Jagna Hai To Abhi Jago

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Jagna hai to abhi Jago" by Sadhvi Rajimatishreeji:

Book Title: Jagna hai to abhi Jago (If you want to awaken, awaken now) Author: Sadhvi Rajimatishreeji Publisher: Z_Mohanlal_Banthiya_Smruti_Granth_012059.pdf

Overall Theme: The text emphasizes the critical importance of awakening in one's life, not just physically, but spiritually and consciously. It contrasts the state of being asleep (in ignorance, attachment, and inertia) with the state of being awake (in awareness, wisdom, and purposeful action). The author uses various analogies and anecdotes to illustrate the benefits of awakening and the consequences of remaining asleep.

Key Points:

• The Nature of Sleep and Awakening: The text begins by stating that whether one awakens or remains asleep is a matter of destiny. It highlights the futility of being woken up if one is not receptive to being awakened. This applies to individuals who are repeatedly urged towards spiritual growth but remain indifferent.
• The Allure of Sleep: The author explains that sleep offers a sense of comfort and a lack of effort, where tasks seem to happen on their own without fatigue or pain. This is likened to the thief stealing while the owner sleeps, a metaphor for being unaware of one's own spiritual or material losses due to ignorance or negligence.
• The Incompleteness of Superficial Journeys: The anecdote of the running man who deflects questions about his destination illustrates how many people in the world are engaged in activities without a clear purpose or understanding of their own journey. This leads to an incomplete life path. Even those who embark on a path of awakening can falter if they forget their resolve.
• The Farmer's Dilemma: The story of the farmer who is forced to choose between a hundred lashes or a hundred onions highlights the human tendency to avoid immediate pain (the lashes) by choosing something that appears easier (the onions), only to find that the chosen path also leads to suffering. Ultimately, he ends up experiencing both. This symbolizes how people often try to avoid one form of spiritual or moral discipline only to fall prey to other forms of suffering due to their continued ignorance.
• The Influence of Society: The text points out that many people are unaware of their own slumber and the methods for awakening because they simply follow the patterns of those around them. If awakened individuals formed a distinct society, there would be a clear distinction, but instead, people tend to blend in with the general populace.
• The Duality of Awakening: Awakening itself can be positive or negative. One can awaken towards wealth, attachment (raag), or the self, or towards knowledge, detachment (veetaraag), or others. True awakening, as described, is what brings a sense of exhilaration and inner fulfillment.
• The Problem of Misdirected Awakening: The author warns against those who claim to awaken others but are themselves on a path contrary to true awakening. They fail to awaken themselves and, consequently, cannot awaken others effectively. The story of the employer who wakes up his servant at 4 AM but immediately falls back asleep illustrates how a lack of internal resolve and consistency prevents true awakening and leads to missed opportunities and failures.
• The Necessity of Awakening for Life's Utility: To realize the true potential and utility of life, one must awaken. Awakening is synonymous with change. Just as a lit lamp dispels darkness, an awakened life is not surrounded by vices, illusions, negligence, attachment, or ignorance.
• Returning Home: Awakening means returning to one's true home, a place of happiness, peace, and inner stillness (Samadhi).
• The Self-Inquiry of the Awakened: An awakened individual constantly asks: "What have I done? What remains to be done? Is there anything I cannot do?" The desire to answer these questions is the essence of awakening.
• Principles for an Awakened Life: The text provides practical guidelines for living an awakened life:
  • Keep the mind engaged in constructive thinking.
  • Complete today's work today.
  • Do not worry about past unfinished tasks or future plans.
  • Eat meals with a relaxed mind.
  • Resolve issues promptly, do not prolong complications.
  • Maintain good posture.
  • Dedicate time daily to silence, meditation, and self-study (Swadhyaya).
  • Refrain from actions that might offend others.
  • Perform self-reflection before sleeping at night.
• The Lord's Wisdom on Sleep vs. Awakening: When asked whether sleeping or waking is better, the Lord's answer is that waking is good for those who perform virtuous deeds when awake, but remaining asleep is better for those who engage in eighteen types of sinful activities when awake.
• Awakening from Ignorance and Sin: The call is to awaken from one's ignorance, negligence, and the eighteen types of sinful violence. It's about becoming vigilant towards one's goals and developing discernment between what should and should not be done.
• The Light of Awakening: The awakened person sees only light, and light is another name for life.
• Knowing Time is Knowing the Self: The text concludes with the profound statement that knowing time is knowing the self, and knowing the self means knowing everything ("Je egam jaana-i te savvam jaana-i"). The journey to know the self should begin immediately, without delay, as this very moment is the time to awaken.

In essence, "Jagna hai to abhi Jago" is a powerful call to conscious living, urging readers to shed the slumber of ignorance and engage actively and wisely in their spiritual and worldly journeys, leading to a life of purpose, peace, and fulfillment.