Bhagwati Upkram - Book Summary

Bhagwati Upkram: A Comprehensive Summary

This document is a summary of the Jain text "Bhagwati Upkram," authored by Jankaray Muni and Jagdish Muni and published by Shamji Velji Viri and Kadvibai Virani Sarak Trust. The text is a commentary or explanation of the Bhagwati Sutra, a pivotal scripture in Jainism, particularly within the Svetambara tradition. The summary, derived from the provided pages, offers a glimpse into the vast scope and depth of Jain philosophy as presented in this work.

The Bhagwati Sutra, also known as Vyākhyā Prajñapti (meaning "exposition of explanations"), is considered the fifth Anga (limb) of the Jain canon (Dvadashangi). Its significance lies in its comprehensive question-and-answer format, covering a wide range of topics discussed between Lord Mahavir Swami and his chief disciple, Gautam Swami, along with other disciples and even external interlocutors. The text explores the nuances of Jain cosmology, the nature of souls and their transmigration, karma theory, the classifications of beings, spiritual progress, ethical conduct, and the intricacies of Jain practices.

Key Themes and Contents Covered in the Summary:

The provided pages, though extensive and detailing numerous topics, can be broadly categorized as follows:

1. Introduction and Salutations:

The text begins with salutations to Lord Mahavir and his disciples, highlighting the importance of the Jain tradition and the lineage of spiritual teachers.
The introduction emphasizes the significance of the Bhagwati Sutra within the Jain Shastra, describing it as a vast ocean of knowledge that clarifies doubts and enhances spiritual understanding.
The choice of the name "Upkram" is explained as a special, diligent, and methodical beginning to understanding the complex concepts within the Bhagwati Sutra.

2. The Significance of Bhagwati Sutra:

The text underscores the unique position of the Bhagwati Sutra among the other Angas due to its broad coverage, incorporating questions from various individuals, including gods, kings, disciples, and ascetics from different philosophical backgrounds.
It highlights that the Bhagwati Sutra contains 36,000 questions and their answers, making it a repository of detailed Jain doctrine.

3. Core Jain Principles and Concepts:

Karma: The text delves extensively into the theory of karma, explaining its binding, its different types (like Mohaniya Karma, Ayushya Karma), and how actions (karma) influence the soul's journey. The concept of the "bhānga" (modes or variations) related to karma and its effects is a recurring theme.
Soul (Jiva): The nature of the soul, its characteristics, its presence in various life forms (earth-bodied, water-bodied, fire-bodied, wind-bodied, plant-bodied, and beings with senses), and its journey through different lifespans and realms are discussed.
Dravyas (Substances): The foundational six substances of Jainism – Jiva (soul), Pudgala (matter), Dharmastikaya (medium of motion), Adharmastikaya (medium of rest), Akashastikaya (space), and Kaal (time) – are frequently referenced and analyzed.
Gati (Destiny/Rebirth): The text details the movement of souls between different realms (hells, animal realms, human realms, and heavens) and the causal factors influencing these transitions.
Leshya (Soul-Colouration): The discussion touches upon the seven soul-colours (Krishṇa, Nila, Kapota, Teju, Padma, Shukla) and their association with karmic bondage and spiritual progress.
Samyam (Restraint) and Virati (Abstinence): The importance of practicing restraint and abstinence from worldly pleasures and harmful actions is emphasized as a path to liberation.
Dṛṣṭi (Views/Beliefs): The text differentiates between right view (Samyakdarshan), wrong view (mithyadarshan), and mixed view (mithyadarshan), explaining their role in spiritual development and karmic bondage.
Yoga (Activity): The three types of activities – mind, speech, and body – are discussed in relation to karmic influx and liberation.
Upayog (Consciousness/Apprehension): The text clarifies the concepts of direct (sakara) and indirect (akara) apprehension and their relation to soul consciousness.
Arambhi and Anarambhi Jivas: The classification of beings based on their involvement in actions that harm living beings is explored.
Arambhi: Beings that initiate actions causing harm.
Anarambhi: Beings that are free from initiating harmful actions.
Aparārambhī: Beings that are not involved in such actions.
Aṇārambhī: Beings that are not involved in such actions.
Saṁvr̥tta and Asaṁvr̥tta: Beings that have their karmic influx stopped and those whose influx is not stopped.

3. Detailed Explorations (Excerpts from the Table of Contents): The extensive table of contents reveals the granular level of detail in the Bhagwati Sutra and its commentary, covering topics such as:

Karma Prakriti: The eight types of karmas and their functioning.
Vedas (Sentiments): Discussions on the experience of pleasure and pain.
Causes of Lifespan: Factors influencing short and long lifespans.
Physical Bodies: The nature and formation of various bodies.
Substances and their Interactions: How Dharmastikaya, Adharmastikaya, Akashastikaya, etc., interact with each other and with Pudgala.
Consciousness and its States: Various states of consciousness and their implications.
Deva Lokas (Heavenly Realms): Detailed descriptions of the various heavenly abodes, their inhabitants, lifespans, and rebirth cycles.
Narakas (Hellish Realms): Descriptions of the hellish realms, the suffering of beings there, and the nature of their karmic consequences.
Aupapāt (Incarnation/Birth): The processes of birth and rebirth in different forms.
Vigrahagati (Intermediate State): The state of the soul between death and rebirth.
Pudgala: The nature of matter, its transformations, and its interaction with the soul.
Anekāntavāda (Doctrine of Manifold Aspects): The text implicitly demonstrates this principle through its multifaceted explanations of reality, where various perspectives are presented.
Arambhi and Anarambhi Jivas: The classification of beings based on the initiation of actions causing harm.
Samvrtta and Asaṁvrtta: The state of karmic influx being stopped or not stopped.
Kālasya: Discussions related to time, including its duration and effects.
Paryaya: The states or transformations of substances.
Alpabahutva: A detailed analysis of the relative quantities and durations of various phenomena.

4. Philosophical Debates and Refutations:

The text addresses and refutes various philosophical viewpoints, such as those of Jāmali, Goshala (Mankhali), and Ajivikas, highlighting the Jain perspective on these matters.

5. Importance of Teachers and Discipleship:

The text emphasizes the role of a Guru in spiritual progress, with the authors dedicating the book to their revered teachers, emphasizing the importance of grace, blessings, and guidance.

Overall Impression:

"Bhagwati Upkram" appears to be a profound and encyclopedic work that meticulously explains the complex doctrines of Jainism, as found in the Bhagwati Sutra. It reflects a rigorous intellectual tradition within Jainism, where every concept is analyzed from multiple angles and supported by logical reasoning and scriptural references. The detailed content suggests a deep engagement with philosophical inquiries and a commitment to preserving and propagating the vast knowledge of the Tirthankaras.

This summary, based solely on the provided pages, offers a framework for understanding the immense philosophical landscape covered by this significant Jain text.