Chhahadhala - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Chhahadhala" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Chhahadhala Author: Daulatram Pandit Commentator: Hiralal Nyayatirth Publisher: B D Jain Sangh

Overall Purpose and Structure:

"Chhahadhala," also known as "Tattva-Upadesh" (Instruction on Principles), is a significant Jain scripture composed by Pandit Daulatram. The work is structured into six "Dhalas" (sections or chapters), each employing different poetic meters. The primary aim of the text is to explain the fundamental principles of Jainism, guiding the reader towards spiritual liberation. The book is presented with a detailed commentary by Pandit Hiralal Nyayatirth, which further elucidates the verses.

Summary of Each Dhal (as provided):

First Dhal (प्रथम ढाल): The Cycle of Existence (Chauturgati)

Invocation and Purpose: The author begins with an invocation to the "Vitaraga-Vijnanta" (knowledge free from attachment and aversion), which is considered the essence of the three worlds and the cause of liberation. The text aims to impart teachings that alleviate suffering and provide happiness, inspired by compassionate gurus.
The Cause of Suffering: The primary reason for the soul's suffering and transmigration through the cycle of birth and death is Moh (delusion), which the soul has imbibed since time immemorial. This delusion causes the soul to forget its true nature and wander aimlessly.
The Four Realms of Existence (Chaturgati): The Dhal extensively details the suffering experienced in each of the four realms:
- Nigoda (One-sensed beings): The soul spends an immense amount of time in Nigoda, a state of extreme suffering within simple-bodied, collective-bodied plants. Here, beings undergo rapid cycles of birth and death within a single breath, experiencing unimaginable pain. The text clarifies the nature of Nigoda, distinguishing between subtle and gross Nigoda beings, and the concept of eternal Nigoda.
- Tiryancha (Animals/Lower Beings): After Nigoda, the soul progresses through various one-sensed (earth, water, fire, air, plant) and two-sensed, three-sensed, and four-sensed beings, enduring immense suffering. The text describes the difficulties of obtaining a sentient (Tiras) body, the cycle of rebirths in these lower forms, and the constant fear and pain associated with them.
- Panchendriya Tiryancha (Five-sensed Animals): The Dhal then depicts the suffering of five-sensed animals, whether sentient (Saini) or non-sentient (Asaini). These include the torments of being preyed upon, hunger, thirst, harsh weather, bondage, and the general suffering of animal life.
- Naraka (Hellish Beings): The text vividly portrays the excruciating suffering in the hellish realms, described as being far worse than any imaginable torment on earth. This includes the burning touch of the ground, rivers of pus and blood, trees with sword-like leaves, extreme heat and cold, self-inflicted bodily mutilation, and unbearable thirst and hunger. These beings endure these tortures for immensely long periods, measured in Sagar (ocean) units of time.
- Manushya (Human Realm): Even the human realm, often considered fortunate, is depicted as fraught with suffering. The Dhal describes the torment of gestation in the womb, the painful birth process, the vulnerability of infancy, the indulgence in sensual pleasures during youth, and the debilitation and dependence of old age. The text emphasizes how the precious human birth is often wasted due to ignorance and attachment.
- Deva (Heavenly Beings): The Dhal also touches upon the suffering of heavenly beings. While they enjoy pleasures due to their past good karma, their existence is temporary. They too experience suffering due to envy of those with greater pleasures, and upon the decay of their divine lifespan and attributes, they fall to lower realms, often into one-sensed bodies, thus completing the cycle. The Dhal explains the causes of rebirth in different types of celestial realms (Bhavanvasi, Vyantar, Jyotishi, Vaimanik).

Second Dhal (दूसरी ढाल): False Views and Actions (Mithyatva)

The Root Cause: This Dhal focuses on the underlying causes of suffering: Mithyatva (false views and beliefs), which encompasses Mithyadarshan (false faith), Mithyagyan (false knowledge), and Mithyacharitra (false conduct).
Mithyadarshan: This is explained as the incorrect understanding of the seven Jain tattvas (soul, non-soul, influx, bondage, restraint, dispassion, liberation). It includes identifying the body as the self, believing in external deities and gurus who are themselves deluded, and adhering to false religious practices.
Mithyagyan: This refers to knowledge that is contrary to reality, such as believing in eternalism or nihilism, or adhering to scriptures that promote un-Jain principles or sensual pleasures.
Mithyacharitra: This encompasses actions performed with false faith and knowledge, including ascetic practices performed for worldly gain, clinging to rituals without true understanding, and engaging in harmful activities.
Types of Mithyatva: The Dhal distinguishes between "Agrhita Mithyatva" (innate or natural false views, present from beginningless time) and "Grahita Mithyatva" (false views adopted in this life, often through external influences like false teachers). Both are equally detrimental.

Third Dhal (तीसरी ढाल): The Path to Liberation (Moksha Marg)

The Goal: The Dhal emphasizes that the true aim of life is to attain Sukha (happiness), which is defined as Akulata Vin (without agitation or disturbance). This state of peace is found only in Moksha (liberation).
The Path: The path to this liberated state is Moksha Marg (the path to liberation), which consists of Samyakdarshan (right faith), Samyagyan (right knowledge), and Samyakcharitra (right conduct) – collectively known as the Ratnatraya (three jewels).
Two Aspects of the Path: The Moksha Marg is described as having two aspects:
- Nishchaya Moksha Marg (Ultimate Path): This is the direct experience of the soul's true nature – pure, blissful, and omniscient. It's the state of being the soul itself.
- Vyavahar Moksha Marg (Practical Path): This is the means to achieve the Nishchaya path, involving the understanding and adherence to the seven Jain tattvas with right faith, knowledge, and conduct.
Description of Tattvas and the Soul: The Dhal elaborates on the nature of the soul (Jiva) in its three states: Bahir-atma (outward-oriented, identifying with the body), Antar-atma (inward-oriented, possessing right knowledge and conduct), and Param-atma (the liberated soul, free from all karma). The Tattvas of Ajiva (non-soul), Asrava (influx of karma), Bandha (bondage), Samvara (cessation of karma influx), Nirjara (shedding of karma), and Moksha (liberation) are explained.
Importance of Samyagdarshan: The Dhal stresses that Samyagdarshan is the foundation, the first step towards the path of liberation. It's described as the root of all true Dharma. Without it, even right knowledge and conduct are considered incomplete or false.
Eight Angas and Twenty-five Doshas of Samyagdarshan: A significant portion of this Dhal is dedicated to describing the qualities (eight angas) that purify Samyagdarshan and the faults (twenty-five doshas) that contaminate it. The eight angas are: Nishankita (certainty), Nishkankshita (desirelessness), Nirvichikitsa (non-disgust), Amudhadrishti (correct perspective), Upaguhana (concealing faults of others, promoting one's own virtues), Sthitikarana (establishing others in the faith), Vatsalya (affection for the faithful), and Prabhava (propagation of the faith). The doshas include eight types of pride (Mada), three delusions (Mudhatva), six non-places of worship (Anayatan), and eight faults arising from the violation of the angas (Shanka, Kanksha, Vichikitsa, etc.).

Fourth Dhal (चौथी ढाल): Right Knowledge and Right Conduct (Samyagyan & Samyakcharitra)

Samyagyan: This Dhal focuses on the importance of right knowledge. It explains that true knowledge, like the sun, illuminates both the self and the external world. The Dhal distinguishes between indirect (Mati, Shrut) and direct (Avadhi, Manahparyaya, Keval) knowledge. It also details the significance of studying scriptures with proper understanding and adherence to eight principles of study (Granthacharya, Arthacharya, etc.). The text highlights how true knowledge is the only source of lasting happiness and liberation.
Samyakcharitra: This section describes right conduct, which is divided into two parts:
- Desh Charitra (Partial Conduct): Practiced by householders (Shravakas), involving the observance of twelve vows (five vows of non-violence, truth, non-stealing, celibacy, and non-possession, along with three Guna Vratas and four Shiksha Vratas). The text details these vows, their subdivisions, and their associated faults (Aticharas).
- Sakal Charitra (Complete Conduct): Practiced by ascetics (Munis), which involves the complete renunciation of all worldly attachments and the strict adherence to five Mahavratas, five Samitis, three Guptis, and the practice of twelve types of austerities (Tapas).
Austerities and Virtues: The Dhal enumerates the twelve austerities (six external and six internal) and the ten virtues (Kshama, etc.) that are crucial for purifying the soul and progressing on the path of liberation.
The End of Life: The Dhal concludes by describing the importance of Sanyasa Maran (death with intention and equanimity) as the culmination of right conduct, leading to heavenly states and ultimately liberation. It also describes the five faults (Aticharas) to be avoided during this final phase.

Fifth Dhal (पांचवीं ढाल): The Twelve Reflections (Anupreksha)

Purpose of Reflections: This Dhal explains the importance of contemplating twelve specific reflections (Anupreksha) for cultivating detachment and spiritual progress. These reflections are especially pertinent for ascetics (Munis) who have renounced the world.
The Twelve Reflections: The Dhal describes each of the twelve reflections:
1. Anitya Bhavana (Impermanence): Contemplating the transient nature of all worldly things – youth, wealth, family, body, and pleasures.
2. Anasharana Bhavana (Absence of Refuge): Realizing that in times of distress, no worldly entity (even powerful beings, wealth, or mantras) can provide true refuge except one's own right faith, knowledge, and conduct.
3. Samsara Bhavana (The Cycle of Existence): Reflecting on the endless cycle of birth and death across the four realms and the suffering inherent in it.
4. Ekatva Bhavana (Solitude): Understanding that the soul is ultimately alone in its journey, experiencing the fruits of its karma independently.
5. Anyatva Bhavana (Otherness): Differentiating the soul from the body and all other non-soul substances.
6. Ashuchi Bhavana (Impurity): Contemplating the impure and decaying nature of the physical body.
7. Asrava Bhavana (Influx of Karma): Understanding how passions and activities lead to the influx of karma.
8. Samvara Bhavana (Cessation of Karma): Reflecting on the means to stop the influx of karma, such as control over senses and mind.
9. Nirjara Bhavana (Shedding of Karma): Contemplating the process of shedding accumulated karma through austerities and detachment.
10. Loka Bhavana (The Universe): Understanding the structure and nature of the universe, its self-existence, and the impermanence of worldly states within it.
11. Bodhi Durlabha Bhavana (Rarity of Right Enlightenment): Reflecting on the extreme difficulty of obtaining the human birth, the opportunity for right faith and knowledge, and the potential to waste it.
12. Dharma Bhavana (The True Religion): Contemplating the essence of the Jain path – right faith, knowledge, and conduct – as the only means to true and lasting happiness and liberation.

Sixth Dhal (छठवीं ढाल): Asceticism and Liberation (Muni Dharma & Siddha)

Sakal Charitra (Asceticism): This Dhal focuses on the rigorous path of ascetics (Munis), who practice complete renunciation. It details the five Mahavratas (Great Vows) with their strict observances and the five Samitis (carefulness in activities) and three Guptis (control over mind, speech, and body). The twenty-eight fundamental virtues (Mulaguna) of an ascetic are also outlined, including the six essential daily duties (Shat Avashyak).
Tapas and Virtues: The Dhal enumerates the twelve types of austerities (Tapas) – six external and six internal – and the ten virtues (Dharma) practiced by ascetics for purifying the soul.
Swarupacharan (Self-Experience): The text describes the state of Swarupacharan, the direct experience of the soul's true nature, achieved through deep meditation. This is the state where the distinctions between the knower, knowledge, and the known dissolve into a unified, blissful consciousness.
The State of Siddha: The Dhal culminates with the description of the Siddha (liberated souls). After shedding the remaining four non-soul-affecting karmas (Ghatiya Karma), they attain the eternal state of omniscience, omnipotence, and absolute bliss, residing in the Siddhashila at the apex of the universe. The eight qualities of the Siddha are also mentioned, resulting from the destruction of all eight karmas.
The Ultimate Goal: The final verses reiterate the ultimate goal of attaining the "Ratnatraya" (three jewels) as the means to this Siddha state, urging the reader to act decisively in this human life before it's too late.

Commentary:

The commentary by Pandit Hiralal Nyayatirth plays a crucial role in making the text accessible. It provides historical context, clarifies terminology, explains complex philosophical concepts, and offers scriptural references to support the author's points. The commentary also delves into the nuances of Jain philosophy, such as the different types of karma, the subtle workings of the soul, and the path to spiritual evolution.

In essence, "Chhahadhala" is a profound and comprehensive guide to the Jain path, starting from the suffering of the cycle of existence, identifying the root causes in false beliefs and actions, presenting the solution in the form of the three jewels, detailing the practices necessary at different stages of spiritual development, and ultimately describing the blissful state of liberation.