Dravya Gun Paryay Rasna Chuta Bol

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Dravya Gun Paryay na Rasna Chhuta Bola Raasna Aadhare Vivechan" by Pravin K Mota, which is a commentary on the "Dravya Gun Paryay no Ras" composed by Mahamahopadhyaya Shri Yashovijayji Ganivar.

The book delves into the fundamental Jain philosophical concepts of Dravya (Substance), Guna (Quality), and Paryaya (Mode/State), exploring their intricate relationships and classifications through the lens of various philosophical schools and logical reasoning (Nayas).

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and concepts discussed:

I. Introduction and Purpose:

• The book is a commentary on an existing work, aiming to clarify complex philosophical concepts.
• The author's intention is to make the profound teachings of Jainism accessible and understandable.
• The commentary explains "Chhuta Bola" (short phrases or points) derived from the original text, which serve as aids for remembering and understanding the concepts.

II. Core Concepts: Dravya, Guna, and Paryaya:

• Dravya (Substance): The fundamental reality that possesses qualities and modes. It is eternal and unchanging in its essence.

  • Types of Dravya:
    • Astikaya Dravya: Substances with extension in space (Jiva, Pudgala, Dharmastikaya, Adharmastikaya, Akashastikaya).
    • Oupacharik Dravya: Substances that are conceptually accepted but not materially existent (Kalavyavyaya - Time).
    • Astikaya Classification: Further divided into Jiva (soul) and Ajiva (non-soul). Ajiva is then classified into Dharmastikaya, Adharmastikaya, Akashastikaya, and Pudgalastikaya, each with its unique characteristics and scope.
  • Aspects of Dravya: Dravya can be considered as a whole (Skandha), a part (Desh), or a fundamental unit (Pradesh).

• Guna (Quality): Inherent attributes or characteristics of a Dravya that are eternal and co-exist with the substance.

  • Types of Guna:
    • Samanya Guna (General Qualities): Qualities common to all substances or a class of substances (e.g., Existence, Substance-hood, Non-substance-hood). These are further categorized into mutually non-contradictory and mutually contradictory qualities.
    • Vishesh Guna (Specific Qualities): Qualities unique to a particular substance (e.g., Knowledge, Perception, Bliss, Potency for Jiva; Color, Taste, Smell, Touch for Pudgala; Motion for Dharmastikaya; Rest for Adharmastikaya; Space for Akashastikaya; Time for Kalavyavyaya).

• Paryaya (Mode/State): Transient states or modifications of a Dravya, which arise and perish while the Dravya remains.

  • Types of Paryaya:
    • Vyanjana Paryaya: Modes that extend across past, present, and future, representing the continuous essence of a substance (e.g., a person being a human from birth to death).
    • Artha Paryaya: Modes that are specific to the present moment, representing the immediate modifications (e.g., a person's current state of being a child, youth, or old person).

III. Interrelationship of Dravya, Guna, and Paryaya:

• Interdependence: Gunas and Paryayas reside within the Dravya.
• Dravya as Support: Dravya is the substratum or support for Gunas and Paryayas.
• Difference and Non-difference: The text extensively discusses the paradox of difference and non-difference between Dravya, Guna, and Paryaya. They are non-different from the perspective of substance (Dravyarthika Naya) and different from the perspective of modes (Paryayartha Naya).

IV. The Role of Nayas (Viewpoints/Perspectives):

• Foundation of Understanding: Nayas are crucial for understanding the multifaceted nature of reality as presented by Jain philosophy.
• Dravya and Paryaya as the Basis of Nayas: The distinction between Dravya and Paryaya gives rise to different Nayas.
• Dravya-centric Nayas: Focus on the substance and its unchanging essence.
  • Dravyarthika Naya: The primary Naya that perceives the substance itself, often emphasizing non-difference. It is further divided into:
    • Shuddha Dravyarthika: Perceiving the essence in its pure form, free from all contingencies.
    • Mishra Dravyarthika: Perceiving the substance with its essential qualities and dependencies.
• Paryaya-centric Nayas: Focus on the transient modes and changes.
  • Paryayartha Naya: The Naya that perceives the transient states and modifications, emphasizing difference.
• Classification of Nayas: The text details various classifications of Nayas, including:
  • Digambara Classification: Nine Nayas (Dravyaarthika, Paryayartha, Naigama, Sangraha, Vyavahara, Rjusutra, Shabda, Samabhirudha, Evambhuta), with further sub-classifications.
  • Shvetambara Classification: Typically five or seven Nayas, with different emphasis on their scope.
  • Naya vs. Naya-abhasa: The text also touches upon "Naya-abhasa" (fallacious viewpoints) and contrasts them with the correct Nayas, associating them with other philosophical systems like Nyaya, Vaisheshika, Sankhya, Buddhism, and Vedanta.
• Saptabhangi (Seven-fold Predication): The concept of Saptabhangi (Syadasti, Syadasti-nasti, Syad-bhinnah, Syad-abhinnah, etc.) is explained as a logical tool to express the multifaceted nature of reality, arising from the combined understanding of Nayas.

V. Other Key Concepts Discussed:

• Utpad, Vyay, Dhrauvya (Origination, Decay, Permanence): The inseparable aspects of any substance's existence, explained in relation to Dravya, Guna, and Paryaya.
• Swabhava (Nature): The inherent nature of a substance, further classified into general and specific Swabhavas, and how Nayas perceive them.
• Naya-vatar: An analysis of how different Nayas perceive various Swabhavas.
• Upalabdhi (Perception): How qualities and modes are perceived through different senses.
• The Six Substances: A detailed explanation of the characteristics and divisions of Jiva, Pudgala, Dharmastikaya, Adharmastikaya, Akashastikaya, and Kalavyavyaya.
• Number of Qualities: Discussion on the number of qualities present in each substance, leading to a total count.
• Classification of Purush (Soul) and Pudgala (Matter): Detailed classifications based on various criteria like sentience, form, origin, etc.

VI. Philosophical Underpinnings:

• Anekantavada (Non-absolutism): The underlying principle that reality has multiple aspects, and no single viewpoint captures its entirety. The Nayas are tools to understand these multiple facets.
• Syadvada (Conditional Predication): The doctrine that statements about reality are always conditional.
• The Importance of Correct Understanding: The text emphasizes the need for a correct understanding of these concepts to achieve spiritual liberation.

Overall, the book "Dravya Gun Paryay na Rasna Chhuta Bola Raasna Aadhare Vivechan" is a scholarly and detailed exposition of fundamental Jain metaphysical concepts. It systematically breaks down the intricate relationships between substance, quality, and mode, illustrating them with logical reasoning and the various Nayas, making it a valuable resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of Jain philosophy.