Chaumasi Vyakhyan Bhashantar Tatha Ter Kathiyanu Swarup

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Chaumasi Vyakhyan Bhashantar Tatha Ter Kathiyanu Swarup" by Manivijay, based on the provided pages:

This book, authored by Muni Shri Manivijayji Maharaj, a disciple of Muni Raj Shri Gulabvijayji Maharaj, who was himself a disciple of Ganivarya Shri Mukti Vijayji Mulchandji, delves into two primary aspects: the Chaumasi Vyakhyan (Explanation of the Four-Month Period) and the Swrup of Ter Kathiya (The Nature of the Thirteen Obstacles). The publication was supported by the Jain Sangh of Boru village and printed in 1936.

The core purpose of this text is to provide a Gujarati translation and elaboration of a Chomaasi Vyakhyan originally authored by Shri Kshamakalyanikji Maharaj. The author, Manivijayji, has expanded upon the original text by adding translations, explanations, analogies, and illustrative stories to make the teachings more accessible and understandable for the reader. The book's reprinting was necessitated by the exhaustion of the first edition and the continued demand from monks and nuns. The author also expresses regret that some individuals request multiple copies out of greed, hindering wider dissemination of knowledge.

Key Themes and Concepts Covered:

1. Chaumasi Vyakhyan (Explanation of the Four-Month Period):

• Purpose: The Vyakhyan aims to guide devotees in understanding and practicing Jain principles, particularly during the Chaturmas (four-month monsoon period).
• Jain Principles: It emphasizes the importance of understanding the Jain path by harmonizing relative (vyavahar) and ultimate (nishchay) truths, moving away from one-sided arguments.
• The Four Categories (Bhangas): The text explains four categories related to the purity of "silver" (representing the spiritual state) and its "stamp" (representing outward appearance or conduct). These categories are crucial for discerning true spiritual practitioners from those who are merely outwardly religious.
  • Category 1: Impure silver, impure stamp (representing those with impure conduct and impure outward appearance).
  • Category 2: Impure silver, pure stamp (representing those with impure conduct but a pure outward appearance, like some so-called religious figures).
  • Category 3: Pure silver, impure stamp (representing those with pure inner conduct but an impure outward appearance, possibly due to circumstances or a misunderstanding of outward practices).
  • Category 4: Pure silver, pure stamp (representing the ideal state of pure inner conduct and pure outward appearance).
• Explanation of Different Types of Religious Figures: The text meticulously explains various categories of individuals who may appear religious but deviate from true principles:
  • Pasattha: Those who remain near knowledge and perception, or are bound by worldly attachments. This is further divided into:
    • Desh Pasattha: Those who accept offerings without proper justification or show attachment to specific places, families, or groups.
    • Sarva Pasattha: Those who are completely detached from knowledge, perception, and conduct, are mere wearers of religious attire, mimic religious practices, and adopt household ways.
  • Osanna: Those who are negligent in their religious duties and practices. This is also divided into:
    • Desh Osanna: Those who are lax in performing daily rituals like prayer, contemplation, and self-purification, or perform them inadequately.
    • Sarva Osanna: Those who are perpetually lax in all aspects of religious conduct, including proper conduct during Chaturmas, using unnecessary items, consuming impure food, and keeping their beds prepared at all times.
  • Kushiliya (Bad Conductors): Those who violate knowledge, perception, or conduct. This is divided into:
    • Gyan Kushiliya: Those who teach or study scriptures for livelihood, misinterpret them, or hold them in disrespect.
    • Darshan Kushiliya: Those who associate with or discuss matters with individuals who have doubts, desires, or incorrect views about Jainism.
    • Charitra Kushiliya: Those who engage in astrology, fortune-telling, occult practices, or use herbs and spells for personal gain, or are obsessed with physical adornment and possessions.
  • Sansakta (Attached): Those who adapt their behavior to suit the company they are in, either appearing virtuous with virtuous people or behaving improperly with those who are not.
  • Yathachhanda (Willful): Those who act according to their own whims, without following the teachings of the Tirthankaras, speak incorrectly, and preach for selfish motives, disregarding the advice of their elders.
• Duties of a Layperson (Shravaka): The text outlines the six essential daily duties of a layperson:
  1. Worshipping the divine (Devarchan).
  2. Serving the guru (Gurupaasti).
  3. Self-study and contemplation (Svadhyaya).
  4. Restraint of senses (Sanyam).
  5. Performing penance and austerities (Tapa).
  6. Giving charity (Daan). It stresses that failure to perform these duties leads to prolonged suffering in the cycle of birth and death.
• Dietary Restrictions and Observances:
  • Avoiding Sinful Trades: Laypeople should avoid professions that involve deceit or harm to living beings.
  • Seasonal Restrictions: Special emphasis is placed on the Chaturmas period, advising against trading in grains after Phalgun month due to the potential for insect life. Grains should be sold by Ashadh month and not during Chaturmas.
  • Abstinence from certain foods: The text details the avoidance of uncooked items, unseasoned vegetables, certain fruits, flowers, honey, and leafy vegetables, especially during the rainy season, due to the prevalence of minute living beings. It provides specific examples like bitter gourds and brinjal, especially when overripe or damaged.
  • Hygiene and Purity of Food: The importance of examining food items for contamination, spoilage, or insect life is highlighted. Consuming unexamined fruits or vegetables is equated to consuming meat.
  • General Advice on Food: The text warns against consuming adulterated ghee, stale food, or unexamined produce.
• Importance of Chaturmas Observances: The text outlines the auspicious activities for Chaturmas, including Samayika, Aavashyak, Paushadh, Devarchan, Snaatra, Brahmacharya, Dana, and various forms of Tapasya, calling these the "ornaments" of the period.
• Samayika (Equanimity):
  • Definition: Samayika is defined as a state of equanimity, free from attachment and aversion, beneficial for gaining knowledge and virtue.
  • Practice: It involves controlling the mind, speech, and body, maintaining a calm and peaceful mind, and practicing non-violence and detachment.
  • Equivalence to Sadhus: Laypeople observing Samayika are considered akin to Sadhus.
  • Illustrative Story of Damdant Rajarshi: This detailed story illustrates the principles of Samayika. Damdant, a king, demonstrated detachment and equanimity even when faced with both adulation from the Pandavas and insults and stones from the Kauravas. His practice of Samayika, even in adverse situations, is presented as a path to spiritual liberation. The story also highlights the consequences of disrespecting and harming ascetics.
  • Eight Names of Samayika: The text lists eight names for Samayika, each with a specific connotation: Samayika (equanimity), Samayika (proper conduct), Sambhav (detachment), Samas (brevity of essence), Sankshipt (concise), Anavadyam (sinless), Parigyanam (knowledge of reality), and Pratyakhyanam (renunciation).
  • Dangers of Improper Samayika: The author laments that many modern practitioners of Samayika engage in gossip, arguments, jokes, envy, hypocrisy, attachment, aversion, and worldly worries, thus failing to achieve the true benefit of the practice.
  • The True Practice: The correct practice of Samayika involves silence, contemplation, chanting the Navkar mantra, and studying scriptures.
• Daya (Compassion):
  • Metarth Muni Story: This detailed narrative illustrates profound compassion. Metarth Muni, by sacrificing his own life, saved the lives of cranes. The story highlights the importance of selfless compassion, even at great personal cost. It also showcases the consequences of malice, attachment to worldly possessions, and the eventual path to righteousness through detachment and spiritual practice.
• Satya (Truthfulness):
  • Kalikacharya Story: This story emphasizes the power and importance of truthfulness. Kalikacharya, despite his spiritual attainment, upholds truth even when his nephew, Dutt, has fallen into wicked ways and usurped the kingdom. The story contrasts the unwavering commitment to truth with the destructive consequences of falsehood and unethical behavior. The text also includes extensive quotes from scriptures and epics like the Mahabharata emphasizing the superiority of renouncing meat over performing pious deeds.
• Chilati Putra Story: This narrative illustrates the profound impact of even a short period of righteous conduct and the consequences of attachment and wrong views. Chilati Putra, initially a wicked character, attains spiritual liberation through sincere repentance and following the teachings of the Tirthankaras, even after a life of misdeeds. The story highlights the transformative power of righteousness and the karmic consequences of actions.
• Four Pandits Story: This story emphasizes the importance of brevity and essence in conveying profound truths. Four scholars present lengthy texts, but the king desires a concise summary. They distill their vast knowledge into four aphorisms, highlighting: 1) timely eating, 2) compassion for all beings, 3) not trusting anyone, and 4) gentleness towards women.
• Dharmaruci Muni Story: This story underscores the principle of non-violence and the importance of maintaining purity in one's actions, even when faced with seemingly unavoidable harm. Dharmaruci Muni, when faced with a dilemma of harming insects by discarding poisonous food or harming himself by consuming it, chooses the latter, ultimately attaining a higher spiritual state. This emphasizes the highest form of ethical conduct and detachment.
• Nishpappa Karma (Sinless Actions): The text highlights the importance of acting without sin, drawing from the story of Dharmaruci Muni.
• Illaputra Story: This narrative illustrates how even an ordinary person, through sincere devotion and understanding of spiritual principles, can attain liberation. Illaputra, a dancer's son, is deeply moved by the detachment of a muni and, through his own sincere introspection, attains enlightenment. This story emphasizes the potential for spiritual growth regardless of one's background.
• Tetali Putra Story: This story emphasizes the importance of righteous conduct and renunciation in achieving spiritual progress. Tetali Putra, a minister's son, achieves spiritual liberation through his righteous actions and devotion to Jain principles.
• Paushadh Vrata (Fasting Vrata): The text describes Paushadh as a significant spiritual practice involving four aspects: abstinence from certain foods (Aahar Paushadh), avoiding bodily comforts and adornments (Sharir Satkar Paushadh), renouncing worldly business (Griha Vyapar Paushadh), and observing celibacy (Brahmacharya Paushadh). It includes the story of Kamdev, a lay follower, who remained steadfast in his Paushadh observances despite temptations.
• Pooja (Worship): The text details the significance of worshipping the Tirthankaras through various means like Pradakshana, Snaatra, Vilepana, and chanting hymns. The story of Devpal, a servant, highlights how sincere devotion can lead to spiritual elevation and even material rewards.
• Brahmacharya (Celibacy): The text extols Brahmacharya as the highest virtue, superior to all other good deeds like charity. It describes the benefits of celibacy, including longevity, good health, reputation, and spiritual progress, and warns against its transgression.
• Sudarshan Story: This story powerfully illustrates the steadfastness of chastity and the consequences of attachment and vanity. Sudarshan, despite facing severe temptations and accusations, maintains his purity, ultimately attaining spiritual liberation. This story serves as a strong example of upholding one's vows.
• Daya (Compassion) and its Practice: The text elaborates on the practical application of compassion, emphasizing its importance in all aspects of life, from avoiding harm to living beings to showing empathy towards the distressed. The story of a king and his queens illustrates how true compassion, even towards a wrongdoer, can lead to unexpected positive outcomes.
• The Six Essential Duties of a Layperson: Reiteration of the six fundamental duties for a householder: worship, guru service, self-study, sense restraint, penance, and charity.

2. Ter Kathiya (The Nature of the Thirteen Obstacles):

• Definition: These are thirteen obstacles or hindrances that prevent individuals from engaging in or benefiting from spiritual practices like listening to religious discourses.
• The Thirteen Obstacles Identified:
  1. Aalas (Laziness)
  2. Moh (Attachment/Delusion)
  3. Avajna (Disrespect/Contempt)
  4. Ahankar (Ego/Pride)
  5. Krodh (Anger)
  6. Pramad (Negligence)
  7. Kripanta (Stinginess)
  8. Bhay (Fear)
  9. Sok (Grief)
  10. Ajnan (Ignorance)
  11. Vyakshipt (Distraction/Restlessness)
  12. Kutuhal (Curiosity/Wanderlust)
  13. Ramana (Attachment to sensual pleasure/Entertainment)
• Detailed Explanation of Each Obstacle: The book provides extensive narratives and dialogues to illustrate how each of these obstacles can manifest and hinder spiritual progress. These stories often involve the personification of these obstacles as characters or forces working against the protagonist's spiritual endeavors. The stories often show the protagonist initially succumbing to these obstacles but eventually overcoming them through self-reflection, the guidance of a guru, or the inherent power of righteous contemplation.
  • Illustrations: The stories often depict the protagonist struggling with these obstacles, experiencing internal conflicts, and making choices that either lead them further into delusion or towards spiritual awakening. The power of a guru's guidance and the transformative nature of righteous contemplation are consistently highlighted.
  • Overcoming Obstacles: The narratives emphasize that by recognizing these obstacles and making conscious efforts to overcome them, individuals can achieve spiritual progress. This often involves self-criticism, repentance, and a renewed commitment to virtuous practices.

3. The Importance of Jain Principles and Practices:

• Moral and Ethical Conduct: The book strongly advocates for honesty, compassion, truthfulness, non-violence, and self-control.
• Renunciation: It highlights the benefits of renouncing worldly desires, possessions, and attachments for spiritual liberation.
• The Role of the Guru: The importance of a qualified and virtuous guru for spiritual guidance is repeatedly stressed.
• The Power of Repentance and Forgiveness: The stories often show characters finding redemption through sincere repentance and seeking forgiveness.
• The Cycle of Karma: The book subtly illustrates the principles of karma, showing how actions have consequences that extend across lifetimes.

Overall Message:

"Chaumasi Vyakhyan Bhashantar Tatha Ter Kathiyanu Swarup" serves as a comprehensive guide for Jain followers, particularly during the Chaturmas period. It aims to clarify complex Jain doctrines, offer practical guidance for daily life, and inspire devotees to overcome internal obstacles and live a virtuous life in accordance with the teachings of the Tirthankaras. The book emphasizes that true spiritual progress comes from a combination of sincere devotion, ethical conduct, self-discipline, and the overcoming of internal hindrances.