Gurugun Shattrinshtshatrinshika Kulak Part 03

Based on the provided Jain text excerpts, here's a comprehensive summary in English:

Book Title: Gurugun Shattrinshtshatrinshika Kulak Kulak Part 03 Author: Ratnabodhivijay (Based on the work of Ratnashekharsuri) Publisher: Jinshasan Aradhana Trust

This third part of the "Gurugun Shattrinshtshatrinshika Kulak" by Acharya Ratnashekharsuri, with commentary and Gujarati translation by Muni Ratnabodhivijay, continues the exploration of the thirty-six virtues of a Guru. This specific volume covers stanzas 25 through 40, detailing further essential qualities and practices that define an ideal spiritual guide according to Jain principles.

Key Themes and Content Covered in this Part:

The text elaborates on the virtues and practices of a Guru, focusing on aspects that distinguish a truly virtuous and enlightened spiritual teacher. The core of this section revolves around the Guru's conduct, their mastery over various spiritual disciplines, and their role in guiding disciples towards liberation.

Here's a breakdown of the key virtues and concepts discussed from the provided pages:

• Stanza 25 (Caturvinshatitami Shattrishika - The 24th Chapter): Abandoning Non-Samadhi, Ten Types of Esana Doshas, Five Types of Grasaiṣaṇa Doshas, and Mithyātvam (Wrong Beliefs):

  • This stanza highlights the Guru's detachment from factors that lead to mental disturbance or "non-samadhi."
  • It enumerates twenty types of Asamādhi Sthānāni (factors causing lack of mental peace/equilibrium), which include behaviors like being hasty in movement, interacting with improperly cleaned spaces, excessive use of bedding/seats, anger, backbiting, untimely study, and neglecting proper conduct regarding physical cleanliness.
  • It details ten types of Eṣaṇā Doṣāḥ (defects in acquiring alms/food) such as collecting food that is suspected, preserved, hidden, mixed with impurities, or obtained through improper means. The text elaborates on these defects with detailed descriptions of each.
  • It describes five types of Grāsaiṣaṇā Doṣāḥ (defects related to the act of eating alms), including issues like improper combination of ingredients, exceeding prescribed quantities, consuming food that is burnt or smoky, or consuming food for the wrong reasons.
  • It addresses Mithyātva (wrong belief/conviction), defining it as a singular concept of developing wrong faith in non-deities, non-gurus, and non-dharmas, or vice versa. The text notes that while Mithyātvam has five classifications (Ābhigrahika, Anābhigrahika, Ābhiniveśika, Sāṁśayika, and Anābhogika), the Guru is free from all forms of it.

• Stanza 26 (Panchavimshatitami Shattrishika - The 25th Chapter): Abandoning Twenty-one Shablas (Impurities/Defects in Conduct) and Accepting Fifteen Principles of Shikshaśīla (Disciplined Conduct):

  • This section focuses on the Guru's purity of conduct by avoiding twenty-one Shabala (impurities/flaws). These include things like physical labor, indulgence in sensual pleasures, eating at night, accepting alms prepared with wrong intentions, consuming food from certain sources, transgressing rules regarding movement between congregations, making impure water, practicing deceit, harming living beings, lying, stealing, improper use of the earth, and eating roots or forbidden foods.
  • It also highlights the Guru's adherence to fifteen principles of Śikṣāśīla (disciplined conduct). These principles describe a virtuous disciple (and by extension, a virtuous Guru) as being humble, steady, sincere, not overly curious, refraining from blame and gossip, being friendly, not being arrogant with knowledge, not spreading negativity, not getting angry with friends, speaking well of friends (even if they err), being free from quarrels and violence, being noble-born (in terms of conduct), being modest, and being restrained.

• Stanza 27 (Shaḍvinshatitami Shattrishika - The 26th Chapter): Enduring Twenty-two Pariṣaha (Hardships) and Abandoning Fourteen Ābhyāntara Granthas (Internal Attachments/Defilements):

  • This stanza emphasizes the Guru's resilience by enduring twenty-two Pariṣaha (hardships). These are categorized into different types, including those related to hunger, thirst, cold, heat, insect bites, nakedness, lack of resources, women, wandering, sitting, sleeping, abuse, violence, begging, loss, illness, contact with grass, dirt, honor, disrespect, knowledge, ignorance, and right perception. The text details the specific nature of these hardships.
  • It stresses the Guru's liberation from fourteen Ābhyāntara Granthas (internal attachments or defilements). These are identified as negative internal states such as wrong belief (Mithyātva), the three types of veils (male, female, neuter), sixfold passions (laughter, attachment, aversion, fear, sorrow, disgust), and fourfold inner enemies (anger, pride, deceit, greed).

• Stanza 28 (Saptavimshatitami Shattrishika - The 27th Chapter): Purity in the Vedaika (Posture for Meditation) and Abandoning Six Defects, and the Twenty-fivefold Process of Pratilekhan (Inspection):

  • This section focuses on the meticulousness and purity of the Guru's practices.
  • It mentions five types of Vedikā Doṣāḥ (defects in posture during meditation), likely referring to specific postures that might hinder concentration or violate disciplinary rules.
  • It details six types of defects (Doṣāḥ) to be avoided during Pratilekhan (careful inspection of one's body, clothing, or utensils for living beings). These include "Ārabhaṭa" (improper inspection), "Sammarda" (rough handling), "Mosali" (violent shaking), "Spaṣṭana" (excessive beating), "Vikṣipta" (displacing), and "Vedikā" (improper posture).
  • It describes the twenty-fivefold process of Pratilekhan (inspection), which involves specific movements and gazes to ensure the complete safety of all minuscule life forms. The text outlines a detailed procedure for this crucial practice.

• Stanza 29 (Ashtavimshatitami Shattrishika - The 28th Chapter): Sevenfold Qualities of Purification (Shodhiguṇa) and Adherence to Ninefold Purity in Alms-taking (Navakoti):

  • This stanza highlights the Guru's internal purity through seven Shodhi Guṇa (qualities of purification), such as lightness of being, ability to bring joy, self and other's restraint, straightforwardness, doing difficult tasks, humility, and freedom from attachments/impurities.
  • It also emphasizes the Guru's adherence to Navakoti Shuddhi (ninefold purity) in receiving alms, which includes principles like not killing, not causing killing, not approving of killing, not cooking, not causing cooking, not approving of cooking, not buying, not causing buying, and not approving of buying. These principles ensure that the alms received are ethically obtained and pure.

• Stanza 30 (Nonavimshatitami Shattrishika - The 29th Chapter): Displaying Twenty-eight Siddhis (Supernatural Powers) and Eight Types of Prabhāva (Influence/Aura):

  • This stanza touches upon the twenty-eight types of Siddhis (supernatural powers or attainments) that a highly accomplished spiritual practitioner can achieve, such as powers related to medicine, healing, knowledge of languages, clairvoyance, telepathy, the ability to move in the air, control over snakes, and various forms of extraordinary abilities. The text lists these siddhis.
  • It also describes the eight types of Prabhāva (influential qualities or aura) that a Guru possesses, which include being a propagator of scripture, a preacher of Dharma, a debater, an astrologer/soothsayer, an ascetic, possessing knowledge of sciences, being accomplished, and being a poet. These qualities enhance the Guru's spiritual authority and impact.

• Stanza 31 (Trimshattami Shattrishika - The 30th Chapter): Abandoning Thirty Great Moha (Delusion) Bond Stages and Six Inner Enemies:

  • This stanza emphasizes the Guru's detachment from thirty stages of delusion (Mohaniya Bandha Sthānāni) that bind one to the cycle of birth and death. These stages are associated with the workings of the Mohaniya Karma, which obscures true knowledge and causes attachment.
  • It also highlights the Guru's victory over six inner enemies (Antarāri), which are identified as lust (Kama), anger (Krodha), greed (Lobha), pride (Māna), infatuation (Mada), and excessive joy (Harsha). The Guru's mastery over these internal foes is crucial for their spiritual progress and their ability to guide others.

• Stanza 32 (Ektrimshattami Shattrishika - The 31st Chapter): Knowing Thirty-one Siddha Guṇa (Qualities of the Liberated Soul) and the Five Types of Knowledge (Pañcha Jñāna):

  • This stanza emphasizes the Guru's profound understanding of the thirty-one qualities of the Siddha (liberated soul). These qualities represent the perfected state of a soul that has achieved liberation from all karmic bondage, characterized by infinite knowledge, perception, energy, and bliss.
  • It also highlights the Guru's mastery of the five types of Jñāna (knowledge): Matijñāna (sensory knowledge), Śrutajñāna (scriptural knowledge), Avadhijñāna (clairvoyance), Manahparyāyajñāna (telepathy), and Kevalajñāna (absolute, omniscient knowledge). The Guru's deep comprehension of these different levels of knowledge is essential for their teaching.

• Stanza 33 (Dvatrimshattami Shattrishika - The 32nd Chapter): Protecting the Thirty-two Types of Jivas (Living Beings) and Conquering Four Types of Upsarga (Adversities):

  • This stanza underscores the Guru's compassion and commitment to protecting the thirty-two types of Jīvas (living beings). This includes all forms of life, from the smallest microorganisms to humans and celestial beings, highlighting the Jain principle of Ahimsa (non-violence) in its broadest sense.
  • It also emphasizes the Guru's ability to overcome four types of Upsarga (adversities), which are external difficulties or disturbances caused by divine beings, humans, animals, or even internal states of mind. The Guru's spiritual strength enables them to remain steadfast in the face of such challenges.

• Stanza 34 (Trayastrimshattami Shattrishika - The 33rd Chapter): Purity in Worship (Vandana) without Thirty-two Defects and Abstaining from Four Types of Vicathā (Idle Talk):

  • This stanza focuses on the Guru's perfect practice of Vandana (worship or salutation), free from thirty-two defects. These defects relate to improper conduct during veneration, such as disrespect, arrogance, hypocrisy, distraction, and inappropriate gestures. The text details these thirty-two specific flaws to be avoided.
  • It also highlights the Guru's abstinence from four types of Vicathā (idle or harmful talk): talk about women, food, countries, and rulers. The Guru's speech is always purposeful and beneficial.

• Stanza 35 (Chatustrimshattami Shattrishika - The 34th Chapter): Adherence to Threefold Viryāchāra (Effort/Energy in Practice) and Abstinence from Thirty-three Āśatanā (Transgressions/Disrespect):

  • This stanza emphasizes the Guru's unwavering commitment to Viryāchāra (right effort or energy in spiritual practice), which is threefold: mental, vocal, and physical. The Guru diligently applies their efforts in all aspects of their spiritual discipline.
  • It also stresses the Guru's complete avoidance of thirty-three types of Āśātanā (transgressions or acts of disrespect) towards the spiritual lineage, teachers, or teachings. These Āśātanās are detailed in the text, covering various forms of misconduct in conduct, speech, and thought.

• Stanza 36 (Pañchatrimshattami Shattrishika - The 35th Chapter): Abandoning Twenty-nine Pāpaśruta (Unwholesome Scriptures/Knowledge) and Understanding Sevenfold Purification (Shodhiguna):

  • This stanza highlights the Guru's discernment and avoidance of twenty-nine types of Pāpaśruta (unwholesome scriptures or knowledge). These are texts or teachings that lead to spiritual downfall or promote wrong paths. The Guru's wisdom prevents them from engaging with such detrimental influences.
  • It also emphasizes the Guru's understanding of seven Shodhiguna (qualities of purification), which are essential for spiritual cleansing and progress. These include lightness, ability to bring joy, self and other's restraint, integrity, performing difficult tasks, humility, and freedom from mental impurities.

• Stanza 37 (Shaṭtrimshattami Shattrishika - The 36th Chapter): Possession of Thirty-two Gaṇisampat (Qualities of a Leader/Head of a Congregation) and Fourfold Vinaya (Respectful Conduct):

  • This final stanza in this volume describes the Guru's extensive knowledge and qualities, including thirty-two Gaṇisampat (qualities of spiritual leadership). These qualities are categorized into eight groups, each with four subdivisions, covering aspects like mastery of conduct, scriptures, physical presence, speech, teaching, intellect, practical wisdom, and comprehensive understanding.
  • It also highlights the Guru's practice of Fourfold Vinaya (respectful conduct), encompassing respect for conduct, scriptures, discipline, and the abandonment of defects. This demonstrates the Guru's deep-seated humility and reverence for the spiritual path and its established practices.

Overall Significance:

This part of the text, as indicated by its place as the third volume, continues to systematically present the profound virtues and exemplary conduct of an ideal Jain Guru. It emphasizes not only external practices like purity in alms-taking and inspection but also the Guru's internal mastery over emotions, delusions, and their deep understanding of spiritual knowledge and leadership. The detailed enumeration of various practices and abstinences serves as a guide for both aspiring spiritual leaders and sincere disciples seeking to understand and emulate the path to liberation. The emphasis on "Guru Grit," as implied by the title, underscores the paramount importance of the Guru's role in the spiritual journey.