Jain Darshan Me Mukti Swaroop Aur Prakriya - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Jain Darshan me Mukti Swaroop aur Prakriya" by Gyan Muni:

Book Title: Jain Darshan me Mukti Swaroop aur Prakriya (The Nature and Process of Liberation in Jain Philosophy) Author: Gyan Muni (Janbhushan) Publisher: Z_Pushkarmuni_Abhinandan_Granth_012012.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/210982/1

This text delves into the concept of Moksha (liberation) within Jain philosophy, exploring its meaning, synonyms, the process of its attainment, and its ultimate nature, while also contrasting it with other Indian philosophical perspectives.

Meaning of Mukti (Liberation):

Etymology: Derived from the root "muc" (mochanam muktiḥ), meaning to be freed from the coverings of karma, to escape the cycle of birth and death, and to reside in one's true, blissful self.
Various Interpretations: The text presents different interpretations of liberation from various philosophical schools:
- Jainism: The complete destruction of all eight types of karma (four ghāti – destructive, and four aghati – non-destructive).
- Vedanta: The soul's merging into Brahman.
- Lexicons: Terms like "moksha," "release from birth-death," "freedom," "independence," and the abode of liberated souls.
Specific Jain Quotes:
- Viveka (discrimination) is moksha.
- Moksha is the renunciation of all beginnings and possessions, equanimity towards all beings, and concentrated meditation.
- The complete destruction of karma is moksha.
Other Philosophical Views:
- Shaiva Gita: Destruction of the knot of ignorance in the heart.
- Vedanta: Merging of the soul into Brahman.
- Yoga Vasishtha: Renouncing the desire for enjoyment.
- Sankhya: Separation of Purusha (soul) from Prakriti (matter).
- Buddhism: Freedom of the mind from passions like attachment and aversion.
- Haribhadra Suri: Freedom from passions (kashayas) is liberation, not adherence to any sect or doctrine.
- Wise Men: The complete destruction of desires in the heart.

Synonyms for Mukti:

The Jain Agamas list twelve names for liberation, including Ishat, Ishat Pragbhara, Tanu, Siddhi, Siddhalaya, Muktalaya, Lokagra, and Sarva Prana-bhuta-jiv-sattva-sukhavaha.

The Process of Attaining Liberation:

Jainism outlines a gradual process leading to liberation, culminating in the highest spiritual stages (gunasthanas):

Rati-Traya (Three Jewels): Liberation is achieved through the rigorous practice of Samyakdarshan (Right Faith/Belief), Samyagjnana (Right Knowledge), and Samyakcharitra (Right Conduct).
Destruction of Ghāti Karmas: As the soul progresses through the spiritual stages, the four ghāti karmas (Jnānāvaraṇīya, Darshanāvaraṇīya, Mohaṇīya, and Antarāya) are progressively destroyed.
- Mohaniya Karma (delusion-inducing) is destroyed first, leading to the immediate cessation of the other three ghāti karmas.
Attainment of Infinite Qualities: Upon the destruction of ghāti karmas, the soul manifests infinite knowledge (Kevalajnana), infinite perception (Kevaladarshana), infinite conduct (Charitra), and infinite energy (Virya).
Cessation of Yogic Activity: In the 13th stage, there is still activity of mind, speech, and body. Upon entering the 14th stage, this yogic activity ceases.
Destruction of Aghati Karmas: In the 14th stage, the remaining four aghati karmas (Vedaniya, Nama, Gotra, and Ayushya) are also destroyed, rendering the soul completely free from karma (nishkarma).
Leaving the Body: The freed soul's spiritual essence (atmapradeshas) departs from the physical body.
Manner of Departure: The Sthananga Sutra describes how the direction from which the soul's essence departs determines its next destination:
- From the feet: leads to hell.
- From the knees: leads to the animal realm.
- From the chest: leads to human birth.
- From the head: leads to the celestial realms.
- From all limbs simultaneously: leads to the Siddha state (liberation).

Comparison with Other Indian Philosophies:

The text briefly contrasts Jain liberation with other systems:

Buddhism: Breaking the cycle of rebirth, understanding suffering, impermanence, and emptiness.
Nyaya/Vaisheshika: Destruction of suffering through knowledge of 16 tattvas (principles).
Sankhya/Yoga: Discrimination between Purusha and Prakriti.
Mimamsa: Does not recognize true liberation, only heavenly rewards from rituals.
Vedanta: Realizing the oneness of the individual soul and the Supreme Soul.
Nastika (Materialist) Philosophies: Do not accept the concept of liberation.

The Nature of Liberation:

Freedom from Karma: Liberation is the complete absence of bondage and its causes, and the ultimate destruction of all accumulated karma.
Ascent to the Apex of the Universe: Freed souls, free from subtle and gross bodies, ascend upwards like smoke from fire, residing at the apex of the universe (Lokagra). They do not enter the non-physical realm (Alokakasha) due to the absence of the principle of motion (Dharmastikaya).
Eternality of Liberation: The text addresses the argument of whether liberation is created or eternal. Jainism states that liberation itself is not created but is the unveiling of the soul's inherent, eternal nature. The soul's true form, with infinite knowledge and bliss, is always present but obscured by karma. Spiritual practices remove these obscurations, revealing the true self. This unveiling is what is termed liberation.
Soul-Karma Relationship: The relationship between the soul and karma is anadi (beginningless). However, this is in terms of the continuous flow of karma, not a single, inseparable karma. Karma binds and then exhausts itself, while new karma continues to flow in. Spiritual practices like Samvara (stopping the influx of new karma) and Tapas (austere practices to destroy existing karma) break this flow. The analogy of gold being impure when extracted from the mine but purified by fire is used.

The Realm of Liberation (Siddhashila):

Location: The abode of liberated souls is at the apex of the universe (Lokagra).
Description of Siddhashila: This is described as a pure, white, smooth, and radiant platform made of white gold. It is 4.5 million yojanas long and equally wide. Its shape is like an inverted umbrella, becoming progressively thinner towards the edges.
Coexistence of Souls: Innumerable liberated souls reside in a single point of space without hindrance, like thousands of medicines dissolving in a drop of arka on a needle's point.

Qualities of the Siddha State:

The Siddhagati (state of liberation) is described by seven attributes:

Shiva (Auspicious/Blissful): Free from all suffering and filled with eternal bliss.
Achala (Immovable): Free from both natural and induced motion.
Aruja (Disease-free): Free from physical and mental ailments, as souls are formless and free from karmic passions.
Ananta (Infinite): Refers to the infinite knowledge and perception of the liberated soul, and the eternal existence of the Siddha state.
Akshaya (Indestructible): The liberated soul's essence and qualities are never diminished.
Avyabadha (Unobstructed/Free from Suffering): Liberated souls experience no distress and do not cause suffering to others.
Apunaavrutti (Non-returning): Once attained, the liberated soul never returns to the cycle of birth and death.

Synonyms for Siddhas:

Liberated souls are also called Buddhas (enlightened), Paragata (crossed over), Paramparagata (achieved through tradition), Unmukta Karmakavacha (free from karmic armor), Ajar (ageless), Amar (immortal), and Asanga (unattached).

The Bliss of the Siddhas:

The bliss experienced by liberated souls is described as immeasurable and far beyond any worldly or even celestial happiness. Even an infinite portion of a liberated soul's bliss would not be comparable to the happiness of deities.

The Footpaths to the Temple of Liberation (15 Stages):

The text outlines fifteen essential steps or "footpaths" required to reach the state of liberation:

Jangamatva (Becoming mobile/sentient): Progressing from stationary life-forms (like plants) to mobile ones (like insects and animals).
Panch-indriyatva (Possessing five senses): Attaining the full capacity of all five senses.
Manushyatva (Human birth): Being born as a human being.
Aryatva (Living in a virtuous land): Being born in a land where the principles of non-violence, restraint, and austerity are practiced.
Uttam Kul (Noble family): Being born into a family with good religious traditions.
Uttam Jati (Noble lineage): Being born from a pure and spiritually inclined mother.
Roop-Samriddhi (Physical completeness): Having perfect and functional senses and body.
Bal (Strength): Possessing physical and mental strength to undertake spiritual practices.
Jivit (Long life): Having a sufficient lifespan to engage in spiritual practices.
Vigyan (Knowledge): Acquiring right knowledge about the nature of reality (soul, non-soul, etc.).
Samyaktva (Right Faith): Developing true faith and conviction in Jain principles.
Sheel Samprapti (Attainment of virtuous conduct): Practicing ethical behavior and vows.
Kshayika Bhav (Karmic Destruction states): Achieving the states resulting from the destruction of ghāti karmas (like Kevala Jnana, Kevala Darshana).
Kevalajnana (Omniscience): Attaining complete and perfect knowledge of all things.
Moksha (Liberation): The ultimate cessation of all karma.

The Beginning and End of Liberation:

Jainism, through the principle of anekanta (non-absolutism), states that liberation is both sadi (with a beginning) and anadi (beginningless). It is sadi from the perspective of an individual soul achieving it for the first time, and anadi in the sense that liberation has always existed, and souls have been continuously attaining it throughout time.

Conclusion:

Jain philosophy presents a nuanced view of liberation, emphasizing the removal of karmic coverings to reveal the soul's inherent, eternal, and blissful nature. Liberation is attainable by anyone, regardless of caste, creed, or nationality, provided they cultivate the virtues of non-violence, restraint, and austerity. Liberated souls reside eternally in their pure state, having no intervention in the world's affairs.