of existence) where souls transmigrate: Narak (hellish beings), Tiryanch (animals/sub-human beings), Manushya (human beings), and Dev (celestial beings).
   • It's clarified that all four Gatis involve suffering and are part of Samsara.
   • The text describes the harsh conditions of Narak Gati, emphasizing extreme heat, cold, hunger, thirst, and conflict.
   • Tiryanch Gati encompasses a vast range of beings, from plants to animals.
   • Dev Gati is characterized by sensory pleasures and comforts, but still within the cycle of existence.
   • Manushya Gati is highlighted as a precious human birth, crucial for spiritual progress and the attainment of Moksha (liberation).
   • The causes for rebirth in each realm are briefly mentioned (e.g., excessive attachment and possessiveness leading to Narak, Maya for Tiryan**ch, slight attachment and simplicity for Manushya, and good deeds with some attachment for Dev).
   • The ultimate goal is to transcend all four Gatis and achieve Siddha Pad (the state of liberation) through Vitraag Bhav (a state free from passions).

6. Dravya (Substances/Categories):

   • This chapter introduces the fundamental Jain ontological concept of Dravya (substances or categories).
   • There are six types of Dravyas: Jeev (soul/living being), Pudgal (matter), Dharma (principle of motion), Adharma (principle of rest), Akash (space), and Kaal (time).
   • Pudgal is described as that which has touch, taste, smell, and color.
   • Jeev is defined by its possession of consciousness or knowledge. All other Dravyas are Ajiv (non-living).
   • The functions of Dharma (enabling motion), Adharma (enabling rest), Akash (providing space), and Kaal (enabling change/time) are explained.
   • It's stressed that the universe (Vishva or Lok) is eternal, uncreated, and composed of these six Dravyas.
   • God (Bhagwan) is defined not as a creator but as one who knows all substances and events in the universe.
   • Each Dravya is the doer of its own modifications; no substance is the creator of another.

7. Bhagwan Mahavir:

   • This lesson provides biographical information about Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara.
   • His birth name was Vardhaman, born in Kundalpur approximately 2500 years ago.
   • He attained omniscience and became Bhagwan Mahavir through intense self-discipline and spiritual practice.
   • His other names are explained: Veer and Ativeer (for his bravery), Sanmati (for his perfect knowledge), and Vardhaman (his birth name, also signifying growth).
   • His parents were King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala Devi. He renounced worldly life at a young age and practiced severe austerities for 12 years before attaining Kevalgyan (omniscience) at the age of 42.
   • He preached for 30 years, and his liberation (Nirvana) occurred on Diwali at Pavapuri.
   • Key teachings are presented: equality of souls, Godhood is attainable through effort, God is only a knower, not a doer, the soul's nature is to know, not to have passions, importance of compassion, and the sinfulness of lying, stealing, deceit, and greed.

8. Jinvaani-Stuti (Praise of Jinvaani):

   • This final chapter praises Jinvaani, the sacred scriptures or the teachings of the Tirthankaras.
   • Jinvaani is described as that which destroys ignorance (Mithyatva), illuminates knowledge, reveals the true nature of the self and others, and provides the means to understand the six Dravyas.
   • It guides one to experience the soul, attain realization, live without harming others, and achieve true happiness.
   • The verses emphasize that Jinvaani is the true path to crossing the ocean of existence and attaining eternal bliss.

Publisher and Donor Information:

The book is published by Todarmal Granthamala, Jaipur. The electronic version was made available through the donation of Rajesh and Jyoti Shah in memory of their mother, Laxmiben Premchand Shah. The AtmaDharma.com website is the platform for accessing this electronic version, with a request for error reporting to improve accuracy.

In essence, "Balbodh Pathmala 2" serves as an accessible introduction to core Jain tenets, presented in a child-friendly manner, covering the nature of the divine, ethical conduct, the consequences of sins and passions, the cycle of existence, fundamental substances, and the life and teachings of Lord Mahavir.