Bharatiya Yoga Parampara Me Jain Acharyo Ke Yogadan Ka Mulyankan - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text:

Book Title: Bharatiya Yoga Parampara me Jain Acharyo ke Yogadan ka Mulyankan (Evaluation of the Contribution of Jain Acharyas in the Indian Yoga Tradition) Author: Dr. Brahmamitra Avasthi Publisher: Z_Kusumvati_Sadhvi_Abhinandan_Granth_012032.pdf

This article, authored by Dr. Brahmamitra Avasthi, Director of Swami Keshvanand Yoga Institute, delves into the significant and often overlooked contributions of Jain Acharyas to the Indian Yoga tradition. The core argument is that while yoga is a practical discipline aimed at awakening inner potentials to overcome suffering and achieve liberation (moksha), and while the ultimate goal remains the same across traditions, the methods and practices can vary naturally due to individual and contextual factors.

The Essence of Yoga and Diverse Paths:

The author begins by defining yoga as a practical discipline of spiritual practice that awakens inherent powers within the physical, mental, vital, and blissful sheaths of a person. The ultimate goal is the complete cessation of the three types of suffering (spiritual, divine, and material), leading to liberation or kaivalya. This ultimate goal has intermediate stages, such as the removal of physical and mental weaknesses, and the cessation of disease and old age.

Dr. Avasthi emphasizes that just as each person's footsteps are unique when embarking on a journey, even from the same starting point, so too are the paths of yoga unique to each practitioner. This variation is not accidental but inherent, driven by factors such as the practitioner's physical and mental condition, preparation, intellectual level, past sanskaras (impressions), and environment. Even the specific objectives can lead to differences in practice. Therefore, there can be many, even infinite, methods of spiritual practice aimed at the fullness of life.

Yoga in a Broader Context:

The article addresses the contemporary understanding of "yoga" or "yoga" in large cities, where centers primarily focus on physical fitness and aesthetic improvements. While these might use the terms "yoga" or "yoga," the author suggests they don't align with the fundamental definition of yoga as a path to spiritual liberation. The author notes that the proliferation of terms like "Yoga," "Jain Yoga," "Buddhist Yoga," or "Vedic Yoga" should not be taken too seriously, as they often indicate regional popularity or association with specific religious traditions. The underlying essence is that if a practice aims at the cessation of suffering and has a spiritual objective, it should be considered yoga.

Jain Acharyas and their Yoga Treatises:

The author highlights that Jain Acharyas have made substantial contributions to yoga, often reflecting philosophical depth comparable to or even exceeding that of Patanjali and Vyasa in certain aspects, particularly in their emphasis on austerity (tapascharya) and disciplined conduct. Key Jain Acharyas who have written extensively on yoga include Acharya Hemachandra and Acharya Haribhadra Suri.

Their prominent works include:

Acharya Hemachandra: Yogashastra
Acharya Haribhadra Suri: Yogadrishti Samuccaya, Yogabindu, Yogashataka, and Yogavishika.

Yogashastra by Hemachandra and Yogashataka and Yogavishika by Haribhadra Suri are noted to be in Ardha Magadhi Prakrit, while Yogashastra, Yogadrishti Samuccaya, and Yogabindu are in Sanskrit.

These Acharyas generally accepted Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga (Eight Limbs of Yoga) and elaborated on it, encouraging the general populace to engage in this practice. Hemachandra's Yogashastra is described as accepting Ashtanga Yoga in its entirety. Haribhadra Suri, in his works, provided concise guidelines for yogic practice and austerity for lay followers (shravakas) and newly initiated monks.

Haribhadra Suri's Stages and Perspectives on Yoga:

A significant portion of the article is dedicated to Haribhadra Suri's detailed classification of the stages and mental states of a yoga practitioner, which the author considers highly original and valuable for self-assessment and guidance.

Four Stages of Sadhana (Practice):

Ichcha Yoga (Desire Yoga): The initial stage where a practitioner resolves to undertake yoga after learning about its glories, but faces distractions and deviations.
Shastra Yoga (Scriptural Yoga): The practitioner engages in practice with faith and follows the prescribed path, with a complete absence of negligence.
Siddhavastha (State of Attainment): The practitioner is protected from obstacles and is close to the state of perfection. They have direct realization of dharma and the self, possess intuitive knowledge (pratibha), and have immense potential.
Ayoga (Non-Yoga or Perfect State): The highest stage, where the practitioner is completely detached and liberated while living (jivanmukta). This is the state of perfection and liberation itself.

Nine Mental States (Yogic Perspectives/Yogadrishṭis): Haribhadra Suri also describes nine mental states of a practitioner, which are crucial for evaluating their progress.

Oghadrishṭi (Deluded View): The state of an ignorant, unpracticing individual.
Mitra Darshan (Friendly View): Achieved through the practice of Yama, characterized by the cultivation of friendliness and the abandonment of enmity.
Tara Darshan (Star View): Developed through the practice of Niyama, marked by the absence of agitation in activities, curiosity for truth, and faith in yogis.
Bala Darshan (Strong View): Attained through Asana practice, signifying mental steadfastness, absence of mental disturbances, and unwavering faith in spiritual progress.
Dipta Darshan (Luminous View): A higher stage where the practitioner has overcome obstacles and is progressing towards spiritual realization.
Sthira Darshan (Steadfast View): Acquired through the practice of Pratyahara, characterized by mental stability and control over senses.
Kanta Darshan (Lovely View): Attained through Pranayama, where the body becomes beautiful and the practitioner feels inner joy and peace. This stage is associated with the potential for liberation.
Prabha Darshan (Radiant View): Achieved after the dissolution of mental impurities, where the practitioner experiences divine knowledge and bliss.
Para Darshan (Supreme View): The highest stage, where the practitioner is completely detached, self-realized, and lives as a jivanmukta. This is the state of complete liberation.

Dr. Avasthi notes that Haribhadra Suri's classification of these mental states is unique and not found in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras or the works of Siddha tradition Acharyas like Gorakhnath.

Hemachandra's Contributions:

Acharya Hemachandra's Yogashastra is highlighted for its practical approach. It provides details for the spiritual practice of monks as well as practical guidelines for householders within their daily lives. His "Twelve Vows" (Dvadasha Vratas) for householders include the five minor vows (anuvratas), three disciplinary vows (gunavratas), and four training vows (shikshavratas). He also prohibits the consumption of certain items and night-eating, emphasizing the importance of maintaining spiritual practice throughout the day, starting from the brahma-muhurta.

Hemachandra's work also stresses the importance of self-control, conquest of passions (kashaya), and purification of the mind. He elaborates on the methods of cultivating twelve contemplations (bhāvanās) and emphasizes the importance of equanimity (samattva-buddhi). While he describes Asana, Pranayama, and Dhyana (meditation), he considers Pranayama troublesome and a hindrance to liberation.

Hemachandra's Emphasis on Meditation: Hemachandra places significant emphasis on meditation (Dhyana), suggesting that practitioners should understand the object of meditation (dhyeya) and its results beforehand. He classifies the object of meditation into four types: pindastha (in the body), padāstha (in syllables/mantras), rūpastha (in form), and rūpātita (formless). He advocates for rūpātita meditation, which includes dharma dhyana and shukla dhyana.

Comparison with Patanjali and Jain Contribution:

The author contrasts Hemachandra's extensive practical exposition of yoga with Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, which, while profound in philosophical and psychological depth, offer only a glimpse into the practical aspects of yoga. Jain Acharyas, by detailing practical methods and making them accessible to householders, have made yoga a practice for the common person. This accessibility, the author concludes, is a memorable contribution of Jain Acharyas to both the world and the field of yoga.

In essence, the article argues that Jain Acharyas, through their comprehensive and practical yogic literature, have significantly enriched the Indian Yoga tradition by providing detailed methodologies, unique classifications of practice stages and mental states, and by making yogic disciplines accessible to a wider audience, thereby fulfilling the ultimate purpose of yoga: the cessation of suffering and attainment of liberation.