Gurugunshat Trinshtshatrinshika Kulak

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Gurugunshat Trinshtshatrinshika Kulak" by Acharya Shrimad Vijay Hemchandrasuri, as presented in the provided pages:

Book Title: Gurugunshat Trinshtshatrinshika Kulak (श्रीगुरुगुणषट्त्रिंशत्षट्त्रिंशिकाकुलक) Author: Acharya Shrimad Vijay Hemchandrasuri (परम पूज्य वैराग्यदेशना दक्ष आचार्यदेव श्रीमद् विजय हेमचन्द्रसूरीश्वरजी महाराज) Publisher: Sanghvi Ambalal Ratanchand Jain Dharmik Trust (सं. २१. प्रकाशक: संघवी अंबालाल रतनचंद जैन धार्मिक ट्रस्ट) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/022237/1

This text is part of a larger series called "Padarth Prakash" (पदार्थप्रकाश), specifically Volume 21. It is a compilation and explanation of the original work "Shri Guru Gun Shat Trinsht Shat Rin Shika Kulak" (श्रीगुरुगुणषट्त्रिंशत्षट्त्रिंशिकाकुलक) composed by Shrimad Ratnashekharsuri, along with its commentary (Vivaruti) composed by the author himself.

Core Subject Matter:

The book's primary focus is the enumeration and explanation of the virtues and qualities of a Guru (spiritual teacher). It is structured around the concept of "Shattrishis" (छट्ठीशी), which are groups of thirty-six specific qualities or characteristics. The work presents 36 such lists, totaling 1,296 virtues attributed to a Guru.

Purpose and Significance:

The text emphasizes the paramount importance of the Guru in the Jain tradition. It highlights that:

• Gurus are essential guides: They are the ones who reveal the path to liberation and introduce individuals to the divine principles and the path prescribed by the divine.
• Guru's glory is immense: The text quotes various verses from Jain and other philosophical traditions to illustrate the Guru's greatness, stating that even the entire earth as paper, forests as pens, and oceans as ink would be insufficient to fully describe a Guru's virtues.
• Guru's importance supersedes even the divine: The text explains that the Guru is a representative of the divine and the one who facilitates the realization of the divine and the true dharma. This is why the Guru is placed centrally in the triad of Dev (God), Guru (Teacher), and Dharma (Religion).
• Respect for the Guru is a prerequisite for liberation: The text states that reverence for the Guru is an extraordinary cause for attaining liberation, without which moksha is impossible. It is through Guru's grace that one connects with the divine and achieves liberation.
• Understanding Guru's qualities fosters reverence: The book aims to increase reverence for the Guru by detailing their numerous virtues.

Structure and Content:

The book is meticulously organized into sections, each dedicated to one of the 36 "Shattrishis" (groups of 36 qualities). Each Shattrishi focuses on a specific number of virtues, detailing their meaning and significance. The content includes:

• Introduction (Prastavana): Explains the purpose of the book, the lineage of the author and the original text's composer, and expresses gratitude to those who assisted in its publication.
• Invocation (Mangalacharan): Begins with salutations to the Omniscient Lord (Arihant), Siddhas, Acharyas, and other revered spiritual figures.
• The 36 Shattrishis (36 groups of 36 virtues): These form the bulk of the text. Each "Shattrishi" is presented with a heading indicating the number of qualities it covers (e.g., "First Shattrishi," "Second Shattrishi," etc.) and then lists and explains the specific virtues within that group. The virtues are categorized based on themes such as:
  • Country (Chapter 1): Discusses 4 types of Deshna (discourses), 4 types of Katha (narratives), 4 types of Dharma (righteousness), 4 types of Bhavana (meditative states), 4 types of Smarana (remembrance), and 4 types of Dhyana (meditation - Ārta, Raudra, Dharma, Shukla).
  • Country (Chapter 2): Covers 5 types of Samyak Tva (right faith), 5 types of Charitra (conduct), 5 types of Vrat (vows), 5 types of Vyavahara (conduct/practice), 5 types of Achara (action/discipline), 5 types of Samiti (caution/vigilance), 5 types of Swadhyaya (self-study), and 1 type of Samvega (spiritual enthusiasm).
  • Country (Chapter 3): Details 5 types of Indriyas (senses), 5 types of Vishayas (objects of senses), 5 types of Pramadas (infatuations), 5 types of Āsravas (influx of karmas), 5 types of Nidra (sleep/torpor), 5 types of Kubhavana (wrong contemplations), and 6 types of Kaya (life-forms requiring protection).
  • Country (Chapter 4): Discusses 6 types of Vachana Dosha (faults of speech), 6 types of Leshyas (soul-colorations), 6 types of Āvashyaka (daily obligatory duties), 6 types of Dravya (substances in Jain philosophy), 6 types of Tarka (logical reasoning/philosophical views of different schools), and 6 types of Bhasha (languages).
  • Subsequent Shattrishis (Chapters 5-36): Continue to enumerate and explain virtues categorized by number (e.g., 7 types of fear, 7 types of Pidayeshana, 7 types of Pareshana, 7 types of happiness, 8 types of arrogance; 8 types of Jnanāchara, Darshanāchara, Charitrāchara; 8 types of Yogāngas, 8 types of Mahāsiddhis, 8 types of Yogadrushtis; 9 types of Tattvas, 9 types of Brahmacharya vows, 9 types of Niyānas (vows); 10 types of Asamvara, Sanklesha, Upaghāta; 10 types of Sāmāchari, Cittasamādhisthāna; 16 types of Kashāyas; 10 types of Pratisheva, Ālochana Dosha; 4 types of Vinaya Samadhi, Shruta Samadhi, Tapa Samadhi, Āchāra Samadhi; 10 types of Vaiyāvrutya, Vinaya, Dharma; 6 types of Akathya (unutterable things); 10 types of Ruchi (preferences), 12 Angas, 12 Upangas, 2 types of Shiksha; 11 Shravaka Pratimas (stages of lay discipleship), 12 Shravaka Vratas (lay vows), 13 Kriyāsthānas (actions); 15 types of Yogas, 15 types of Sañjñā (consciousness); 3 types of Gāravas (prides), 3 types of Shalyas (inner thorns); 16 types of Udgamana Dosha, 16 types of Utpādana Dosha; 4 types of Abhigraha (vows/commitments); 16 types of Vachana (speech), 17 types of Samyama (restraint), 3 types of Viradhana (transgression); 18 types of unsuitable candidates for initiation, 18 types of Pāpasthāna (sinful activities); 18,000 types of Shilāṅgas (moral disciplines), 18 types of Brahmacharya; 19 types of Kausarga Dosha (faults during meditation); 17 types of Marana (death); 20 types of Asamādhisthāna (states of disharmony), 10 types of Eshana Dosha (faults in alms-taking), 5 types of Grasaeshana Dosha (faults in taking a mouthful), 1 type of Mithyatva (false belief); 21 types of Shabalas (mixed/impure actions); 15 types of Shikshāsila (disciplined practices); 22 types of Parishaha (endurance tests), 14 types of Abhyantara Granthi (inner knots/attachments); 27 types of Sādhu’s virtues, 9 types of Koti (categories of restraint); 28 types of Siddhi (supernatural powers/accomplishments), 8 types of Prabhāvaka (influencers/preachers); 29 types of Pāpaśruta (unholy scriptures); 7 types of Shuddhi (purity); 30 types of Mohaniya Bandhasthāna (causes for attachment karma); 6 types of inner enemies; 31 types of Siddha-guṇa (qualities of the liberated soul); 5 types of Jñāna (knowledge); 32 types of Jiva (living beings); 4 types of Upsarga (afflictions/obstructions); 32 types of Gaṇisampada (qualities of a leading monk); 4 types of Vinaya (respectful conduct); and finally, 36 virtues of the Guru themselves.

Language: The original text is in Prakrit, with a Sanskrit commentary by the author. The compilation and explanation ("Padarth Sangrah") are presented in Gujarati.

Key Takeaway: The book serves as an exhaustive guide to understanding and appreciating the multifaceted virtues of a Jain spiritual teacher, encouraging followers to cultivate deep reverence and devotion towards them as the pathway to spiritual progress and liberation.