Dashvaikalikam - Book Summary | JainGPT

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text Dashvaikalikam by Samaysundar Upadhyay, published by Mumbai Khambhat Shree Sangh, based on the provided pages:

The text is Dashvaikalikam (The Tenets of Tenets), a significant Jain scripture, commented upon by Acharya Shri Samaysundar Upadhyay with his Deepika commentary. The publisher is Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra from Kobatirth, and it's presented for private and personal use.

The book begins with an invocation: "Shri Jinaya Namaha!" and then states the commencement of Shri Dashvaikalikam Sutram along with the Deepika commentary authored by Shrimat Samaysundar Upadhyay.

Key Themes and Content Covered in the Provided Pages:

Nature of Dharma (Page 3): The text defines Dharma as the means to uphold and protect living beings. It emphasizes Ahimsa (non-violence) as the core of Dharma, along with Samyama (restraint) and Tapas (austerities). The text highlights that even deities bow down to those whose minds are always devoted to Dharma. The twelve types of Tapas, both external and internal, are mentioned, drawing from a verse that states: "Anashana (fasting), Avamodana (reducing intake), Vritti-sankshepa (limiting sustenance), Rasatyaga (renouncing tastes), Kaya-klesha (physical penance), Samliniyata (withdrawing senses), these are external austerities. Penance is also of twelve types: expiation, humility, service, self-study, meditation, and renunciation are internal austerities."
The Path of the Ascetic (Pages 4-5): The text uses the analogy of a bee collecting nectar from a flower without harming it to describe the conduct of ascetics (Shramanas). It emphasizes that these ascetics, detached from worldly possessions (both external and internal), live like birds or bees, drawing sustenance only from what is freely given (danabhaktaeshane ratah). They are described as wise (buddha), unaffiliated (anishrita), content with minimal alms (nanapindaratā), and self-controlled (danta). The core principle is to live without harming any being, even in the smallest way.
The Importance of Renunciation and Self-Control (Pages 6-11):
- Overcoming Passions: The first chapter (Adhyayan 1) seems to focus on renunciation and overcoming desires (kama). It asks how one can achieve asceticism if they cannot control desires, stating that failing to do so leads to despair and being controlled by thoughts.
- True Renunciation: It clarifies that true renunciation is not merely abstaining from things but actively abandoning cherished desires (bhoga) when one has the capacity to enjoy them.
- Mind Control: The text delves into methods of controlling the mind, urging ascetics to remember that desires and attachments are not their own and to detach themselves from them.
- Discipline and Austerity: It emphasizes the need for self-discipline, austerity (atapanā), and shedding effeminacy to overcome desires.
- Learning from Nature: Analogies from nature are used to illustrate principles, such as the example of snakes refusing to drink poisoned milk, to encourage refraining from tainted pleasures.
Principles of Jain Conduct (Achar) (Pages 12-49): The latter part of the provided text (from page 12 onwards) delves into specific conduct rules for ascetics, likely covering several chapters (Adhyayan). These include:
- Prohibitions: Detailed descriptions of what ascetics should avoid, such as specific types of food, actions, environments, and interactions. This includes avoiding tainted food (ādhakarmādi), engaging in activities that might harm life forms (prāṇātipāta), speaking falsely, stealing, unnecessary contact with worldly things, and attending to the needs of householders.
- Six-Fold Classification of Life Forms (Shad Jeevanikaya) (Pages 18-27): A significant portion explains the classification of living beings into six categories: earth-bodied (prithvi-kaya), water-bodied (ap-kaya), fire-bodied (teju-kaya), air-bodied (vayu-kaya), plant-bodied (vanaspati-kaya), and mobile beings (trasa-kaya). The text stresses the importance of non-violence towards all these categories. It details how each category is sentient and should be protected.
- The Great Vows (Maha Vratas) (Pages 27-33): The text elaborates on the five great vows of Jainism: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possession). Each vow is explained with its implications and how to uphold it diligently.
- Conduct during different times and situations: Rules are given for behavior during various conditions like rain, heat, or specific locations.
- Specific Prohibitions for Ascetics: Detailed instructions are given about what ascetics should avoid:
  - Food and Drink: Elaborate rules regarding the purity and acceptability of food and water. This includes avoiding food that is mixed with living beings, improperly prepared, or offered with improper intentions.
  - Objects and Possessions: Strict avoidance of any form of attachment or possession, including even seemingly insignificant items.
  - Speech and Conduct: Guidelines on proper speech, avoiding gossip, harsh words, and any interaction that could lead to attachment or harm.
  - Physical Actions: Strict rules about movement, sitting, lying down, touching, and cleaning to prevent harm to the smallest living beings.
- The Importance of Right Knowledge and Conduct: The text repeatedly links right conduct (Achar) with right knowledge (Gyan) and right faith (Sammyaktva). It stresses that true adherence to vows comes from understanding their underlying principles.
The Five Great Vows and Six-Sensed Beings (Pages 27-49): The text reiterates the commitment to the five great vows and discusses the importance of adhering to them consistently. It also explains the significance of avoiding harm to all six categories of living beings.
The Importance of Humility and Detachment: The text emphasizes humility (namrata), detachment from worldly pleasures, and equanimity (samata) in all situations.
The Goal of Liberation (Moksha): The ultimate aim of all these practices is stated to be liberation from the cycle of birth and death, achieving the state of a Siddha.

Structure and Style:

Verse and Commentary: The text consists of verses (Sutras) followed by the commentary (Deepika).
Analogies and Examples: The commentary uses various analogies from nature (bees, trees, animals) and human life to explain complex spiritual concepts.
Emphasis on Detachment: A recurring theme is the importance of detachment from sensory pleasures, worldly possessions, and even one's own body.
Careful Conduct: The text meticulously outlines rules for ascetics to follow in every aspect of their life, ensuring minimal harm to all forms of life.

The concluding pages (117-124) provide the colophon, mentioning the publication details and acknowledging the inspiration and lineage of the commentator, Acharya Shri Samaysundar Upadhyay. It also includes a brief history of the authorship and commentary of the Dashvaikalikam.

In essence, the provided pages of Dashvaikalikam with Deepika commentary offer a profound insight into the rigorous discipline, ethical principles, and spiritual practices prescribed for Jain ascetics, emphasizing Ahimsa, self-control, detachment, and the ultimate goal of Moksha.