Dasa Prakirnaka Sutra Agam Guna Manjusha - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Sri Agama Guna Manjusha" by Gunsagarsuri, focusing on the "Dasa Prakirnaka Sutra" and related Agamas:

The text, "Sri Agama Guna Manjusa," edited by Achalgachhadhipati P.P. A. Bh. Sw. Shri Gunsagar Surishwarji M.S.A., serves as a guide to Jain Agamas, providing a concise introduction to 45 of them. The core of this section delves into the "Dasa Prakirnaka Sutras," offering brief descriptions of each.

Introduction to Jain Agamas:

The book categorizes the Agamas into several groups:

11 Anga Sutras:
- Acārāṅga Sūtra: Describes the conduct of monks and householders.
- Sūyagaḍāṅga Sūtra: Discusses various philosophical viewpoints, including ritualists, non-ritualists, agnostics, and restraint-propounders, with a focus on the teaching of entity.
- Sthānāṅga Sūtra: Primarily deals with calculation and touches upon other teachings, uniquely describing objects from one to ten and beyond.
- Samavāyāṅga Sūtra: Similar to Sthānāṅga, it enumerates objects from one to one hundred, and then in larger increments up to crores.
- Vyākhyā-prajñapti Sūtra (Bhagavatī Sūtra): The largest Anga, containing discussions on all four types of teachings and considered a treasure trove of Jain philosophy.
- Jñātṛdharma-kathāṅga Sūtra: Focuses on religious discourses and narratives.
- Upāsaka-daśāṅga Sūtra: Details the twelve vows and the lives of ten great lay disciples.
- Antagaḍa-daśāṅga Sūtra: Primarily deals with religious discourses, presenting brief life sketches of highly spiritual souls destined for liberation.
- Anuttaropapātika-daśāṅga Sūtra: Features life sketches of individuals who practice religious conduct, attain higher realms, and ultimately achieve liberation.
- Praśna-vyākaraṇa Sūtra: Primarily concerns conduct, answering questions posed by various beings, and describes paths of transgression and self-control.
- Vipāka Sūtra: Presents illustrative examples of both sinful and virtuous souls, detailing the fruition of actions.
12 Upāṅga Sūtras:
- Aupapātika Sūtra: A subordinate text to Acārāṅga, describing aspects like austerity and the lives of disciples.
- Rājapraśnīya Sūtra: A subordinate text to Sūyagaḍāṅga, depicting royal life and religious practices.
- Jīvābhigama Sūtra: A subordinate text to Sthānāṅga, analyzing the self and non-self and detailing veneration rituals.
- Prajñāpanā Sūtra: A subordinate text to Samavāyāṅga, describing various steps or topics.
- Sūrya-prajñapti Sūtra and Candra-prajñapti Sūtra: These two Agamas focus on calculation, describing celestial movements and phenomena.
- Jambūdvīpa-prajñapti Sūtra: Also falls under calculation, providing a detailed description of the Jambūdvīpa continent.
- Nirayāvali-pancaka: This group includes Nirayāvali Sūtra (describing the war and subsequent hellish births), Kalpāvatamsaka Sūtra (life sketches of princes), Pupphiya-upāṅga Sūtra (covering various deities and disciples), Pupphacūlikā Sūtra (previous births of goddesses), and Vṛṣṇidaśā Sūtra (stories related to the Yadu dynasty).
10 Payanna Sutras:
- Chaturaśaraṇa Prakīrṇaka Sūtra: Describes the conduct and acceptance of the four refuges (Arhant, Siddha, Sadhu, Gacchadharm).
- Ātura Pratyākhyāna Prakīrṇaka Sūtra: Focuses on final practices and improving one's passage through death.
- Bhakta Parijñā Prakīrṇaka Sūtra: Discusses three types of death for the learned and related practices.
- Sansthāraka Prakīrṇaka Sūtra: Extols the virtues and significance of Sansthāraka (voluntary cessation of life).
- Tandula Vaichārika Prakīrṇaka Sūtra: Referred to as an ocean of detachment, it details dietary aspects over a hundred years of life.
- Chandāvijaya Prakīrṇaka Sūtra: Explains practices for improving one's death.
- Devendra-stava Prakīrṇaka Sūtra: Presents hymns sung by Indra to the Supreme Soul and details related to Indras.
- Marana Samādhi Prakīrṇaka Sūtra: Elaborates on practices related to death and summarizes eight chapters on the subject.
- Mahāpratyākhyāna Prakīrṇaka Sūtra: Specifically details practices for monks at the time of death and other beneficial information.
- Gaṇividyā Prakīrṇaka Sūtra: Provides a summary of major texts on astrology.
6 Cheda Sutras:
- Nishitha Sūtra, Mahā Nishitha Sūtra, Vyavahāra Sūtra, Jita Kalpa Sūtra, Pañcha Kalpa Sūtra, and Daśa Śruta Skandha Sūtra. These texts deal with rules, exceptions, and penances, and their study is generally restricted to highly qualified monks.
4 Mūla Sutras:
- Daśavaikālika Sūtra: Considered a nectar for monks and nuns in the fifth era, it contains ten lessons and two concluding parts (Chūlikās).
- Uttarādhyayana Sūtra: Contains the final teachings of Lord Mahavira, focusing on detachment and monastic conduct.
- Āvaśyaka Sūtra: Essential for all four parts of the Jain community, it details six obligatory daily duties.
- Anuyogadvāra Sūtra: Known as the "key to all Agamas," it explains the principles of Anuyoga (explanatory devices) and is crucial for understanding other scriptures.

Dasa Prakirnaka Sutras (Detailed):

The text then elaborates on the ten Prakirnaka Sutras:

Chatuśaraṇa Prakīrṇaka: Discusses the nature of the conduct of Arhantas, Siddhas, Sadhus, and the Gacchadharma, and the acceptance of the four refuges.
Ātura Pratyākhyāna Prakīrṇaka: Focuses on the final veneration and improving one's state at the time of death.
Bhakta Parijñā Prakīrṇaka: Describes three types of death (Pandita Marana, Ingini Marana, Pādopagamana Marana).
Sansthāraka Prakīrṇaka: Highlights the glory of Sansthāraka, the practice of voluntary death.
Tandula Vaichārika Prakīrṇaka: Known as an "ocean of detachment," it details the dietary intake of a soul over 100 years, emphasizing the importance of spiritual practice.
Chandāvijaya Prakīrṇaka: Explains how veneration can lead to improvement in one's passing.
Devendra-stava Prakīrṇaka: Describes the praises offered by Indra to the Supreme Being and other related details about Indra.
Maraṇa Samādhi Prakīrṇaka: Provides a detailed explanation of practices for a peaceful death, summarizing eight chapters on the topic.
Mahāpratyākhyāna Prakīrṇaka: Specifically details the practices for monks at the time of death and other beneficial actions for self-welfare.
Gaṇividyā Prakīrṇaka: Summarizes important astrological texts.

The text mentions that these ten Prakirnakas, along with 22 others, are available, and sometimes Gacchāchāra is substituted for Chandāvijaya.

Specific Sutras Detailed in the Provided Pages:

The subsequent pages of the text provide more detailed explanations of specific sutras within the broader Agama classification:

Eleven Angas: Acārāṅga, Suyagaḍāṅga, Sthānāṅga, Samavāyāṅga, Vyakhyā-prajñapti (Bhagavatī), Jñātṛdharma-kathāṅga, Upāsaka-daśāṅga, Antagaḍa-daśāṅga, Anuttarovavayi-daśāṅga, Praśna-vyākaraṇa, and Vipāka-sūtrāṅga.
Twelve Upāngas: Uvavayi, Rājapraśnīya, Jīvābhigama, Prappavāṇā, Sūrya-prajñapti, Candra-prajñapti, Jambūdvīpa-prajñapti, Nirayāvali-pancaka (Nirayāvali, Kalpāvatamsaka, Pupphiya-upāṅga, Pupphacūlikā, Vṛṣṇidaśā).
Ten Payanna Sutras: Aurapaccakhāņa, Bhattaparinna, Bhattaparinna (repeated), Santhāragapayaññā, Tandula-viyaliya, Candāvijaya, Devendrathui, Maranasamadhi, Mahapaccakhana, and Ganivijaya.
Six Cheda Sutras: Vyavahāra, Nisītha, Mahānisitha, Pañcakaḷpa, Daśāśruta-skandha, and Bhatkalpa.
Four Molas Sutras: Daśavaikālika, Uttaradhyayana, Āvaśyaka, and Anuyogadvāra.
Two Chūlikās: Nandi Sūtra and Anuyogadvāra Sūtra.

The text then includes excerpts from specific sutras like the Devendrastava (Part 1 of the Dasa Payanna Sutras), detailing hymns to Lord Mahavira by 32 Indras, their residences, lifespans, palaces, dimensions, colors, and the extent of their knowledge. It also includes detailed descriptions of the celestial beings ( Bhavanapati, Vanmayantara, Jyotishika, and Vaimanika devas), their realms, lifespans, and powers, often presented in verse form.

Further sections detail the Tandula Viyaliya Payanna Sūtra, discussing the stages of human life and the concept of a hundred-year lifespan with its associated dietary calculations. It also touches upon the impermanence of the body and the aversion one should develop towards it.

The Chanda Vijaya Sūtra focuses on the qualities of Vinaya (humility), Guru, Shishya, and the proper approach to learning and practice, emphasizing the importance of humility in acquiring knowledge and spiritual progress.

The Gaṇividyā Prakīrṇaka details astrological calculations, including auspicious and inauspicious times, planetary movements, and their influence.

Finally, the Maraṇa Samādhi Prakīrṇaka and Ātura Pratyākhyāna Prakīrṇaka provide extensive guidance on practices for a peaceful death and final spiritual preparation, including descriptions of various methods of renunciation, contemplation, and acceptance of hardships. The Mahāpratyākhyāna Prakīrṇaka further elaborates on these principles, emphasizing the rejection of worldly attachments and the importance of following the path laid out by the Tirthankaras. The Sansthāraka Prakīrṇaka extols the virtues of Sansthāraka and the importance of detachment.

Overall, the provided text is a foundational compilation of Jain Agamas, offering a structured overview and detailed insights into the "Dasa Prakirnaka Sutras" and their philosophical and practical significance within Jainism.