Chaudah Gunsthan Charcha Kosh - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Chaudah Gunsthan Charcha Kosh" based on the provided information:

Book Title: Chaudah Gunsthan Charcha Kosh (A Compendium for Discussing the Fourteen Stages of Spiritual Progress) Author/Compiler: Acharya Shri 108 Deshabhushan Ji Maharaj (translated and compiled) Reviewer: Sunil Kumar Publisher: Z_Deshbhushanji_Maharaj_Abhinandan_Granth_012045.pdf (Part of a commemorative publication) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/210492/1

Overall Purpose and Significance:

"Chaudah Gunsthan Charcha Kosh" is presented as a highly useful and previously unavailable ancient text that has been made accessible through its simple and clear Hindi translation and compilation by Acharya Shri 108 Deshabhushan Ji Maharaj. It is specifically highlighted as a valuable resource for those curious about Jain principles and those who enjoy theoretical discussions. The book draws its essence from numerous significant Jain scriptures, including Gomattasar, Triloksaar, Tiloypannatti, Aachaarsaara, Purusharthasiddhyupaya, and Samayasaara, making it exceptionally beneficial for self-study.

The reviewer, Sunil Kumar, praises Acharya Shri Deshabhushan Ji Maharaj's significant and memorable efforts in reviving and propagating Jinavani (Jain scriptures). Acharya Shri is described as a learned scholar of Indian literature, a visionary, and a detached karma yogi who has dedicated his life to translating and making accessible various Indian language texts into Hindi for the nation's constructive development and fostering connections between North and South India.

Key Content and Approach:

The book is characterized by its analytical approach, particularly in classifying the Fourteen Stages of Spiritual Progress (Chaudah Gunsthan) from a mathematical and statistical perspective.

Specific Topics Covered:

Statistical Analysis of 24 Stages (Choubis Thana): The initial sections of the book provide a statistical breakdown of various classifications within the "Choubis Thana" (24 stations), including categories like:
- Gati (Realms of existence)
- Indriya-kaya (Sentient bodies)
- Yoga (Activities of mind, speech, and body)
- Veda (Temperaments)
- Kashaya (Passions)
- Jnana (Knowledge)
- Sanyama (Restraint)
- Darshana (Perception)
- Leshyas (Subtle colorations of the mind)
- Samyaktva (Right Faith/Consciousness)
- Sangni (Having a mind)
- Aahar (Food/Nutrition)
Detailed Explanation of Specific Concepts: The book delves into detailed explanations of various important Jain concepts, including:
- Dravya (Substance)
- Padartha (Principles/Categories)
- Pratima Vrata (Vows related to images/idols)
- Anuvrata (Minor Vows)
- Anupreksha (Contemplations)
- Bhavana (Meditative states)
- Tapa (Austerities)
- Mulbhav (Fundamental states)
Mathematical and Numerical Data: The text presents a wealth of numerical data and classifications related to:
- 458 non-created temples in the middle world (Madhyaloka).
- 336 variations of Matih-jnana (sensory knowledge).
- 18,000 types of Sheel (conduct/virtue).
- 37,500 types of Paramada (minor negligence).
- The process of ascending and descending through the spiritual stages.
- The pathway of death within these stages.
- Details about Kevali Samudghata (special states of omniscient beings) during the time of its occurrence, its numbers, and stages.
- Types of Gotra (lineage/classification).
- The excellent and lowest duration of existence for beings from one-sensed to five-sensed organisms.
- Types of Kotas (classifications/categories).
Progression and Quantification: The book emphasizes the progressively increasing nature of the 24 stages and the increasing number of stages that pass. It names these stages and explains the six types of diets.
Types of Right Faith: It describes the proof and number of three types of Samyagdrishṭi (holders of right faith):
- Upasham Samyagdrishṭi (Right Faith attained through suppression of passions).
- Kshayika Samyagdrishṭi (Right Faith attained through destruction of passions).
- Kshayopasham Samyagdrishṭi (Right Faith attained through partial destruction and suppression of passions).
Kashaya Analysis in Different Gatis: It analyzes which Kashaya (passion) arises in the first moment of birth in each of the four realms of existence (Gatis) and describes the duration of the four Kashayas in these realms.
Worship: Detailed descriptions of various types of Jin Puja (worship of Jinas) are provided, including Nama Puja (name worship), Sthapana Puja (installation worship), Dravya Puja (material worship), Bhava Puja (devotional worship), Kshetra Puja (place worship), and Kala Puja (time worship).
Merit and Demerit (Punya-Paap): The text covers 46 aspects of merit and demerit.
Life Forms and Biology:
- Illustrative examples of the lowest duration of existence for a soul.
- The ten transformations of Pudgala (matter) and their 31 sub-transformations.
- The names of beings that consume food but do not excrete waste, such as Tirthankaras, Balabhadras, Narayanas, Chakravartis, Yugaliya humans, etc.
- Information on which type of life-form experiences which type of Samudghata (special states) and its extent of contact.
Doctrinal Differences: A significant aspect of the book is its discussion of 84 points of difference between the Shvetambara and Digambara Jain traditions, which the reviewer notes as being more extensive than found in any other single text.
Daily Life of Householders: The book offers detailed guidance for householders' daily routines, including:
- Where householders should bathe.
- Which utensils and water containers should not be given to certain individuals.
- Methods for purifying utensils if they have been given away.
Cosmology and Celestial Beings: It includes descriptions of constellations, Vyantara devas (intermediate celestial beings), and Kalpavasi and Kalpatit devas (celestial beings residing in different realms).
Prominent Figures: The text provides beautiful descriptions of:
- The current 24 Tirthankaras.
- The 20 Tirthankaras currently residing in Videha Kshetra.
- Chakravartis (universal emperors).
- Nine Narayanas.
- Balabhadras.
- Nine Pratinarayanas.
- Fourteen Kulakaras (progenitors of humanity).
- Eleven Rudras.
- Nine Naradas.
Monastic Conduct: It also includes a beautiful description of the rules of conduct for Muni Maharaj (monks) regarding taking food.

Call to Action and Tribute:

The reviewer concludes by strongly recommending the book for seekers of Jain principles and theoretical discussions. They also issue a call to Jain scholars and monastic orders to undertake similar efforts in discovering and compiling rare and unavailable ancient texts. The review emphasizes the need to create descriptive catalogs of handwritten, unpublished manuscripts and publish them through research journals. It highlights the ongoing efforts to achieve this, noting that while some progress has been made, millions of texts remain undiscovered. The reviewer encourages scholars and professors to prepare lists of deteriorating handwritten manuscripts in ancient scriptural libraries and to publish their findings. They also stress the importance of publishing and publicizing lists of Sanskrit, Prakrit, and Apabhramsa texts that mention unknown or unpublished earlier works and authors in Prakrit language and Jainology, along with their references, and to actively search for them in ancient scriptural libraries, acknowledging the difficulty but the necessity of this work for literary history.

In essence, "Chaudah Gunsthan Charcha Kosh" is presented as a meticulously compiled and statistically analyzed compendium of Jain principles, covering a vast array of philosophical, cosmological, biographical, and practical aspects, brought to light by the dedicated efforts of Acharya Shri Deshabhushan Ji Maharaj.