Dandak Laghu Sangrahani

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Dandak Laghu Sangrahani" by Yatindrasuri, based on the provided pages:

Overview:

"Dandak Laghu Sangrahani" is a Jain scripture that systematically categorizes and describes the characteristics of various types of living beings (Dandaks) and the geography of Jambu-dwipa (the central continent of the Jain universe). It appears to be a collection or compilation of existing Jain teachings, with different authors attributed to specific sections. The work is presented in Gujarati and features verses (Gathas) followed by their explanations.

Part 1: Dandak Prakaran (The Chapter on Dandaks)

This section, attributed to Gajsar Muni, focuses on detailing the classifications and attributes of different categories of souls (Dandaks). It systematically enumerates and describes them based on various parameters.

Key Concepts and Categories Covered:

• Enumeration of Dandaks: The text begins by listing the various categories of beings, including:

  • Naraka (Hell-beings)
  • Asura-kumara (Demigods)
  • Prithvikaya (Earth elementals)
  • Ap-kaya (Water elementals)
  • Vana-spatikaya (Plant life)
  • Vayu-kaya (Air elementals)
  • Agni-kaya (Fire elementals)
  • Dvi-indriya (Two-sensed beings)
  • Tri-indriya (Three-sensed beings)
  • Chatur-indriya (Four-sensed beings)
  • Panch-indriya Tiryancha (Five-sensed animals)
  • Manushya (Humans)
  • Vantara (Sub-celestial beings)
  • Jyotish (Luminous celestial beings)
  • Vaimanika (Abode-dwelling celestial beings)
  • Sthavara (Stationary beings - Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Plants)
  • Vikalendriya (Imperfectly endowed beings - two, three, and four-sensed)

• Attributes Described for Each Dandak: For each category, the text elaborates on the following attributes:

  • Sharira (Body): Number of bodies (e.g., four, five, three).
  • Avagahana (Stature/Size): Minimum and maximum height, often in Angulas (fingerspan) or Yojanas (a unit of distance).
  • Sanghatana (Body Constitution/Structure): The type of skeletal or structural formation.
  • Samghayana (Body Build): Refers to the structure and coherence of the body.
  • Samjna (Perception/Consciousness): The level of awareness and mental capacity.
  • Samsthana (Body Form): The shape of the body.
  • Kashaya (Passions/Folic Afflictions): The intensity of anger, pride, deceit, and greed.
  • Leshya (Disposition/Aura): The subtle color of the soul, indicating its spiritual state (e.g., Krishnaleshya, Nilaleshya, Kapotaleshya, Pitaleshya, Padmaleshya, Shuklaleleshya).
  • Indriya (Sensory Organs): The number of senses possessed.
  • Samudghata (Emanation/Projection of Soul): The process where the soul's substance expands outside the body.
  • Drishti (Vision/Perspective): The type of vision possessed (e.g., eye-vision, mind-vision, divine-vision).
  • Darshana (Perception/Sense): The faculty of seeing or perceiving.
  • Jnana (Knowledge): The types of knowledge (e.g.,mati, shruta, avadhi, manahparyaya, kevala).
  • Ajnana (Ignorance): Types of incorrect knowledge.
  • Yoga (Activity/Channels): The activities of mind, speech, and body that lead to karmic influx.
  • Upayoga (Application/Utilization): The application of senses and mind.
  • Upapata (Rebirth/Incarnation): The process of coming into existence.
  • Chyavana (Decay/Death): The process of leaving a particular existence.
  • Sthiti (Duration/Lifespan): The length of time spent in a particular state or life.
  • Paryapti (Development/Fulfillment): The processes of developing body, senses, mind, etc.
  • Kimahara (Type of Food/Sustenance): What the beings consume for sustenance.
  • Sannin (Sentient/Conscious): Whether the being has a developed mind.
  • Gati (Destination/Realm): The realm of existence (hell, animal, human, celestial).
  • Agati (Coming/Return): The process of returning to a particular state.
  • Veda (Sex/Gender): The sexual disposition (male, female, neuter).

• Specific Details: The text provides precise details such as the height of Naraka beings (up to 500 Dhanushya), Devas (7 hands), and Tiryanchas (up to 1000 Yojanas). It also discusses the duration of Vikriyik (transformative) bodies and the time taken for development (Paryapti). The text highlights that Sthavara (stationary beings), Devas, and Naraka beings are without Samghatana.

Part 2: Laghu Sangrahani (The Concise Collection)

This section, authored by Acharya Haribhadra Suri and translated by Yatindrasuri, focuses on the geography and cosmology of Jambu-dwipa, the central continent in Jain cosmology.

Key Concepts and Categories Covered:

• Definition of Laghu Sangrahani: It is defined as a collection of ten subjects related to Jambu-dwipa: Khanda (continents/divisions), Yojana (units of distance), Vasa (residential areas), Parvata (mountains), Kuta (mountain peaks), Tirtha (sacred places), Shreni (lines/rows), Vijaya (regions), Dratha (lakes), and Salila (waters).
• Measurement and Dimensions of Jambu-dwipa: The text provides calculations for the size of Jambu-dwipa, stating it is 190 segments based on Bharatakshetra's measurement, or approximately 100,000 Yojanas in circumference. It details the calculation of its area and circumference.
• Geographical Features:
  • Vasakshetras: It describes the seven Vasakshetras (regions of residence) like Bharat, Mahavideha, Airavata, and the intervening mountain ranges.
  • Mountains: It details various mountain ranges such as Himavant, Mahahimavant, Nishadha, Nila, etc., and their respective heights and compositions (gold, silver, jewels).
  • Kutas (Peaks): It specifies the number of peaks associated with different mountains.
  • Vajrakuta (Diamond Peaks): It mentions mountains that are Vajrakuta.
  • Tirthas (Sacred Places): It lists sacred places within the regions.
  • Shrenis (Rows/Lines): It describes the rows of Vidyadharas (celestial beings) and Abhiyogi devas.
  • Drahas (Lakes): It mentions the great lakes like Padma and the smaller lakes in Deva-kuru.
  • Rivers: It describes the major rivers like Ganga, Sindhu, Rata, Ratavata, Sītā, and Sītodā, along with their tributaries and their ultimate destination in the Salt Ocean (Lavana Samudra). It also provides measurements for the width and length of these rivers.
• Cosmological Significance: The text emphasizes that these geographical features are interconnected and part of the larger Jain cosmological framework. The mountains are rooted within the earth, and many celestial beings reside in these areas.
• Attribution: The "Laghu Sangrahani" part is explicitly attributed to Acharya Haribhadra Suri, a prominent Jain scholar.

Overall Purpose and Significance:

"Dandak Laghu Sangrahani" serves as a foundational text for understanding Jain ontology and cosmology.

• The Dandak section provides a detailed classification of all sentient beings, highlighting their distinct characteristics and lifecycles. This is crucial for understanding the karma theory and the transmigration of souls.
• The Laghu Sangrahani section offers a concise yet comprehensive description of the geography of Jambu-dwipa, which is central to the Jain understanding of the universe. This geographical knowledge is important for understanding the context of the lives and rebirths of beings.

The text is presented in a way that is accessible to Jain followers for study and reflection, aiming to provide a systematic overview of fundamental Jain doctrines. The publisher's note indicates the intention to disseminate this knowledge among the Jain community.