Jain Agamo Me Yogadrushti - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Agamo me Yogadrushti" by Subhash Kothari, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Jain Agamo me Yogadrushti (Yoga Perspective in Jain Agamas) Author: Dr. Subhash Kothari

Core Argument: The book argues that Jain Agamas, far from being solely religious or theoretical, present a profound and practical approach to spiritual and personal development, which they term "Yoga." This "Yoga" is not just about meditation but encompasses a holistic system for the development of physical, mental, and intellectual faculties, ultimately leading to peace and liberation.

Key Themes and Concepts:

Agamas as a Source of Knowledge: The Agamas are presented as comprehensive texts containing not only doctrines and philosophy but also subjects like mathematics and astrology. Their importance lies in their ability to foster social and national unity and integrity by guiding individuals to develop their inherent strengths and intellect.
Yoga as the Means to Spiritual Development: The text emphasizes that the Agamas describe various means (sadhana) for developing one's power and intellect. At the core of this is Yoga, which is defined as the pursuit of concentration for meditation. This involves various postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama), which are as crucial as meditation itself for the development of the body, mind, and intellect.
Four Philosophies Related to Yoga: Citing the Acharya Sutra, the book identifies four main schools of thought related to Yoga:
1. Atmavadi (Soul-centric): Believes in knowing the soul.
2. Lokavadi (World-centric): Believes in understanding the reality of the world.
3. Karmavadi (Action-centric): Focuses on the principles of Karma.
4. Kriyavadi (Activity-centric): Emphasizes the importance of action. The text posits that understanding the soul leads to understanding the world and knowing what one should and should not do. This is termed "Parinnya" (discretion or discernment) in the Acharya Sutra.
Five Types of Yoga Identified in Agamas: Based on these philosophies, the author outlines five key types of Yoga discussed in the Jain Agamas:
1. Adhyatmik Yoga (Spiritual Yoga): This involves awakening the powers of the body and mind for self-realization. It's about developing spiritual strength through the cessation of sensory desires and mental fluctuations. Key aspects include knowledge, perception, conduct, and the contemplation of asceticism (tapas). The text highlights passages in Acharya Sutra, Sutrakritanga, and others that detail this.
2. Samata Yoga (Yoga of Equanimity): The foundational principle here is that "equanimity is religion" (Samivaye Dhamme). This yoga emphasizes seeing the entire world with equanimity, without attachment to the pleasant or unpleasant. It's considered an essential quality of the soul that enables control over mind, speech, and body. Practitioners strive to maintain a balanced state, recognizing that all beings desire life, which helps in shedding the four destructive karmas and purifying the body, mind, and speech.
3. Dhyana Yoga (Yoga of Meditation): This is presented as a ladder to liberation, focused on destroying karmas. The Agamas describe four types of meditation:
  - Arta Dhyana (Painful Meditation): Related to worldly suffering.
  - Raudra Dhyana (Fierce Meditation): Related to anger and violence.
  - Dharma Dhyana (Religious Meditation): Focused on righteous contemplation.
  - Shukla Dhyana (Pure Meditation): The highest form, leading to liberation. The text mentions that while Arta and Raudra Dhyana are associated with the cycle of birth and death, Dharma and Shukla Dhyana are the paths to liberation. It stresses the importance of unwavering concentration (samadhi) in meditation, day and night, and highlights the teachings on Mahavir's postures and meditation centers.
4. Bhava Yoga (Yoga of Contemplation/Meditation): This type of yoga involves contemplation and reflection on the true nature of reality. The Agamas advocate for thinking about the impermanence, helplessness, and the nature of the world (Anityanupeksha, Sharanaanupeksha, Sansaranupeksha). The "Twelve Bhavanas" (contemplations) are considered essential for developing detachment and inner strength. Key bhavanas include Maitri (friendliness), Pramod (joy in others' virtues), Karunya (compassion), and Madhyasthya (equanimity).
5. Parimarjan Yoga (Yoga of Purification): This focuses on purifying the body, mind, and speech to maintain health and remove ailments. The Agamas outline six scientific methods for this:
  - Controlling desires.
  - A spirit of surrender.
  - Pratikraman (repentance and self-correction).
  - Kayotsarga (body-abandonment/detachment).
  - Bhakti Bhavana (devotional feeling).
  - Pratyakhyana (renunciation). In addition to these, overcoming 22 types of hardships (parishahas), renouncing eight types of pride (madas), engaging in twelve types of austerities (tapas), considering life force (prana), and understanding dispositions (leshya) are also considered crucial. The text notes that various postures enhance life force, purify the aura, relieve physical and mental stress, improve thought processes, and eliminate mental instability.

Conclusion: The book concludes by asserting that the various perspectives on meditation and yoga presented in the Agamas are vital for seekers to gain a true understanding of life and its purpose. By integrating these yogic practices, individuals can achieve a balanced life and progress towards spiritual liberation.