Jain Cosmology Sarvagna Kathit Vishva Vyavastha - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Cosmology Sarvagna Kathit Vishva Vyavastha" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Jain Cosmology Sarvagna Kathit Vishva Vyavastha (Jain Cosmology: The Universe Order as Declared by the Omniscient) Author: Charitraratnavijay Publisher: Jingun Aradhak Trust

Overview:

This book, "Jain Cosmology Sarvagna Kathit Vishva Vyavastha," is presented as an illustrated guide to Jain cosmology, aiming to provide a comprehensive and accessible understanding of the universe as described by the omniscient beings (Sarvajna) in Jainism. It is authored by Charitraratnavijay and published by Jingun Aradhak Trust. The book is dedicated to and inspired by various esteemed Jain Acharyas.

Core Concepts of Jain Cosmology as Presented:

The text emphasizes the profound nature of Jain philosophy, particularly its "Tattva-jnana" (knowledge of principles or reality). This knowledge is described as that which:

Differentiates the essential from the non-essential (Sar & Asar): It helps distinguish what is true and eternal from what is fleeting and impermanent.
Guides towards what to discard and what to adopt (Heay & Upadey): It provides the wisdom to discern between actions and beliefs that lead to suffering and those that lead to liberation.
Explains the difference between the body and the soul (Deh & Atma): It clarifies the distinction between the physical form and the eternal, conscious soul.
Inspires progress and enlightenment: It guides life towards higher realms of existence and illuminates life with positivity.
Teaches the art of living: It imparts the skills to live a meaningful and purposeful life.
Promotes non-violence (Ahimsa): It makes life peaceful and compassionate.
Brings peace in this life and liberation in the afterlife: It offers spiritual solace in the present world and leads to ultimate liberation (Moksha).
Leads to spiritual well-being: It guides the soul towards its ultimate welfare and prevents downfall into lower realms of existence.
Fills life with devotion and transforms death into a celebration: It imbues life with spiritual purpose and elevates the experience of death.
Is a treasure of supreme virtues: It is the abode of unparalleled virtues and helps in controlling sensory desires.
Removes the mire of passions (Kashaya): It dries up the mud of anger, pride, deceit, and greed.
Grants pure intellect: It leads to utmost purity of understanding.
Serves as a great ideal for the world: It sets a lofty example for all.
Generates supreme faith: It cultivates unwavering belief in the ultimate reality.
Is transmitted through generations of lineage (Purv Suri): It has been passed down through revered Acharyas.
Remains until the end of the current era (Panchama Aara): Its teachings are enduring.
Creates pure results: It fosters pure and wholesome outcomes in every moment.
Instills compassion for refugees: It makes one loving towards those who seek refuge.
Reveals the form of pure consciousness: It shows the nature of the soul as pure, conscious, and blissful.
Acts as a charioteer for the Jain vehicle of liberation: It guides the soul's journey towards Moksha.
Is like water in the river of virtues: It nourishes and sustains good qualities.
Is like a diamond cutting through the mountain of ego: It helps overcome pride and self-importance.
Explains the essence of all scriptures: It provides the core understanding of all religious texts.
Is established by the omniscient Tirthankaras: It originates from the teachings of the enlightened ones.
Is compiled by Ganadharas (disciples): It is structured by the disciples who possessed the twelvefold knowledge.
Is auspicious and beneficial: It is beneficial, auspicious, and conducive to spiritual progress.
Facilitates the realization of equanimity, peace, and tolerance: It leads to inner balance and stability.
Keeps one detached even while living in the world: It teaches detachment amidst worldly life.
Is the best knowledge in the current era: It is considered the supreme knowledge for the present times.
Is the pole star in the constellation of Jainism: It guides the path within the framework of Jain teachings.
Motivates adherence to the five great vows (Panch Achar): It encourages the practice of five essential ethical principles.
Ensures complete loyalty to Jainism: It fosters unwavering devotion to the faith.
Is like a lion to those who stray from the right path: It acts as a corrective force against wrong ideologies.
Uproots false paths and establishes the true path: It guides individuals from deviation towards the righteous way.
Is like a physician for those afflicted by karma: It offers a cure for the karmic afflictions of the soul.
Bestows the highest form of death (Pandit Maran): It leads to a conscious and virtuous passing.
Is adorned with the jewels of right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct: It embodies the three jewels of Jainism.
Promotes protection of all life forms: It encourages dedication to the welfare of all living beings.
Inspires sharing of dharma through sermons: It motivates the dissemination of righteous teachings.
Enchants the minds of beings with gentleness: It brings delight and peace to the heart.
Is like rain in the drought of worldly existence: It provides solace and nourishment in times of hardship.
Is like a canal for the river of well-being: It channels the flow of spiritual prosperity.
Encourages the acquisition of unparalleled virtues: It inspires the accumulation of rare and excellent qualities.
Ensures adherence to ten types of conduct (Chaturdharma): It guides the practice of ten significant conduct principles.
Keeps one absorbed in pure contemplation: It fosters deep spiritual meditation.
Teaches the control of the five senses: It helps in mastering the senses.
Reminds of the Five Supreme Beings with every breath: It keeps the focus on the ultimate saviors.
Explains the distinctions of eighty types of actions: It clarifies the nature of eighty categories of actions.
Explains the distinctions of seven types of conduct: It details seven types of righteous behavior.
Is dear to the virtuous: It is cherished by those with good qualities.
Is the ornament of the earth and the glory of the reign: It beautifies the world and the spiritual kingdom.
Facilitates movement like air on earth: It helps one move freely and unhindered.
Carries the chariot of eighteen elements (Shila-anga): It aids in understanding eighteen fundamental categories.
Is like a swan in the lake of Jain spiritual wealth: It highlights the purity and grace of Jainism.
Causes the abandonment of all heedless activities: It encourages mindful living.
Is the sole abode of groups of virtues: It is the dwelling place of all noble qualities.
Prevents unskillful mental, verbal, and physical actions: It stops harmful activities.
Propagates the principles of the omniscient: It spreads the doctrines of the omniscient.
Inspires contemplation of twelve types of auspicious thoughts: It fosters positive and spiritual thinking.
Reveals the essence of the teachings of the Jinas: It explains the profound meaning of the Tirthankaras' words.
Keeps one immersed in the fivefold daily spiritual practice: It encourages regular devotion and study.
Propagates Jainism in the right way: It promotes correct understanding and practice of Jainism.
Causes renunciation of attachment to worldly life: It helps in letting go of worldly possessions and desires.
Brings immense happiness to the heart: It grants inner joy and contentment.
Embraces vows of various kinds: It inspires the adoption of specific spiritual disciplines.
Immerses thousands of followers in devotion: It draws millions of followers to devotional practices.
Makes one skillful in guiding and restraining: It teaches the ability to guide and restrain actions.
Leads to friendship with benevolent companions: It promotes good company.
Creates equanimity in honor and dishonor: It fosters a balanced approach to respect and disrespect.
Makes one an expert in both self and others' scriptures: It grants mastery over one's own and others' spiritual texts.
Instills a stable focus on all subjects: It brings steadiness of mind in all matters.
Makes one steadfast in responsibilities: It ensures dedication to one's duties.
Is a treasure of specialized intelligence for explaining truths: It is a source of deep wisdom for understanding principles.
Fosters affection towards the community and the doctrine: It cultivates love for the faith and its followers.
Seats one on the throne of asceticism: It elevates one to the highest spiritual state of self-control.
Urges the abandonment of all heedlessness: It promotes vigilance and mindfulness.
Makes one tolerant like the Earth: It cultivates the virtue of patience and endurance.
Makes one speak beneficial, measured, sweet, and clear words: It refines speech.

Structure and Content:

The book is a comprehensive compilation of Jain cosmological concepts, covering:

Lok Varnan (Description of the Worlds): This section details the three realms of the universe:
- Adholok (Lower Worlds): Describing the seven hells and the beings residing there, along with the structure of the lower realms.
- Madhyalok (Middle World): This extensive section details the arrangement of numerous islands and oceans, the Jambu Dvipa with its central Mount Meru, the surrounding Lava-ocean, Dhataki Khand, and Pushkaravar islands and oceans, along with their respective mountains, rivers, cities, and beings (including the 32 Vidyadhar cities, 108 temples on Mount Meru, and the complex descriptions of planetary movements).
- Urdhvalok (Upper Worlds): This describes the celestial realms, including the 12 Devlokas (heavenly abodes), 9 Graiveyak, and 5 Anuttara Vimanas (highest celestial regions), and the beings residing in them.
Prakirnak (Miscellaneous): This section covers various other important topics like the six types of life-forms (Shad Jivnikaya), the classification of souls, the concept of soul-body (pinda), the five senses, the 14 Gunasthanas (stages of spiritual development), karmic principles, the cycles of time (Avsarpini and Utsarpini), and various ascetic practices (Tapas).
Jannva Jevi Bhumika (Information to Know): This section appears to be a comparative study, presenting the cosmological views of Jainism alongside those of Buddhism, Vedic traditions, Puranic literature (like Agni Purana, Vishnu Purana, Bhagavat Purana), Yoga Shastra, and even modern science. It aims to highlight the scientific validity and uniqueness of Jain cosmology by contrasting it with other perspectives, often challenging conventional scientific notions about the Earth's shape and motion.
Parishisht (Appendices): The book includes appendices containing lists of scriptural references, praised Acharyas, the 108 qualities of the Panch Parmeshthis, and detailed descriptions of various mountains, rivers, and celestial entities.

Key Features:

Illustrated: The book is rich with illustrations, diagrams, and pictures, making the complex cosmological concepts more understandable and visually engaging. The index indicates over 200 illustrations for the 108 topics.
Scholarly Foundation: It is based on approximately 150 Jain Agamas and Prakaran Granthas, along with references from non-Jain scriptures and scientific texts, indicating extensive research.
Accessible Language: Despite the complexity of the subject matter, the book aims to present the information in a clear and simple language, making it suitable for a wide audience.
Focus on Spiritual Guidance: Beyond mere description, the cosmology is presented as a means to understand the path to liberation, promoting virtues, detachment, and spiritual progress.
Emphasis on the Omniscient's Teachings: The title itself highlights that the information comes directly from the omniscient Tirthankaras, underscoring its authority and truth.

In essence, "Jain Cosmology Sarvagna Kathit Vishva Vyavastha" is a monumental work that seeks to demystify the vast and intricate Jain understanding of the universe, presenting it in an illustrated, detailed, and accessible manner, emphasizing its philosophical depth and practical guidance for spiritual upliftment.