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Jain Dharmamruta

Added to library: September 2, 2025

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First page of Jain Dharmamruta

Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Dharmamruta" by Hiralal Jain, based on the provided content:

Title: Jain Dharmamruta (The Nectar of Jain Dharma) Author: Pt. Hiralal Jain, Siddhantashastri ( scholar of Jain philosophy) Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith First Edition: 1960 Language: Hindi (compilation from Sanskrit texts)

Overview:

Jain Dharmamruta is a compilation of verses from various classical Jain Sanskrit texts, aiming to present the core tenets of Jainism in a simplified and accessible manner. The book is intended for those curious about Jainism who may not have the time or resources to study extensive original texts. The compiler, Pt. Hiralal Jain, has meticulously selected verses to cover the fundamental principles of Jain philosophy and practice. The book is structured into 14 chapters, each dealing with a significant aspect of Jainism.

Key Contents by Chapter (based on the provided Table of Contents):

  1. Chapter 1: The Nature of Dharma ( धर्मका स्वरूप - आत्मा और परमात्मा)

    • Explains the essence of Dharma.
    • Discusses the nature of the soul (Atma) and the Supreme Soul (Paramatma).
    • Introduces the concepts of Bahiratama (external soul), Antaratama (internal soul), and Paramatma (supreme soul), detailing their characteristics and the journey from one to the other.

  2. Chapter 2: Right Faith (सम्यग्दर्शन)

    • Defines the characteristics of Dharma.
    • Elaborates on the nature of Samyagdarshan (Right Faith) and its eight angas (limbs/qualities).
    • Details the twenty-five doshas (flaws/defects) that hinder Right Faith and the methods to avoid them.
    • Explains the different types of Samyagdarshan.
    • Describes the nature of the Panch Parmeshthis (five supreme beings).
    • Highlights the significance and merits of possessing Right Faith.

  3. Chapter 3: Right Knowledge (सम्यग्ज्ञान)

    • Explains the nature of Samyagjnan (Right Knowledge).
    • Discusses the different types of Right Knowledge.
    • Emphasizes the importance and greatness of acquiring Right Knowledge.

  4. Chapter 4: Right Conduct (सम्यक्चारित्र)

    • Explains the necessity of Samyakcharitra (Right Conduct).
    • Details its various types.
    • Defines violence (Himsa) and non-violence (Ahimsa).
    • Provides a detailed description of Desh Charitra (partial conduct, followed by householders).
    • Explains the nature of Samadhi Maran (peaceful death attained through spiritual practice).
    • Describes the eleven Pratimas (stages of spiritual progress for lay followers).

  5. Chapter 5: The Ascetic Dharma (अनगार धर्म - साधु संज्ञाएँ)

    • Explains the nature of Sakal Charitra (complete conduct, followed by ascetics) or Angar Dharma (the path of the homeless ascetic).
    • Discusses various specific designations and qualities of ascetics.

  6. Chapter 6: Stages of Spiritual Progress (गुणस्थान)

    • Details the fourteen Gunashthans (stages of spiritual evolution), which describe the progressive development of the soul's spiritual qualities.

  7. Chapter 7: The Soul (जीव तत्त्व)

    • Explains the nature of the Soul (Jiva Tattva) in detail, including its various classifications and characteristics.

  8. Chapter 8: The Non-Soul (अजीव तत्त्व)

    • Explains the nature of Non-Soul (Ajiva Tattva), detailing the five types: Pudgala (matter), Dharmastikaya (medium of motion), Adharmastikaya (medium of rest), Akash (space), and Kala (time).

  9. Chapter 9: Influx of Karma (आस्रव तत्त्व)

    • Explains the concept of Asrava, the influx of karmic particles into the soul due to actions driven by passions and senses.
    • Differentiates between the influx of Punya (meritorious) and Papa (demeritorious) karma.
    • Details the causes of influx for different types of karma (Jnanavarniya, Darshanavarniya, Vedaniya, Mohaniya, Ayushya, Nama, Gotra, Antaraya).

  10. Chapter 10: Bondage of Karma (वन्ध तत्त्व)

    • Explains Bandha, the bondage of karmic particles to the soul.
    • Discusses the four types of bondage: Prakriti Bandha (nature of karma), Sthiti Bandha (duration of karma), Anubhaga Bandha (intensity of karma's effect), and Pradesha Bandha (quantity of karma).
    • Categorizes karmic influences as Punya (meritorious) and Papa (demeritorious).

  11. Chapter 11: Cessation of Karma (संवर तत्त्व)

    • Explains Samvara, the cessation of the influx of new karma.
    • Details the five primary means to achieve Samvara: Gupti (control of mind, speech, and body), Samiti (carefulness in actions), Dharma (virtuous conduct), Anupreksha (meditation on profound truths), and Pariksha/Parishah-jaya (endurance of hardships).

  12. Chapter 12: Shedding of Karma (निर्जरा तत्त्व)

    • Explains Nirjara, the shedding of accumulated karma.
    • Differentiates between Vipaka-ja Nirjara (karma that naturally exhausts its effect) and Avipaka-ja Nirjara (karma that is shed prematurely through ascetic practices).
    • Details the types of Tapas (ascetic practices): six external (Vahya) and six internal (Abhyantara), totaling twelve types. These include fasting, controlled eating, celibacy, meditation, etc.

  13. Chapter 13: Liberation (मोक्ष निरूपण)

    • Explains Moksha, the state of complete liberation from all karmic bondage.
    • Describes the process of achieving liberation through the destruction of Ghatiya (knowledge-obscuring) and Aghatiya (non-knowledge-obscuring) karmas.
    • Defines the nature of the liberated soul (Siddha Paramesthi) with its infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy.

  14. Chapter 14: Towards the Supreme Self (परात्म-पदकी ओर)

    • Emphasizes the rarity and value of the human birth.
    • Provides guidance for self-reflection and spiritual upliftment.
    • Explains the secret of spiritual equanimity (Samadhi).
    • Outlines the path to becoming a Paramatma (Supreme Soul) from an Atma (soul).

Key Sources Used:

The introduction and the "Granth aur Granthkar Parichay" (Introduction to the Texts and Authors) section highlight the primary sources from which the verses were compiled. These include works by prominent Jain scholars such as:

  • Umaswati (Prashmarati Prakaran)
  • Samantabhadra (Ratnakardak Shravakachar)
  • Pujyapad (Samadhitantra, Ishtopadesh)
  • Gunabhadra (Atmanushasan)
  • Mahasena (Aptaswaroop)
  • Somadeva (Yashastilak Champu)
  • Amritachandra (Tatvarthasar, Purusharthasidhyupaya)
  • Amitagati (Panchasangraha, Amitagati Shravakachar)
  • Vadibhasimha (Kshatrachudamani)
  • Shubhachandra (Jnanarṇava)
  • Veeranandi (Acharasara)
  • Hemachandra (Yogashastra)
  • Ashadhara (Sagar Dharmamruta)
  • Vamdeva (Sanskrit Bhavasangraha)
  • Gunabhushana (Bhavyananchittavallabha Shravakachar)
  • Rajamalla (Panchadhyayi)
  • Kulabhadra (Sarasamuccaya)

Compiler's Aim:

Pt. Hiralal Jain's intention was to create a comprehensive yet concise resource that would illuminate the path of Jainism for a wider audience, including non-Jains, and provide guidance for further study through references at the end of each chapter. The emphasis is on clarity, simplicity, and presenting the essential principles that are fundamental for understanding the Jain way of life.