Jain Dharmna Karm Siddhantnu Vigyan

This book, "Jain Dharmna Karm Siddhantnu Vigyan" (The Science of the Jain Doctrine of Karma) by Acharya Vijay Jayshekhar Surishwarji Maharaj, published by Shahpuri Jain Sangh Kolhapur, is a comprehensive exploration of the Jain philosophy of karma.

The book aims to explain the intricate science of karma within Jainism. It delves into various aspects, including:

• The Importance of Karma: Why karma is significant in Jainism.
• The Nature of Karma: What karma is and how it attaches to the soul.
• The Mechanisms of Karma: What causes karma to stick to the soul, and the concepts of 'yoga' (activity) and 'rasa' (essence) in relation to karma.
• Classifications of Karma: The primary and secondary types of karma, their functions, and their role in the soul's journey.
• The Fourteen Stages of Spiritual Development (Gunasthana): The book details the fourteen stages of spiritual progress and how different types of karma are bound, arise (udaya), or remain in potentiality (satta) at each stage. It also explains the causes for the binding of specific karmas.
• Karmic Modifications: Concepts like 'kshayopasham' (the partial destruction and modification of karma) and its different processes are explained. The book also covers the classifications of karma as 'ghati' (destructive) and 'aghati' (non-destructive), as well as 'pravartaman' (changeable) and 'apravartaman' (unchangeable).
• Tabular Representations: To aid understanding and memorization, the book includes tables illustrating the karmic states at different spiritual stages and the reach of specific karmas.
• Question and Answer Format: Certain explanations are presented in a question-and-answer format for clarity.
• Influence of Dravy-Kshetra-Kal-Bhav: The impact of substance, place, time, and passion on the manifestation and modification of karma is explained with examples.

In essence, the book provides a detailed overview of the science of karma, aiming to shed light on this fundamental aspect of Jain philosophy. The author emphasizes the necessity of a Guru's guidance for complete understanding.

The book is dedicated to the memory of Acharya Shri Himadvijay Surishwarji Maharaj. The publication was made possible by the financial contribution of the Shravika sisters of the Shahpuri Jain Sangh.

The later pages of the book go into extensive detail about the eight types of karmas (Jnanavarniya, Darshanavarniya, Mohaniya, Vedaniya, Ayushya, Namakarma, Gotra, Antaraya) and their numerous sub-categories (Uttar Prakriti), detailing their specific causes, effects, and the stages of spiritual development where their binding, manifestation, and cessation occur. It also explains the concepts of yogasthan, rasasthan, and the complex processes of karma modification. The book concludes with a discussion on the subtle workings of karma and the path to liberation.