Jain Shastro Ki Asangat Bate

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Shastro ki Asangat Bate" by Vaccharaj Singhi, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Jain Shastro ki Asangat Bate (Inconsistent/Incongruous Matters in Jain Scriptures) Author: Vaccharaj Singhi Publisher: Buddhivadi Prakashan Publication Year: 1945

Overall Theme: This book is a critical examination of various aspects of Jain scriptures, particularly focusing on geographical, astronomical, mathematical, and behavioral principles presented within them. The author, Vaccharaj Singhi, argues that many of these teachings are inconsistent with observable reality, scientific understanding, and logical reasoning. He contends that blind adherence to scripture without critical evaluation is detrimental to societal progress and individual understanding. The book aims to stimulate rational thinking and encourage a re-evaluation of scriptural claims.

Key Arguments and Observations:

1. Purpose of the Book:

   • The book is a collection of articles initially published in the monthly journal "Tarun Jain" and later in the bulletin of the Terapanthi Youth Association.
   • The author's primary objective is not to attack Jain scriptures but to question the absolute acceptance of every statement within them, especially when they contradict empirical evidence and scientific knowledge.
   • He criticizes the notion that questioning scripture is equivalent to atheism or treason, advocating for a rational approach to religious texts.
   • The author highlights the negative impact of certain scriptural interpretations that discourage philanthropic activities like helping the needy, caring for the sick, and promoting education, deeming them as "sinful" for householders. He believes this discourages societal well-being.

2. Critique of Geographical and Astronomical Descriptions:

   • Earth's Shape and Size: Singhi challenges the scriptural depiction of a flat earth, contrasting it with the scientifically established spherical nature of the planet. He uses modern measurements of Earth's diameter and circumference to highlight the vast discrepancy with scriptural measurements of Jambu Dvipa, which are described as vast, flat landmasses.
   • Cosmic Distances and Scales: The book meticulously details scriptural accounts of the immense sizes of islands and oceans in the Jain cosmology, noting the exponential increase in scale. He contrasts these "countless" islands and oceans with the actual size of Earth and its known continents and water bodies, pointing out the impossibility of fitting such vastness within our planet.
   • Celestial Bodies and Their Movements:
     • Two Suns/Moons: Singhi questions the scriptural assertion of multiple suns and moons in Jambu Dvipa, arguing that contemporary observation confirms only one sun and one moon.
     • Solar and Lunar Motion: He critiques the scriptural calculations of the speed of the sun and moon, presenting modern scientific data that shows a significant difference.
     • Eclipses and Celestial Cycles: The author challenges the scriptural explanations for eclipses, particularly the concept of Rahu dev, and disputes the stated minimum and maximum intervals between eclipses, providing historical and astronomical data to the contrary.
     • Day and Night Variations: He points out the scriptural description of day and night lengths (e.g., 18 Muhurtas) as inconsistent with the reality of polar regions experiencing months of daylight and darkness, and varying lengths of day and night across different latitudes.
     • Sun's Appearance: The author questions the scriptural description of the sun appearing from a great distance (millions of miles) at sunrise, contrasting it with observable phenomena where the sun appears much closer.
   • Planetary Descriptions: The book provides detailed comparisons of scriptural descriptions of planets (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune, Pluto) with modern scientific understanding. He highlights discrepancies in the number of planets, their characteristics, their movements, and their distances from the sun. He notes the scriptural lack of detail about planetary characteristics like rings around Saturn or the phases of Venus and Mercury, which are known through telescopes.
   • Jambudvipa's Structure: Singhi critically analyzes the calculation of Jambu Dvipa's circumference based on its diameter as described in scriptures, showing it to be mathematically incorrect according to modern geometry.

3. Critique of Mathematical Calculations:

   • Circumference and Area: The author demonstrates significant mathematical errors in the scriptural calculations of areas and circumferences of celestial bodies and landmasses, particularly the Jambu Dvipa. He contrasts the scriptural figures with calculations based on standard mathematical formulas (pi * diameter for circumference, etc.).
   • Measurement Units: He questions the vastness of scriptural measurement units (Yojanas) and their conversions, noting that even applying the most generous conversion factors does not reconcile the scriptural scales with reality.
   • Time Measurement: The book critiques the scriptural system of measuring time (e.g., breath-based measurements for time units like Aavalika, Shwasoshwas) as being inaccurate and inconsistent with biological realities and modern scientific understanding.
   • Unrealistic Numbers: Singhi highlights the use of extremely large, seemingly fabricated numbers for quantities like the number of steps in scriptures (e.g., in the context of the fourteen Purvas) and the ink required to write them, questioning their plausibility.

4. Critique of Behavioral and Philosophical Principles:

   • Discouragement of Philanthropy: A major point of criticism is directed at scriptural interpretations that portray philanthropic acts by householders (helping the poor, sick, promoting education) as sinful or detrimental to spiritual progress. The author argues this discourages societal contribution and well-being.
   • Inconsistent Interpretations: The book illustrates how different Jain sects (Svetambara, Digambara, Terapanthi, Sthanakvasi) interpret the same scriptures differently, leading to contradictory doctrines on crucial matters like the permissibility of helping the needy or the nature of idolatry. This highlights the ambiguity and potential for misinterpretation in the texts.
   • The Problem of "Lop" (Loss of Scripture): Singhi addresses the common explanation given by scriptural proponents that certain accurate accounts are "lost" or "missing" from current texts. He argues that if such important information was indeed lost, it raises questions about the completeness and reliability of the surviving scriptures. He also points out that useful information, like the descriptions of vast celestial bodies, is preserved while practical knowledge might be claimed as lost.
   • Contradictory Statements: The author provides examples of internal contradictions within Jain scriptures, where the same subject is treated differently, sometimes even oppositely, in different texts or even within the same text. This undermines the claim of absolute scriptural infallibility.
   • Misuse of "Vigorous" Language: Singhi notes that while some scriptural passages use strong language to discourage certain actions or beliefs (like questioning scripture), this is often a means to control thought rather than encourage genuine understanding.
   • The Concept of "Shastra" (Scripture): The book draws upon definitions of "Shastra" from respected scholars and the author's own understanding, emphasizing that true scripture should be logical, consistent with reality, and beneficial to all. Texts that fail these criteria are deemed "Kushastra" (bad scripture).

5. Call for Reform and Critical Thinking:

   • Singhi urges readers and Jain scholars to engage in critical analysis of scriptures rather than blind faith.
   • He advocates for a reformist approach where demonstrably false or detrimental passages are re-evaluated or removed to preserve the core beneficial teachings of Jainism.
   • The author expresses hope that his work will inspire a movement towards rational inquiry and a more progressive understanding of Jainism, emphasizing that true spirituality lies in rational inquiry and ethical conduct, not blind adherence to potentially flawed texts.

Conclusion: "Jain Shastro ki Asangat Bate" is a pioneering work of critical textual analysis within the Jain tradition. Vaccharaj Singhi's detailed and reasoned critique of scriptural claims, particularly in the realms of cosmology, mathematics, and ethics, challenges the notion of absolute scriptural infallibility. The book serves as a powerful argument for the integration of reason and empirical evidence into religious understanding, advocating for a reformed Jainism that is both spiritually uplifting and intellectually sound.