Jain Shikshavali Tapni Mahatta

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Shikshavali: Tapni Mahatta" by Dhirajlal Tokarshi Shah:

Book Title: Jain Shikshavali: Tapni Mahatta (Jain Educational Series: The Significance of Austerities) Author: Dhirajlal Tokarshi Shah Publisher: Jain Sahitya Prakashan Mandir, Mumbai Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/022923/1

This book, the eighth in the first series of the Jain Shikshavali, focuses on the profound importance and multifaceted aspects of Tapa (austerities or asceticism) within Jainism. The author, Pt. Shridas Lal Tokarshi Shah, presents Jain philosophy and conduct in a simple and clear style, making it accessible to a broad audience.

Key Themes and Content:

The book systematically explores the significance of Tapa through various chapters:

1. The Necessity of Tapa in Religious Practice:

   • The text establishes Ahimsa (non-violence) as the foundation, Sanyam (restraint) as the walls, and Tapa as the pinnacle of religious practice.
   • It uses various analogies to emphasize that religion without Tapa is like a showpiece without substance, lacking beauty and value.
   • The analogy of testing gold through rubbing, cutting, heating, and hammering is used to illustrate how virtue, conduct, Tapa, and compassion are used to test the authenticity of a religion.

2. The Auspiciousness of Tapa:

   • Tapa is defined as that which removes obstacles and brings about welfare. It is categorized into two types: material (dravy-mangal) and spiritual (bhav-mangal).
   • Tapa possesses the power of both, making it the most supreme auspiciousness.
   • The author shares a personal anecdote about financial difficulties faced by the Jain Sahitya Prakashan Mandir. Through sustained prayer and a vow of Panch-parvi (a specific type of fasting), they experienced spiritual intervention and eventual resolution of their problems, demonstrating the power of Tapa.

3. The Impact of Tapa:

   • This section extols the unparalleled influence of Tapa, quoting Jain scriptures that highlight its ability to:
     • Remove obstacles.
     • Subjugate celestial beings.
     • Subdue desires and senses.
     • Promote welfare.
     • Attain great powers (Mahalabdhi).
     • Destroy karmic accumulations.
     • Grant control over the heavens and attain liberation (Moksha).
   • It also quotes scriptures that state Tapa can make the impermanent permanent, the crooked straight, the difficult accessible, and the hard-to-achieve easily attainable.
   • The text emphasizes that all worldly happiness stems from Tapa.

4. The Story of Nandishen:

   • This is a significant narrative within the book, illustrating the transformative power of Tapa.
   • Nandishen, an orphaned and physically unattractive boy, faced immense hardship and rejection.
   • Despite his disfigurement, his uncle considered marrying him to his daughters. However, all seven daughters refused due to his appearance.
   • Heartbroken and despairing, Nandishen decided to end his life but was intervened by a Muni.
   • Following the Muni's guidance, Nandishen embraced asceticism and dedicated himself to rigorous Tapa.
   • His dedication led to a test by the gods, where he demonstrated immense compassion and forbearance by serving a disguised old Muni who subjected him to extreme indignity.
   • Through this test, Nandishen not only revealed his spiritual strength but also earned divine favor.
   • In his next life, as a result of his intense Tapa, he was reborn as Vasudeva, the father of Lord Krishna, renowned for his extraordinary beauty and influence, demonstrating the karmic consequences and rewards of Tapa. The story highlights how Tapa can overcome physical imperfections and karmic impediments.

5. Various Types of Labilities Attainable Through Tapa:

   • The book details numerous special powers (Labilities or Siddhis) that can be achieved through Tapa.
   • These include various forms of miraculous healing, control over the body, clairvoyance, telepathy, and even the ability to attain the powers of celestial beings.
   • The eight great Mahasiddhis (Anima, Mahima, Laghima, Garima, Vasita, Prakamya, Prapti, Ishita) are explained as being dependent on Tapa.
   • The nine treasures (Navanidhi) are also mentioned as being attainable through specific forms of Tapa.

6. The Eight Great Siddhis:

   • A detailed explanation of the eight Mahasiddhis is provided, describing the capabilities associated with each.

7. The Nine Treasures (Navanidhi):

   • The text explains that the nine treasures are not just material wealth but repositories of knowledge about various aspects of the universe, including town planning, agriculture, metallurgy, astrology, and arts. These are accessible through Tapa.

8. Tapa Greatly Aids in the Worship of Scriptural Knowledge (Shrutagnan):

   • Shrutagnan (knowledge acquired through scriptures) is considered supreme.
   • However, accessing its profound depths requires mental clarity, strong memory, and concentration, which are cultivated through Tapa.
   • Tapa helps overcome mental inertia and distractions, which are the result of karmic obstructions.

9. Tapa Destroys All Karmas:

   • The most significant power of Tapa lies in its ability to burn away karmic bondage.
   • It is likened to fire that separates impurities from gold, or a swan that separates milk from water.
   • The text contrasts the karmic destruction through Tapa with that achieved through knowledge, explaining that both are essential paths, and a misunderstanding of scriptures can lead to spiritual pitfalls.

10. The Important Place Given to Tapa in Jainism:

    • Jain scriptures categorize Dharma (righteousness) into four parts: Charity (Dana), Morality (Shila), Austerities (Tapa), and contemplation (Bhavana).
    • Tapa is highlighted as a crucial component of the path to liberation (Moksha).
    • The book discusses how Tapa is integrated into the worship of the nine supreme entities (Navapadji) and the twenty virtues (Vishsthanaka), underscoring its central role.

11. The Prescription of Tapa for Householders:

    • The text outlines the daily duties of householders, which include worshipping the omniscient beings (Jinas), revering spiritual preceptors (Gurus), studying scriptures (Swadhyaya), practicing restraint (Sanyam), performing Tapa, and engaging in charity (Dana).
    • It emphasizes that householders should perform Tapa to the best of their ability, even if it means making small vows like partial fasting or specific dietary restrictions.

12. The Prescription of Tapa for Monks:

    • Monks (Sadhus) are expected to engage in the highest forms of Ahimsa, Sanyam, and Tapa.
    • The word "Shramana" itself is derived from the root meaning "one who practices austerities."
    • The severe austerities undertaken by Lord Mahavir during his ascetic period are cited as an example of the extreme dedication expected from monks.

13. What is Tapa?

    • The text clarifies that Tapa is not merely physical suffering or self-denial but the purification of both the body and the mind. It involves controlling desires, passions, and bodily functions for spiritual growth.

14. Types of Tapa:

    • Tapa is divided into two main categories: External Tapa (Bahya Tapa) and Internal Tapa (Abhyantara Tapa).
    • External Tapa has six forms:
      1. Anashan (Fasting): Controlling the fundamental human need for food.
      2. Unodarikata (Eating Less): Reducing food intake, not overeating.
      3. Vritti-Sankshep (Restricting Food Sources): Limiting the types of food or the places from which food is obtained.
      4. Ras-tyag (Giving Up Desirable Foods): Abstaining from certain tastes or luxurious foods.
      5. Kayaklesh (Enduring Bodily Hardship): Tolerating physical discomfort for spiritual purposes.
      6. Sanlinata (Controlling the Senses and Passions): Restraining the senses, managing anger, pride, deceit, and greed, and engaging in minimal activity.
    • Internal Tapa also has six forms:
      1. Prayashchitta (Atonement): Confessing faults to a Guru and performing penance.
      2. Vinaya (Respect/Humility): Showing respect and adherence to the principles of Dharma, knowledge, and conduct.
      3. Vaiyavritta (Service): Serving the elderly, sick, or newly initiated monks.
      4. Swadhyaya (Self-Study): Studying scriptures and reflecting on their meaning.
      5. Dhyana (Meditation): Focusing the mind for spiritual insight.
      6. Vyutsarga (Renunciation/Letting Go): Renouncing attachments to the body, possessions, and ultimately, karmic matter.

15. How to Perform Tapa:

    • The book concludes with instructions on how to practice Tapa:
      • It should be performed for the sake of destroying karma, not for worldly fame, gain, or recognition.
      • Tapa should be practiced in a way that does not harm the body or lead to negative thoughts.
      • It should not be undertaken for livelihood.
      • Those who follow Tapa correctly will achieve inner peace, happiness, and make their human life meaningful.

In essence, "Tapni Mahatta" serves as a guide for Jains to understand and integrate the practice of austerities into their lives, highlighting its transformative power for spiritual purification, karmic redemption, and the ultimate attainment of liberation.