Be Ghadi Yog

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Be Ghadi Yog" by Dhirajlal Tokarshi Shah, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Be Ghadi Yog (Two Moments of Yoga)

Author: Dhirajlal Tokarshi Shah

Publisher: Shri Muktimall Jain Mohan Granthmala

Core Theme: The book emphasizes the profound significance and practical application of Yoga, particularly within the Jain tradition, focusing on achieving equanimity (Samata) and spiritual liberation. The central practice discussed is Samayika, considered a paramount tool for attaining equanimity.

Overall Purpose: "Be Ghadi Yog" aims to elucidate the glory of Yoga, its benefits, its true nature, and its practical implementation, especially through the Jain practice of Samayika. It seeks to guide individuals towards inner peace and spiritual progress by understanding and practicing these principles.

Key Sections and Concepts:

1. The Glory and Benefits of Yoga (Page 4-8):

   • Glory: Yoga is described as a powerful force capable of destroying the cycle of birth, old age, death, disease, and sorrow, comparable to the wind dispersing clouds or fire consuming wood. It's likened to the wish-fulfilling tree (Kalpataru) and the wish-fulfilling jewel (Chintamani), being the foremost among all dharmas and the home of Siddhi (liberation).
   • Benefits (Lābha): Practicing Yoga yields numerous virtues:
     • Inner Qualities: Steadfastness (Dhruti), forgiveness (Kshama), good conduct (Sadachar), increase in virtuous tendencies, attractivenes, leadership qualities, and unparalleled peace and happiness.
     • Mental Purity: Freedom from prejudice and stubbornness, the ability to tolerate dualities (pleasure/pain), absence of age-related physical decline, and mental equanimity.
     • Spiritual Attainment: Stability of intellect, faith in soul, karma, rebirth, deities, and gurus, friendliness towards all beings, popularity, and an insightful mind capable of discerning truth.
     • Physical Well-being: Control over sensory organs, freedom from disease, absence of cruelty, pleasant body odor, reduced excretion, radiance, cheerfulness, and melodious speech.
     • Advanced Benefits: Cessation of inner enemies (lust, anger, etc.), profound contentment, proper conduct, equanimity, destruction of enmity, and the attainment of "Ritambhara Prajna" (truth-bearing wisdom).
   • Ritambhara Prajna: This is a higher form of wisdom that transcends ordinary knowledge derived from scriptures, inference, and worldly perception. It directly perceives extraordinary qualities and hidden truths.
   • Destruction of Vices: Through Yoga, one can overcome the negative sanskaras that lead to harmful intentions, such as violence. This leads to a state where even naturally inimical creatures co-exist peacefully.
   • Mahabharata Quote: A verse states that one who bestows fearlessness upon all beings has nothing to fear from any being.

2. Libilities (Laddhis) Attained Through Yoga (Page 8-10):

   • Material/Supernatural Powers: Mention of abilities like controlling elements, healing through touch, the power of movement in the sky (Chāranalabdhi), the power of control and grace (Āshīvisha labdhi), clairvoyance (Avadhi jnana), and mind-reading (Manah paryaya jnana).
   • Spiritual Resilience: Yoga acts as armor against desires and temptations. The story of Mahamatra Sthulabhadra illustrates this, showing how he remained unaffected by the allurements of a courtesan named Kesha.

3. The Story of Mahamatra Sthulabhadra (Page 10-26):

   • This section serves as a powerful exemplar of Yoga's efficacy. Sthulabhadra, a revered monk, stays with the courtesan Kesha during Chaturmas (four-month rainy season retreat) to test his Yoga practice.
   • Kesha attempts to seduce him with her beauty, allurements, and reminders of their past relationship.
   • Sthulabhadra, rooted in his Yoga and detachment, remains unmoved, explaining the ephemeral nature of worldly pleasures and the deceptive nature of the body.
   • Kesha's attempts highlight the contrast between worldly attachment and spiritual discipline.
   • Sthulabhadra's responses demonstrate the detachment required, emphasizing that true spiritual practice can occur even in challenging environments.
   • The narrative also includes a story of another monk who, despite ascetic practices in a lion's cave, succumbs to temptation when staying at Kesha's house, underscoring the importance of internal fortitude over external austerity.
   • The story highlights the Jain principle that true asceticism is not about location but about internal detachment and control.

4. The Nature of Yoga (Page 27-39):

   • Definitions: Yoga is defined in various ways: union of soul with the Supreme Being, connection of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul, cessation of mental fluctuations, skill in action, and equanimity. All definitions point to the process of transforming the soul towards its true, supreme state.
   • Jain Perspective: The Jain tradition emphasizes Yoga as a spiritual endeavor that connects the soul to liberation (Moksha). It's seen as a means to achieve this ultimate goal.
   • Stages of Yoga: The text outlines stages in the path of Yoga: Adhyātma (self-reflection), Bhāvanā (meditative contemplation), Dhyāna (concentration), Samata (equanimity), and Vritti Sankshaya (cessation of mental modifications).
   • Key Jain Practices within Yoga:
     • Adhyātma: Practicing diligently and without negligence.
     • Bhāvanā: Cultivating four types of emotions: Maitri (friendliness towards all beings), Pramod (joy in others' virtues), Karuna (compassion for the suffering), and Madhyastha (equanimity).
     • Dhyāna: Concentration of the mind.
     • Samata: Equanimity, remaining unperturbed by pleasure or pain.
     • Vritti Sankshaya: Complete cessation of emotions like anger, pride, deceit, greed, laughter, grief, fear, etc., leading to Kevalajnana (omniscience).
   • The Four Purusharthas (Goals of Life): Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha. Moksha is the highest, and Yoga is its cause. The path to Moksha is the "Ratnatraya" – Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct.
   • Integration of Bhakti, Jnana, and Karma Yoga: The text argues that true Yoga integrates devotion (Bhakti), knowledge (Jnana), and action (Karma). Right Faith aligns with devotion, Right Knowledge with Jnana, and Right Conduct with Karma Yoga.
   • Emphasis on Samayika: Samayika, as a practice of equanimity and non-violence, is highlighted as the essence of Right Conduct and a direct path to Moksha.
   • Samvara and Nirjara: These are presented as the core principles within Jain Yoga, encompassing numerous practices like the five observances (Samitis), three restraints (Guptis), twenty-two austerities (Parishahas), ten vows of ascetics (Yatidharma), twelve meditations (Bhavanas), and five types of conduct (Charyas). Nirjara involves various austerities and practices for shedding karma.

5. The Practice of Yoga Sadhana (Page 40-49):

   • Necessity of Action: Merely reading scriptures is insufficient; practical application (Kriya) is essential for Siddhi.
   • Two Main Pillars: Vairagya (detachment) and Abhyasa (practice).
   • Vairagya: Renunciation of worldly pleasures and attachments.
   • Abhyasa: Consistent practice, crucial for stabilizing the mind, controlling breath, achieving bliss, and realizing the self.
   • Six Essential Elements for Yoga: Enthusiasm (Utsaha), courage (Sahasa), fortitude (Dhairyā), knowledge of truth (Tattva Jnana), firm resolve (Nishchaya), and abandoning worldly company (Janasangaparityaga).
   • Caution Against Modern Yoga Centers: The text critiques modern yoga centers that compromise on principles like detachment from sensual pleasures, simple living, and avoiding company that rekindles desires.
   • Importance of a Guru: The indispensable role of a qualified Guru is stressed for guiding the seeker on the Yoga path. The description of an ideal Guru is provided, emphasizing detachment, purity, and adherence to principles.

6. Samayika - The Essence of Yoga (Page 49-88):

   • Central Practice: Samayika is presented as the core of Yoga, the essence of conduct, and the means to attain equanimity. It's stated that all past, present, and future liberated souls achieved liberation through Samayika.
   • Benefits of Samayika: It purifies the soul, destroys karma, leads to Kevalajnana (omniscience), and is considered superior to all other merits. Even divine beings aspire for even a moment of Samayika.
   • Meaning of Samayika: It signifies equanimity, detachment from attachment and aversion, and the cessation of harmful activities.
   • Eight Synonyms: Samayika, Samayika, Samavada (truth), Samasa (union/concentration), Sankṣepa (essence), Anavadya (blameless), Parignā (renunciation), and Pratyākhyāna (vow).
   • Illustrative Stories:
     • Damdant: A king who witnessed the impermanence of worldly phenomena (clouds) and renounced his kingdom to practice Samayika, remaining undisturbed by the actions of both friends (Pandavas) and foes (Kauravas).
     • Metarya Muni: A monk who, despite being falsely accused and physically tormented by a goldsmith, adhered to the principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Samayika, eventually attaining Kevalajnana.
     • Yajñadatta: A king who promoted animal sacrifice, warned by Acharya Kalaka about the fruits of his actions, eventually understood the importance of symbolic sacrifice (Bhāva Yajna) and renounced his violent practices. This illustrates the principle of Samavāda (truth).
     • Chilati's Son: A thief who, upon being shown the essence of Yoga (Upasham, Vivek, Samvara), renounced his violent path and attained spiritual merit. This exemplifies Samasa.
     • Four Scholars: Their endeavor to condense vast knowledge into single verses illustrates Sankṣepa.
     • Dharmaruchi: A prince who renounced worldly life and embraced Anavadya (blameless conduct) through his understanding of non-violence.
     • Ilaputra: A young man who, after experiencing the futility of worldly pleasures and the reality of the soul's immortality, renounced his life of entertainment and attained Kevalajnana. This demonstrates Parignā.
     • Piththila and Amatya Tetliputra: Their stories highlight the importance of Pratyākhyāna (vows and resolutions) in overcoming despair and embracing spiritual discipline.
   • Procedure for Samayika: The book details the rituals involved in performing Samayika, including purification, prayer, reciting specific mantras like the Namokar Mantra, the Irjyavahi Sutra, the Kausarga Sutra, and the Logas Sutra, and finally the Samayik Sutra itself. It emphasizes the importance of adhering to the prescribed rituals with proper intention and devotion.

Overall Message: "Be Ghadi Yog" advocates for a holistic approach to spiritual practice, integrating philosophical understanding with disciplined action. It emphasizes that true Yoga is not merely about physical postures or theoretical knowledge but about cultivating inner equanimity, detachment, and righteous conduct, with Samayika serving as a foundational practice for this transformative journey within the Jain tradition.