Gruhastha Ma Chha Karttavyo Pustika 1 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Gruhastha ma Chha Karttavyo Pustika 1" (The Six Duties of a Householder, Booklet 1), based on the provided pages:

This booklet, published by Nemi Vigyan Kastursuri Shreni Mumbai and authored by Muni Kushalchandravijay and Acharya Chandrodaysuri, is dedicated to guiding householders (Gṛhastha) in their spiritual and ethical practices. The core message emphasizes the importance of discipline and adherence to principles for a meaningful life.

Core Teachings and Structure:

The booklet is part of a series and focuses on the fundamental duties of a householder in Jainism. It introduces six essential duties (ṣaṭkarmaṇi) that should be performed daily:

Devapūjā (Worship of the Divine): This involves devotion and reverence towards the Jina (Tirthankaras) and their teachings, seeing them as the path to peace and liberation from suffering. It highlights that even in the presence of worldly desires and possessions, worshipping the divine provides solace and guidance. The booklet explains that worship can be through images (mūrti) and through studying the teachings (āgama). It differentiates between saguṇa (with attributes) and nirguṇa (without attributes) upasana, suggesting saguṇa worship as a stepping stone to higher spiritual attainment.
Gurūbhakti / Sādhu Bhakti (Devotion to the Guru/Ascetics): This duty emphasizes respecting and honoring Jain monks and ascetics who have renounced the world for the welfare of others. They are seen as the direct guides and exemplars of the path shown by the Tirthankaras. The booklet suggests that devotion to them, even through their images or by following their teachings, brings blessings and inspires one to walk the righteous path. The story of Ekalavya is used as an example of devotion to a guru's image leading to great skill.
Swādhyāya (Self-study/Spiritual Study): This involves the regular reading and contemplation of spiritual texts. Such study is likened to having a good friend or association ( satsaṅga) that purifies thoughts and leads to righteous conduct. It's stressed that even a few pages read daily can lead to significant spiritual benefit over time.
Saṃyama (Self-control/Restraint): This is a crucial aspect of the householder's duties, focusing on controlling the five senses and the mind. The booklet emphasizes that a life without control leads to downfall, while self-control leads to progress. Various examples, from natural phenomena to human societal structures, are used to illustrate the concept of "control" (aṅkuśa). This section stresses the importance of internal control over desires and actions.
Tapa (Austerity/Penance): Tapa is presented as a means to purify the soul and shed karmic burdens. It's explained that since the soul is naturally devoid of the need for physical sustenance, the practice of austerities like fasting (upavāsa), partial fasting (āyambil), etc., helps in realizing this inherent nature and reducing the accumulation of new karma. Tapa is seen as essential alongside self-control and non-violence.
Dāna (Charity/Giving): Dāna is placed as the first duty because it helps to reduce attachment to possessions, greed, and ego. It's seen as a way to mitigate the innate tendency to "take" (laū̃). Giving, even in small amounts, from what one has is encouraged to foster detachment and prepare for other spiritual practices like austerity and devotion. It's a step towards overcoming worldly desires.

Illustrative Concepts and Examples:

The booklet uses various analogies and examples to explain its points:

The Concept of "Control" (Aṅkuśa): Pages 3 and 6 vividly illustrate how control is essential in various aspects of life. Examples include:
- Human Society: Courts (nyāyālaya), legislatures, and various institutions have rules and regulations for order.
- Animals: Elephants are controlled with an ankus, horses with reins, lions with cages, and dogs with chains.
- Machines: Brakes on vehicles, switches on electrical appliances.
- Nature: Dams to control rivers, fences to protect crops, windmills and fans to harness wind, and fire control for cooking and electricity.
- Plants: Controlled cultivation with fertilizer and protection.
- The Body and Mind: The ultimate control is over the five senses and the mind to avoid negative karma and achieve spiritual progress.
The Importance of Rules and Vows (Niyama): The booklet repeatedly stresses the necessity of making resolutions and vows. It likens them to registering property for ownership or formalizing a business partnership. Without rules, even good intentions might not yield the desired results. The example of Kamalsen and the potter's wheel highlights how even seemingly small vows, when taken with sincerity, can bring significant spiritual and material benefits.
Spiritual Medicine: The path of Dharma is presented as a form of medicine for the soul. Just as medical treatment requires "chari" (what to consume) and "pareji" (what to avoid), spiritual practice requires adherence to certain rules and abstinence from certain things. This includes consuming sattvic food and abstaining from non-vegetarian items, intoxicants, and other worldly distractions.
The Six Duties in Action: The booklet includes illustrations depicting each of the six duties. It also shows a family diligently following these duties.

Guidance for Practice:

The booklet provides practical advice for householders to implement these duties in their daily lives:

Daily Rituals: Suggestions include chanting Navkar Mantra upon waking, performing daily worship, respecting elders, and chanting Navkar Mantra before sleeping.
Regular Practices: It encourages daily reading of spiritual texts, performing monthly Samayika (meditation), and participating in religious discourses.
Abstinence: It strongly advocates for abstaining from prohibited items (abakshya) and worldly vices like gambling, intoxicants, and immoral entertainment.
Taking Vows (Niyama): The booklet repeatedly urges readers to take vows, even small ones, and to practice them diligently. It provides examples and frameworks for taking vows, suggesting starting with a few and gradually increasing them. It emphasizes that vows are like registration for spiritual progress.
The "Fourteen Rules" (Chaudah Niyama): A significant portion of the later pages is dedicated to elaborating on "Chaudah Niyama," which are specific, measurable regulations for householders to limit their consumption and actions related to various categories of living beings and worldly items. These rules are presented as a structured way to practice restraint and detachment. They include regulations on specific types of food, drink, clothing, vehicles, and even the use of tools and household items.

Overall Message:

"Gruhastha ma Chha Karttavyo Pustika 1" is a practical guide for Jain householders, offering a clear roadmap to integrate spiritual practices into everyday life. It emphasizes that adherence to these six duties, coupled with self-control and the practice of vows, leads to a disciplined, peaceful, and ultimately, liberated life. The booklet stresses that genuine spiritual progress comes from consistent practice and mindful adherence to the principles laid down by the Tirthankaras. It aims to help individuals purify their thoughts, actions, and lifestyle, leading to a harmonious existence and the attainment of spiritual well-being.