Dashalakshnaparva - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Dashalakshnaparva" by Dr. Nalini Joshi, based on the provided pages:

The book "Dashalakshnaparva" by Dr. Nalini Joshi delves into the Twelve Reflections (Anupreksha), a core practice in Jain philosophy for constant contemplation. The author presents these profound concepts, originally articulated by revered thinkers like Kundakunda and Somadeva, in simple Marathi for spiritual understanding. The text is structured as a series of contemplations, each focusing on one of the twelve important themes.

The Twelve Reflections (Anuprekshas):

Anityata (Impermanence/Transience): This first reflection emphasizes that everything in the world, including one's body, health, youth, strength, beauty, and even external phenomena like rainbows and water bubbles, is temporary and fleeting. Life itself is compared to a water wheel, with each breath being a drop of life leaving the body. Death is depicted as a forest fire that consumes everything equally. This contemplation is not meant to cause despair but to inspire one to make every moment count.
Asharanata/Asahyata (Helplessness/Lack of Refuge): This reflection highlights that no worldly possession, knowledge, mantra, medicine, or even divine power can truly save an individual from the cycle of birth, old age, death, disease, and sorrow. Even celestial beings like Indra are not exempt from downfall. The only true refuge is one's own soul, achieved through abandoning evil, embracing good, and striving for purification. This understanding fosters detachment from worldly pleasures and sorrows, leading to self-reliance and the recognition of the soul's intrinsic power.
Ekatva (Oneness/Solitude): This contemplation focuses on the idea of "walking alone." The soul is inherently solitary in its actions, its journey through the cycle of birth and death, its creation, its death, and its experiencing of the fruits of its karma. Sensory pleasures and worldly possessions, though alluring, offer no lasting satisfaction and can lead to sinful deeds. Even earned merit is one's own. This reflection encourages the realization that external possessions and relationships are separate from the soul, and attachments should be relinquished. Like a spider caught in its own web, the soul is bound by its karma, and only through individual effort can this web be loosened.
Anyatva (Otherness/Separateness): This is presented as the other side of the coin to "Ekatva." It emphasizes that all relationships, whether of blood or friendship, are ultimately temporary and based on mutual convenience or self-interest. When self-interest wanes, relationships sour. Therefore, one should view all beings, favorable or unfavorable, as separate from the soul. Grief over the loss or suffering of loved ones distracts from one's own spiritual journey. The reflection clarifies that the body and soul are fundamentally different – the body is material, transient, and limited, while the soul is formless, eternal, and possesses infinite knowledge and bliss. Understanding this separateness leads to a profound inner happiness that surpasses worldly joys.
Sansara (The Cycle of Existence): This contemplation describes the vast and bewildering nature of the cycle of birth and death, akin to being lost in a dense forest. It outlines five types of sansara:
- Dravya Sansara: The endless consumption and abandonment of material substances (pudgala) in the universe.
- Kshetra Sansara: The soul's journey through all conceivable regions of the three realms, taking on various bodies.
- Kala Sansara: The soul's continuous transmigration through time, which is cyclical and immeasurable.
- Bhava Sansara: The soul's movement through the four states of existence: celestial beings, humans, hellish beings, and animals.
- Bhava Sansara: The soul's journey driven by emotions, passions (kashayas), and desires, leading to the formation of karma. Understanding these five aspects is crucial for knowing what to avoid to escape the cycle.
Loka-Anupreksha (Contemplation of the Universe): This reflection describes the structure of the universe (Loka) as defined in Jainism. It consists of five fundamental substances: soul (Jiva), non-soul (Pudgala), medium of motion (Dharma), medium of rest (Adharma), and time (Kala), all contained within space (Akasha). The Loka is divided into the lower world (Adholoka), middle world (Madhyaloka), and upper world (Urdhvoloka), with a specific male-like shape. The text refutes the idea of a creator God, arguing that the universe is eternal and composed of these substances. It emphasizes that this universe is the soul's vast home, but liberation (Moksha) exists at its apex, achievable through diligent effort.
Ashuchi-Anupreksha (Contemplation of Impurity): This reflection takes a stark look at the human body, revealing its inherently impure and repulsive nature. It is described as a framework of bones covered in flesh and skin, with numerous orifices constantly emitting impure fluids. Even with external adornments like perfumes and sandalwood paste, the body's internal impurity remains. The contemplation urges one not to be swayed by external beauty, as a deeper look reveals the truth. It highlights the difficulty of guiding this inherently impure body towards spiritual well-being.
Asrava-Anupreksha (Contemplation of Influx of Karma): "Asrava" refers to the inflow of karmic particles into the soul. This inflow occurs through several "doors": lack of faith in the soul's infinite potential, lack of restraint, the grip of passions like anger, pride, deceit, and greed, and actions performed through body, speech, and mind. These karmas color the soul, leading to repeated births. The reflection advises first to cease negative karmas and embrace positive ones, and ultimately, to renounce even the positive ones to attain purity. This contemplation helps identify what actions and attitudes should be avoided, such as partiality, selfishness, excessive attachment, and hatred.
Samvara (Cessation of Karma Influx): This reflection focuses on blocking the inflow of new karmas. The soul-body is described as a boat in the ocean of existence, vulnerable to holes caused by carelessness, attachment, negative thoughts, and sinful deeds. "Samvara" is the act of plugging these holes to prevent the influx of karmic water. Practices like worshipping revered beings, charity, and acts of benevolence are considered means of samvara for the common person. For those who are more detached, the five great vows (Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Aparigraha, Brahmacharya) are the primary means.
Nirjara (Shedding of Karma): Following the cessation of new karma inflow, the question arises about the karma already accumulated. "Nirjara" means the shedding or removal of accumulated karma. According to karma theory, karma naturally yields its fruits over time and then ceases to remain attached to the soul. Nirjara can occur naturally or through deliberate effort. Human willpower, through practices like meditation, self-study, and austerity (tapasya), can accelerate the ripening and shedding of karma even before its natural time. The human birth is considered rare and precious precisely because it possesses the capacity for such deliberate karmic shedding, which is not possible in other life forms.
Dasha-Vidha Dharma (Ten Virtues): This contemplation focuses on the cultivation of ten cardinal virtues, which are the essence of righteousness. These virtues are personified in the character of a "Sadhu" (ascetic). The ten virtues are:
- Kshama (Forgiveness): Remaining calm even when faced with external provocations.
- Mardava (Humility): Absence of pride regarding one's lineage, beauty, knowledge, wealth, or conduct.
- Arjava (Straightforwardness): Honesty and sincerity, without deceit or crookedness.
- Satya (Truthfulness): Speaking truth that is beneficial and does not cause harm or distress to others.
- Shaucha (Purity): Internal and external purity, free from greed and attachment to possessions.
- Samyama (Restraint): Control over senses and actions, especially adherence to vows.
- Tapasyā (Austerity): Inner contemplation and self-discipline, not just external fasting.
- Tyaga (Renunciation): Letting go of attachments to worldly things through mental, verbal, and physical detachment.
- Akinchanya (Non-possession): The understanding that nothing in the world, including oneself, truly belongs to anyone.
- Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity): Maintaining purity and control, even in the presence of temptations. This section provides guidance for lay practitioners to cultivate these virtues as much as possible.
Bodhi-Durlabha (Rarity of Enlightenment): This final contemplation addresses the extreme rarity of obtaining "Bodhi" or enlightenment. Bodhi is described as the awareness of one's soul's power, the deep realization of impermanence and helplessness, and the diligent cultivation of virtues while contemplating the nature of the three realms and the cycle of births and deaths. It is exceedingly difficult to attain human birth, to develop a desire for Dharma, to find the company of true ascetics, and to tread the spiritual path. Those who waste their hard-earned human life in worldly pursuits are likened to burning sandalwood for ash or discarding pearls for a mere thread. An enlightened person naturally overcomes greed and attachment, shows compassion, speaks wisely, and has virtues residing within them.

In conclusion, the twelve reflections are presented as universally applicable principles for anyone seeking spiritual understanding, not just for Jains. They guide one through understanding impermanence, helplessness, solitude, separateness, the nature of existence, the universe, the body's impurities, the inflow and cessation of karma, the shedding of karma, the cultivation of virtues, and the profound difficulty of achieving enlightenment. The text emphasizes the importance of constant reflection and the value of the human birth for spiritual progress, urging individuals not to waste a single moment.