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Gommatsara Jivkand

Added to library: September 1, 2025

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First page of Gommatsara Jivkand

Summary

Based on the provided Hindi text from the pages of "Gommatsara Jivakand," here's a comprehensive summary in English:

Book Title: Gommatsara Jivakand Author: Nemichandra Siddhant Chakravarti Publisher: Raghunath Jain Shodh Sansthan Jodhpur Overall Context: This text is an introduction to the Gommatsara Jivakand, authored by Nemichandra Siddhant Chakravarti, a renowned Jain philosopher. The provided pages focus on the editorial introduction, historical context, author information, and a detailed breakdown of the text's structure, particularly the initial sections covering the Mangalacharan (Invocation) and the definition and classification of Gunasthans (Stages of Spiritual Progress) and Marganas (Categories of Inquiry).

Key Information Presented:

  1. Origin of Gommatsara: The text clarifies that Gommatsara was composed at the request of Chamundaraya, a disciple of Acharya Ajitasena and also a disciple of Nemichandracharya. Chamundaraya's childhood name was "Gommat," and "Raya" was his title. The statue built by him was known as Gommateshwara or Gommatdeva, giving the text its name, "Gommatsara," which means "the essence of the Dhavala text extracted for Gommat." The book is also referred to as "Gommatsangrahasutra" or "Gommatasutra."

  2. Author - Nemichandra Siddhantachakravarti:

    • He was an exceptional scholar and a prominent Acharya of the Desiya Gana.
    • He was a master of mathematics and attained the title "Siddhantachakravarti" due to his deep study of the Shatkhandagama scriptures.
    • He states that just as a Chakravarti king conquers the six continents, he has mastered the six sections of the Shatkhandagama (Jivasthana, Khuddabandha, Bandhaswamitva Vichaya, Vedana, Vargana, and Mahabandha) through his wisdom.
    • He is praised by other scholars like Madhavachandra Vidyadeva as "Bhagavan Nemichandra Siddhantadeva," who crossed the four oceans of Anuyogas.
    • He composed Gommatsara while seated before an idol of Lord Neminath at Pandanagiri.
    • Besides Shatkhandagama, he was proficient in Kashayapahud (with Chunisutra) and Trilokyapanatti.
    • Gommatsara, Labdhisara, Kshanāshara, and Trilokyasara are attributed to him as summaries of these earlier foundational texts.

  3. Time Period of the Author:

    • Based on the fact that Keshavavarni, the commentator of the Karnataki Prativritti, mentions that Nemichandra composed Gommatsara for Chamundaraya.
    • Chamundaraya was the Prime Minister and Commander-in-Chief of King Rachamalla of Gang Dynasty.
    • Chamundaraya completed his "Chamundaraya Purana" in 900 AD (Vikram Samvat 1031).
    • Rachamalla's reign lasted until 1041 AD.
    • The installation of the Gommatesh idol is dated to 953-954 AD (Vikram Samvat 1037-38).
    • Nemichandracharya was present at the Gommatesh installation.
    • Therefore, Nemichandracharya's time is deduced to be the 11th century AD.

  4. Guru of the Author: Nemichandra Siddhantachakravarti refers to himself as a disciple of Guru Abhayavandi in the last verse of Trilokyasara. He also mentions Acharyas Viranandi, Indranandi, and Kanakanandi with great reverence. Based on a verse in Gommatsara Karmakanda, his initiation guru is likely Abhayavandi.

  5. Textual Structure and Content:

    • Two Parts: Gommatsara consists of two parts: (1) Jivakanda and (2) Karmakanda.
    • Jivakanda: Describes the impure soul through the stages of spiritual progress (Gunasthana) and paths of inquiry (Margana), covering twenty-two chapters. While its primary focus is the soul's state in Samsara, it also sheds light on the soul's pure, inherent nature, evidenced by the concluding verses of the twenty descriptive chapters. Several verses in Jivakanda (e.g., 2, 8, 17-18, 20, etc.) are directly taken from the Dhavala text, sometimes with minor modifications.
    • Karmakanda: Details the eight Karmas and their various states.
    • Compilation Nature: Gommatsara (both Jivakanda and Karmakanda) is described as a compilation text, as indicated by the name "Gommatsangrahasutra" in Karmakanda verse 665. It is a well-organized, balanced, and complete compilation, holding a significant place in Digambara Jain literature.
    • Scope: The 734 Prakrit verses in Jivakanda contain immense wisdom ("filling the ocean in a pitcher"). It largely encapsulates the essence of the Dhavala texts.

  6. Commentaries and Translations: The introduction mentions several Sanskrit and Kannada commentaries on Gommatsara and also lists various Hindi language commentaries, highlighting the significance and popularity of the text. It also notes an English translation. The current Hindi commentary is presented as a new endeavor, based on the Dhavala, Jayadhavala, and Mahadhavala texts to provide a more accurate and profound interpretation than previous ones, like Pt. Todarmal's Samyagjnana Chandrika.

  7. Specific Sections Explained:

    • Mangalacharan (Invocation): The first verse is an invocation to Lord Nemichandra (Nemishvara), praising Him as Siddha, pure, immaculate, and adorned with virtues. The introduction explains the significance of auspicious beginnings, the types of mangala (nibaddha and anibaddha), and the multifaceted meaning of "mangala" itself as the dispeller of impurities.
    • Twenty Prarupanas (Discussions): The text will discuss twenty aspects related to the soul. The second verse lists them as Gunasthana, Jivasama, Paryapti, Prana, Samjna, Margana (14), and Upayoga (12).
    • Gunasthana (Stages of Spiritual Progress): The text outlines the 14 Gunasthanas: 1. Mithyatva (False Belief), 2. Sasadan (Degraded Simultaneous Attainment), 3. Mishra (Mixed Belief), 4. Avirat Samyagdrushti (Unvirtuous Right Faith), 5. Desavirata (Limited Vow-holder), 6. Pramattavirata (Careful Vow-holder), 7. Apramattavirata (Careful Vow-holder), 8. Apurvakaran (New Causation), 9. Anivartikaran (Unfailing Causation), 10. Sukshmasayapara (Subtle Remnant Passion), 11. Upashantakashaya (Suppressed Passions), 12. Ksheenkasaya (Destroyed Passions), 13. Sayogakevali (Kevalin with Corporeal Body), 14. Ayogkevali (Kevalin without Corporeal Body). It also discusses the types of bhavas (states) associated with these stages, particularly in relation to the Mohaniya karma.
    • Margana (Categories of Inquiry): The text lists the 14 Marganas: Gati (Destination), Indriya (Sense Organs), Kaya (Body), Yoga (Activity), Veda (Disposition), Kashaya (Passions), Jnana (Knowledge), Samyama (Restraint), Darshana (Perception), Leshya (Subtle Colors of the Soul), Bhavyatva (Potential for Liberation), Samyaktva (Right Faith), Samjnitva (Sentience), and Ahara (Nutrition). The interplay between these Marganas and Gunasthanas is a core aspect of the text.
    • Specific Concepts Explained: The introduction also touches upon difficult concepts like Kevali Samudghata (expansion of soul-substance by Omniscients), Matsya-rachana (a diagrammatic representation related to avagahana, illustrating different states of beings). The text aims to clarify complex philosophical points with detailed explanations and citations from earlier scriptures like Dhavala.

Overall Purpose: The Gommatsara Jivakand, as introduced here, is a comprehensive and systematic treatise on Jain philosophy, particularly focusing on the nature of the soul, its states of progress, the karmic processes, and the vast classifications of existence. It serves as a foundational text for understanding the intricate doctrines of the Digambara Jain tradition.

This summary consolidates the information from the provided pages, focusing on the introductory and contextual elements of the Gommatsara Jivakand.