Jain Parampara Ma Paricharna Bhed Vichar - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text "Jain Parampara ma Paricharna Bhed Vichar" by Nagin J. Shah:

This text, "Jain Parampara ma Paricharna Bhed Vichar" (Classification of Modes of Enjoyment in Jain Tradition - A Comparative Study) by Nagin J. Shah, explores the concept of "Paricharna" within the Jain tradition.

The author begins by stating that the word "Paricharna" in Jain scriptures is used to refer to the act of sexual intercourse. This usage is also found in the Upanishads, where two examples are cited:

Kathopanishad 1.2: Yama tells Nachiketa that beautiful celestial damsels are not easily obtainable by humans and that he should enjoy them to achieve complete satisfaction, rather than seeking death.
Chandogya Upanishad (4.4): When Satyakama asks his mother about his lineage, she replies that she doesn't know his gotra because she had him when she was young and wandering, serving as a "paricharani" (a term used here to imply sexual service).

The text also notes that the term "Paricharna" is used in this sense within the Buddhist tradition.

The core of the discussion revolves around the five types of Paricharna as described in the 34th section (chapter) of the Panna Sutta:

Manahparicharna (Mental Enjoyment): In this form, the entire act of sexual intercourse is completed and full satisfaction is achieved through mere desire or intention alone. This type of Paricharna is found in the deities of the Ānant, Prāṇat, Āraṇ, Achyut, and Kalpagata realms.
Rūpaparicharna (Visual Enjoyment): Here, sexual intercourse is completed and full satisfaction is experienced through a mere look or gaze with desire. This type of Paricharna is found in the deities of Brahmaloka and Lokāntika Kalpa realms.
Shabdaparicharna (Auditory Enjoyment): In this case, sexual intercourse is completed and complete satisfaction is felt through the mere hearing of sounds. This type of Paricharna is found in the deities of Mahāśukra and Sahasrara realms.
Sparshaparicharna (Tactile Enjoyment): This involves the completion of sexual intercourse and the attainment of satisfaction through mere touch of hands, etc. This type of Paricharna is found in the deities of Sanatkumāra and Mahendra Kalpa realms.
Kāyaparicharna (Physical Enjoyment): This is the most physical form where divine couples (Deva-Devi mithuna) engage in sexual intercourse through friction, thus completing the act. This type of Paricharna is found in the deities of Saudharma and Īśāna realms.

The author then draws a comparison between these five Jain Paricharnas and the six Siddhis (accomplishments) described in the Sāṅkhya tradition, specifically in the Yuktidīpikā commentary on Sāṅkhyakārikā 39. These Sāṅkhya Siddhis, related to different stages of creation and the diminishing quality of Sattva guna, are:

Saṅkalpasiddhi (Accomplishment of Intention): In the initial stages of creation, when Sattva guna is predominant in beings, they achieve complete pleasure through mere intention without physical union. This aligns with Manahparicharna.
Dṛṣṭisiddhi (Accomplishment of Vision): As Sattva guna slightly diminishes, beings cannot achieve pleasure through intention alone. Their intercourse is completed through a desirous gaze. This is also observed in some animals today (e.g., a female deer conceiving by looking at a male deer). This aligns with Rūpaparicharna.
Vāksiddhi (Accomplishment of Speech): With further weakening of Sattva guna, beings cannot achieve the first two accomplishments. Their intercourse is completed by hearing the voice of a beloved. This is also seen in conch shells conceiving through sound. The enjoyment humans experience through sweet conversations with loved ones is a remnant of this. This aligns with Shabda paricharna.
Hastasiddhi (Accomplishment of Hand) and Āśliṣasiddhi (Accomplishment of Embrace): With even more weakening of Sattva guna, beings cannot achieve the first three accomplishments. They attain complete pleasure through touch alone (Hastasiddhi) or through embrace (Āśliṣasiddhi). The pleasure derived from the touch of a loved one's hand today is a remnant of this. These two align with Sparsha paricharna.
Dvandvasiddhi (Accomplishment of Pair/Friction): In the sixth stage, the Sattva quality further diminishes, making physical friction necessary for complete sexual pleasure and intercourse. This aligns with Kāya paricharna.

The key distinction highlighted is that the Jain concept of Paricharna is specifically applied to deities, whereas the Sāṅkhya Siddhis are presented as applicable to all beings across different stages of creation.

Finally, the text supports the idea of five modes of intercourse being completed in heavenly beings by referencing a verse from the Mahabharata (15.38.21), which states that heavenly beings procreate through intention, speech, vision, touch, and friction, thus enumerating five methods.