Dashlakshana Parva - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text from "Dashlakshana Parva":

The text explains the core concept of Dashlakshana Dharma, which are the ten virtues or disciplines that guide a soul towards its inherent nature and liberation.

The Nature of Dharma and Adharma:

The fundamental principle presented is that Dharma is the inherent nature of a thing, while Adharma is a temporary, external influence or vice.
An analogy is used: Water, by its nature, is cool. When it comes into contact with fire, it becomes hot, but this heat is not its natural state; it's a temporary condition (Adharma). When the fire is removed, the water returns to its natural cool state.
Similarly, the soul's true nature is pure and free from vices. Vices like anger (Krodha), pride (Mana), deceit (Maya), and greed (Lobha) are not intrinsic to the soul but arise due to the influence of karmas. When the soul is free from the influence of karmas, these vices disappear, and the soul resides in its natural state of virtues like forgiveness (Kshama), humility (Mardava), honesty (Arjava), and purity (Shaucha).
The text quotes Acharya Kundakunda, stating that "Vatthu-sahavo ghammi" – the nature of a thing is its Dharma. Therefore, virtues like Kshama are the soul's true Dharma, and vices like Krodha are its acquired, temporary Adharma.

The Ten Categories of Vices and Their Corresponding Virtues:

The text identifies ten categories of vices (Varga) that arise in the soul due to karmic influence. The path to liberation involves renouncing these vices and cultivating their opposing virtues. These ten categories are:

Krodha Varga (Anger) - To be overcome by Kshama (Forgiveness)
Mana Varga (Pride/Ego) - To be overcome by Mardava (Humility)
Maya Varga (Deceit) - To be overcome by Arjava (Honesty/Straightforwardness)
Lobha Varga (Greed) - To be overcome by Shaucha (Purity/Contentment)
Mithya Varga (Untruth/Falsehood) - To be overcome by Satya (Truth)
Himsa Varga (Violence) - To be overcome by Samyama (Self-control/Restraint)
Kama Varga (Lust/Desire) - To be overcome by Tapas (Austerities/Penance)
Steya Varga (Theft/Stealing) - To be overcome by Tyaga (Renunciation)
Parigraha Varga (Possessiveness/Attachment) - To be overcome by Akinchanya (Non-attachment/Poverty)
Abrahma Varga (Unchastity/Impurity) - To be overcome by Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Chastity)

The Practice and Significance of Dashlakshana Dharma:

The path to realizing the soul's true nature involves actively abandoning these vices and cultivating the virtues.
This practice is a continuous effort. As the virtues grow stronger through constant practice, the corresponding vices diminish, becoming smaller and eventually ceasing to exist.
When these ten virtues are fully developed and perfected, the soul is free from all vices and attains its ultimate state, becoming like a परमात्मा (Paramaatma - Supreme Soul or God).
The Jain philosophy asserts that every soul has the potential to become a Paramaatma, and the practice of these ten virtues is the prescribed path to achieve this.
While the observance of these virtues is recommended at all times for monks (Sadhus) and householders (Grihasthas), there is a special emphasis on their observance during the Paryushan Parva, also known as the Dashlakshana Parva.
During this festival, householders devoutly worship these ten virtues, recite mantras, and listen to discourses from scholars.
There is immense faith and devotion among Jains towards this festival and the practice of the Dashlakshana Dharma, as it is considered the cornerstone of Jain spiritual life.