Chautis Sthan Darshan

The Jain text "Chautis Sthan Darshan" (चौतीस-स्थान दर्शन) by Aadisagarmuni, published by Ulfatrayji Jain Haryana, is a comprehensive exploration of the 34 stations of spiritual progress in Jainism. The book delves deeply into the intricate principles of karma, soul, and the structure of the universe as understood within Jain philosophy.

The preface highlights the book'Ts aim to present a scientifically and philosophically sound explanation of the 34 spiritual stages, which are rooted in the Karma Tattva (principle of Karma) and Karananuyoga (theological exposition of causes and effects) of Jain scriptures. It emphasizes that Jainism, while being an Atmavadi (soul-centric) and Astik (theistic) philosophy, rejects the concept of an external creator or controller, attributing all experiences of happiness and suffering to the soul's own karma. The text clarifies that the universe and its various phenomena are self-created and governed by natural laws, not by divine intervention.

The book systematically breaks down the 34 spiritual stations, providing detailed explanations for each, often presented in a tabular format. These stations are categorized and explained based on various parameters such as:

• Gunasthan (States of the Soul): Fourteen stages of spiritual development, from Mithyatva (deluded state) to Sayogi Kevali and Ayogi Kevali (omniscient souls).
• Jivasamasa (Types of Souls): Fourteen classifications of souls based on their sensory perception, life span, thought processes, and other characteristics, ranging from Ekendriya (one-sensed beings) to Sanjni Panchindriya (mindful five-sensed beings).
• Paryapti (Fulfillment of Essential Qualities): Six stages of development related to the soul's ability to sustain itself, including Ahara (nourishment), Sharira (body formation), Indriya (sense organs), Shvasochchvasa (respiration), Bhasha (speech), and Manahparyaya (mind).
• Prana (Life Forces): Ten vital forces that sustain life.
• Samjna (Consciousness/Cognition): Four types of cognition related to sustenance, fear, sexual desire, and possession.
• Gati (States of Existence): Four realms of rebirth: Naraka (hellish beings), Tiryancha (animals), Manushya (humans), and Deva (celestial beings).
• Indriya Jati (Classes of Sense Organs): Five classes based on the number of sense organs possessed.
• Kaya (Bodies): Six types of bodies, including Earth-bodied, Water-bodied, Fire-bodied, Air-bodied, Vegetation-bodied, and A-kaya (souls without bodies).
• Yoga (Activities): Fifteen types of activities, categorized into Manas (mind), Vachana (speech), and Kaya (body) yogas, further subdivided based on their quality (true, false, mixed, neutral).
• Veda (Gender): Three genders: Napumsak (neuter), Stri (female), and Purush (male).
• Kashaya (Passions): Twenty-five types of passions, categorized into Anantanubandhi, Apratyakhyanavarani, Pratyakhyanavarani, and Sanjvlan, along with nine Lokashayas.
• Jnana (Knowledge): Eight types of knowledge, including Kumatimana (false knowledge), Srutam (scriptural knowledge), Avadhi (clairvoyant knowledge), Manahparyaya (mind-reading knowledge), and Kevala (absolute knowledge), along with their impure forms.
• Samyama (Restraint): Seven stages of restraint, from Asamyama (unrestraint) to Yathakhyata Samyama (perfect restraint).
• Darshana (Perception): Four types of perception, including Chaksur Darshana (sight) and Achaksur Darshana (non-visual perception).
• Leshya (Aura/Disposition): Six types of auras representing the soul's disposition, ranging from Krushna (black) to Shukla (white).
• Bhavya-Abhavya (Capacity for Liberation): Two categories of souls based on their potential for achieving liberation.
• Samyaktva (Right Faith): Six stages related to the attainment and presence of right faith, including Mithyatva (wrong faith), Sasadan, Mishra, Upashama, Kshaya-upasama, and Kshaya Samyakva.
• Samjnin: Categorization based on the presence of a mind.
• Aaharaka: Categorization based on the capacity to take in sustenance.
• Upayoga (Attention/Consciousness): Two primary states of consciousness: Gyan Upayoga (knowledge-oriented) and Darshan Upayoga (perceptual).
• Dhyana (Meditation): Sixteen types of meditation, divided into Arta (painful), Raudra (fierce), Dharma (virtuous), and Shukla (pure) dhyanas.
• Ashrava (Influx of Karma): Fifty-seven causes contributing to the accumulation of karma.
• Bhava (States of Being): Fifty-three states of the soul, categorized into Oupashamika (due to suppression of karma), Kshaya (due to destruction of karma), Kshaya-upasama (due to partial destruction and suppression), and Audayika (due to fruition of karma).
• Avagahana (Subtle Dimension/Size): Explains the spatial extent occupied by the soul.
• Bandha Prakriti (Bonded Karmas): Details the 120 types of karmas that bind the soul.
• Udaya Prakriti (Fructifying Karmas): Details the 122 types of karmas that are currently yielding results.
• Sattva Prakriti (Existing Karmas): Details the 148 types of karmas that are present in the soul.
• Sankhya (Number): Discusses the quantity of beings in various states.
• Kshetra (Space): Explains the spatial distribution of souls.
• Sparshana (Contact/Reach): Describes the extent of influence or presence of souls.
• Kala (Time): Discusses the duration of existence in different states.
• Antara (Interval): Explains the time gap between different states.
• Jati (Species/Forms of Life): Enumerates the 84 lakh types of life forms.
• Kula (Lineage/Class): Explains the concept of lineage and its classifications.

The book meticulously details the permutations and combinations of these categories across the 14 Gunasthanas, providing extensive tables that map out the presence or absence of specific qualities, activities, and karmic states at each stage of spiritual progress. This detailed analysis aims to provide a clear and logical framework for understanding the soul's journey from bondage to liberation.

The work is highly regarded for its depth, clarity, and scholarly approach to Jain philosophy, making it an invaluable resource for serious students of Jainism. The text aims to illuminate the path to spiritual purification and ultimate liberation (Moksha) through the understanding and practice of its principles.