Chahdhala 1

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Chahdhala 1" by Daulatram Kasliwal, with a Balbodh commentary by Ganini Aryika Syadvadmati Mataji. The text is divided into six sections, or "Dhalas," each focusing on different aspects of Jain philosophy and practice, primarily related to the soul's journey through the cycle of birth and death and the path to liberation.

Overall Theme:

The "Chahdhala" (meaning "six sections" or "six stages") is a fundamental Jain text that guides the reader through the understanding of the soul's predicament in the cycle of rebirths and the ultimate path to moksha (liberation). It aims to instill renunciation, right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, the three jewels of Jainism.

Summary of Each Dhal:

First Dhal (प्रथम ढाल): Addressing the Misery of Existence and the Cause of Samsara

• Mangaalacharan (Invocation): Begins with a prayer to Vitarag Vignana (knowledge free from passion), which is the essence of the three worlds and leads to liberation.
• The Soul's Suffering: Describes the infinite souls in the three worlds who seek happiness and fear suffering. This suffering is due to attachment and aversion (Rag-Dvesh) and ignorance of one's true self.
• The Cycle of Rebirths (Samsara): Explains how the soul, due to ignorance and attachment, wanders through 84 lakh (8.4 million) life forms across hellish, animal, human, and divine realms.
• The Sufferings of Nigoda: Details the extreme suffering in the state of Nigoda (a primal, undifferentiated state of existence), where souls experience birth and death eighteen times in a single breath and endure immense pain.
• The Sufferings in Various States: The soul then progresses through elemental bodies (earth, water, fire, air, plants) and further suffers in various animal forms (worms, insects, animals), experiencing being eaten, killed, starved, and subjected to harsh conditions.
• The Sufferings in Hell (Narak): Describes the excruciating tortures in the hellish realms, including unbearable heat, cold, pain from touching the earth, rivers of blood and pus, and torment by various entities.
• The Sufferings in the Animal Realm (Tiryanche): Even when the soul attains a human or animal form, it suffers from hunger, thirst, being hunted, killed, and the cycle of birth and death.
• The Sufferings in Human Realm (Manushya): The text highlights the difficulties of the human birth itself, from the nine months in the womb to the pains of birth, childhood, youth spent in worldly pleasures, and old age which is like being half-dead. The constant cycle of delusion makes it impossible to realize the true self.
• The Sufferings in the Celestial Realm (Deva): Even heavenly beings, though enjoying pleasures, are bound by desires and face suffering when their lifespan ends, often resulting in rebirth in lower realms. The text mentions "Akam Nirjara" (unintentional shedding of karma) as a cause for celestial birth, but the worldly attachments still cause suffering.
• The Fall from Celestial to Lower Realms: It is emphasized that without Right Faith (Samyagdarshan), even celestial births lead to suffering and a fall to lower forms of existence.
• The Cause of Suffering: The primary cause identified is "Mithya Darshan, Mithya Gyan, Mithya Charitra" (false faith, false knowledge, and false conduct).

Second Dhal (द्वितीय ढाल): The Root Causes of Samsara – Mithya Darshan, Mithya Gyan, and Mithya Charitra

• The Three Poisons: This Dhal elaborates on the three root causes of the soul's entanglement in Samsara:
  • Mithya Darshan (False Faith): Believing in non-eternal, non-self things as one's true self, such as identifying with the body, wealth, family, or false religious principles and gurus. It involves incorrect beliefs about the soul, non-soul substances, inflow of karma, bondage, cessation of karma, shedding of karma, and liberation.
  • Mithya Gyan (False Knowledge): Having incorrect knowledge about these principles, often stemming from attachment to worldly desires and external appearances.
  • Mithya Charitra (False Conduct): Engaging in actions driven by false faith and knowledge, such as following wrong gurus, worshipping false deities, adhering to wrong doctrines, and indulging in worldly pleasures.
• The Deception of External Appearances: The text warns against being misled by outward appearances of religiousness or spiritual attainment without true inner conviction and detachment.
• The Dangers of False Teachers and Doctrines: It specifically condemns the following of "Kaguru" (false gurus), "Kudev" (false deities), and "Kudharma" (false religions) which lead to further delusion and suffering.
• The Importance of True Understanding: The Dhal stresses the need to understand these three poisons and to abandon them to break free from the cycle of suffering.

Third Dhal (तृतीय ढाल): The Path to True Happiness and Liberation (Moksha Marg)

• The Nature of True Happiness: True happiness is defined as freedom from suffering and agitation ("Aakulta bina"). This state is found only in Moksha.
• The Path to Moksha: The path to Moksha is comprised of the three jewels:
  • Samyagdarshan (Right Faith): Correct understanding and belief in the true nature of the soul and the Jain principles.
  • Samyag Gyan (Right Knowledge): Accurate knowledge of the soul and other substances.
  • Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct): Living in accordance with Right Faith and Right Knowledge, characterized by detachment and virtuous actions.
• Nishchaya (Real / Absolute) and Vyavahara (Conventional / Relative) Paths: The path to Moksha is presented in two aspects:
  • Nishchaya Moksha Marg: The realization of the soul's pure, unchanging essence, free from all external influences. This is the ultimate goal.
  • Vyavahara Moksha Marg: The practical steps and principles that lead to the Nishchaya state, such as understanding the seven tattvas (soul, non-soul, inflow, bondage, cessation, shedding, and liberation) and cultivating detachment.
• The Three Types of Souls: The soul is described in three states:
  • Bahirātmā (External Soul): Identifies with the body and external possessions, lacking self-knowledge.
  • Antarātmā (Internal Soul): Begins to understand the soul's true nature, characterized by detachment and practice of virtues.
  • Paramātmā (Supreme Soul): The fully liberated soul, free from all karmic impurities, possessing infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy.
• The Importance of Understanding Tattvas: The text emphasizes the necessity of understanding the seven tattvas and cultivating unwavering faith in them.
• The Qualities of a True Disciple: It highlights the importance of faith in true deities (Jinas), true gurus (those who are detached from possessions and follow the path), and true dharma (characterized by non-violence and compassion).
• The Twenty-Five Flaws and Eight Virtues: The Dhal details the twenty-five flaws that hinder the attainment of Right Faith and the eight virtues that adorn it. It explains the importance of understanding these to purify one's faith.
• The Significance of Human Birth: The human birth is deemed extremely rare and precious, a unique opportunity for spiritual progress.

Fourth Dhal (चतुर्थ ढाल): The Glorification of Right Knowledge (Samyag Gyan)

• The Nature of Right Knowledge: Right Knowledge is described as understanding the soul and other substances in their true, multi-faceted nature, similar to the sun illuminating all objects.
• The Relationship Between Faith and Knowledge: While faith and knowledge are closely related and often arise together, they are distinct. Faith is about believing, while knowledge is about knowing. Faith is the cause, and knowledge is the effect.
• Types of Knowledge: The Dhal classifies knowledge into two main categories:
  • Paroksha (Indirect Knowledge): Knowledge gained through the senses and mind (Mati Gyan and Shrut Gyan).
  • Pratyaksha (Direct Knowledge): Knowledge gained directly by the soul, without sensory or mental involvement (Avadhi Gyan, Manahparyay Gyan, and Keval Gyan).
• The Supremacy of Keval Gyan (Omniscience): Keval Gyan, the highest form of knowledge, allows one to perceive all substances, their qualities, and their transformations in the past, present, and future simultaneously.
• The Power of Knowledge: Right Knowledge is presented as the ultimate source of true happiness, capable of destroying the diseases of birth, old age, and death. It is superior to any worldly attainment.
• The Difference Between Knowing and Ignorant Action: The text contrasts the effortless karmic purification of the enlightened with the arduous, eons-long efforts of the ignorant.
• The Rarity of True Understanding: It emphasizes that merely adopting the outward appearance of asceticism without genuine self-knowledge and detachment is fruitless.
• The Importance of Self-Discrimination: The ability to distinguish between the self (soul) and the non-self (body, possessions) is highlighted as the key to attaining Right Knowledge.
• The Goal of Right Knowledge: The ultimate goal of knowledge is self-realization and liberation from worldly bonds.

Fifth Dhal (पंचम ढाल): The Practice of Meditations and the Twelve Reflections

• The Twelve Reflections (Anupeksha): This Dhal focuses on the twelve reflections that cultivate detachment and spiritual understanding, thereby fostering Right Conduct. These reflections are:
  1. Anitya (Impermanence): Reflecting on the transient nature of worldly possessions, relationships, and life itself.
  2. Asharan (Lack of Refuge): Realizing that in the face of death and suffering, no external entity or power can offer true refuge except the soul's own efforts.
  3. Samsara (Cycle of Birth and Death): Understanding the continuous cycle of suffering across different life forms and the futility of worldly pleasures.
  4. Ekatva (Aloneness): Recognizing that the soul experiences the consequences of its actions alone.
  5. Anyatva (Otherness): Understanding that all external things, including the body, are separate from the soul.
  6. Ashuchi (Impurity): Contemplating the inherent impurity of the body and worldly enjoyments.
  7. Asrava (Inflow of Karma): Reflecting on how attachments and passions lead to the inflow of karma.
  8. Samvara (Cessation of Karma): Contemplating the practices that stop the inflow of new karma.
  9. Nirjara (Shedding of Karma): Reflecting on the methods of shedding accumulated karma through austerities and detachment.
  10. Loka (The Universe): Understanding the nature of the universe and the soul's place within it.
  11. Bodhi-durlabha (Rarity of Enlightenment): Realizing the extreme difficulty of attaining right faith and knowledge.
  12. Dharma (Righteousness): Contemplating the path of righteousness as taught by the Tirthankaras.
• The Cultivation of Equanimity: These reflections help to cultivate equanimity and detachment from worldly desires.
• The Soul's True Nature: The ultimate realization through these meditations is the soul's pure, unchanging, and blissful nature.

Sixth Dhal (षष्ठम ढाल): The Great Vows and the Qualities of Ascetics

• The Four Great Vows (Maha Vratas): This Dhal elaborates on the four primary vows of an ascetic:
  • Ahimsa (Non-violence): Complete abstention from all forms of violence, both physical and mental, towards all six types of living beings (earth, water, fire, air, plants, and mobile beings).
  • Satya (Truthfulness): Absolute adherence to truth, without any falsehood or misleading statements.
  • Asteya (Non-stealing): Not taking anything that is not freely given, even the smallest item like water or soil.
  • Brahmacharya (Celibacy): Complete abstinence from sensual pleasures and dedicating oneself to the soul's purity.
• The Five Observances (Samiti): The text also describes the five observances that guide the actions of ascetics:
  • Irya Samiti: Mindful walking, being aware of one's surroundings to avoid harming living beings.
  • Bhasha Samiti: Speaking truthfully, kindly, and beneficially, avoiding unnecessary or harmful speech.
  • Eshana Samiti: Mindful acceptance of alms (food and necessities) without attachment or complaint, adhering to strict purity rules.
  • Adan-nikshepan Samiti: Careful handling of objects, ensuring no living beings are harmed.
  • Vyutsarga Samiti: Bodily expulsion of waste products with detachment and mindfulness.
• The Qualities of Ascetics: The Dhal details the austere lifestyle and profound equanimity of ascetics, who remain unaffected by external conditions, pleasant or unpleasant. They are detached from all worldly comforts and enjoyments, dedicating their lives to self-realization.
• The Role of Ascetics in Guiding Others: The teachings of the ascetics, free from worldly desires and full of wisdom, are like a guiding light for the world, leading them towards liberation.
• The Ultimate Goal: The culmination of these practices is the attainment of the soul's pure, unadulterated state, free from all karmic impurities, leading to eternal bliss and liberation.

Conclusion:

The "Chahdhala" serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding the Jain path to liberation. It systematically explains the soul's journey through suffering, the causes of this suffering (ignorance, attachment, and false beliefs), and the means to overcome them through the practice of Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct, culminating in the attainment of Moksha. The text is characterized by its poetic structure and the commentary makes it accessible, explaining complex philosophical concepts in a relatable manner.