Jain Tattavsara Granth Satik

This document is a summary and analysis of the Jain text "Jain Tattavsara Granth Satik" by Surchandra Gani, published by Varddhaman Satya Niti Harshsuri Jain Granthamala, Ahmedabad. The catalog link provided is https://jainqq.org/explore/010011/1.

The book is dedicated to Acharya Shri Vijaynitissurishwarji and authored by Mahopadhyaya Shri Surchandra Gani. The editor and researcher is Pandit Shri Manvijay Gani. The publisher is Shri Varddhaman-Satya-Niti-Harshsuri Jain Granthamala, Ahmedabad. The printing was done by Shah Gulabchand Lallubhai at Shri Mahodaya Printing Press, Bhavnagar. The publication year is Veer Samvat 2467, Satya Samvat 241, and Vikram Samvat 1997.

Key aspects of the book highlighted in the provided pages:

• Introduction (Prastavna): The introduction emphasizes the importance of understanding the soul (Atma) and its true nature as the path to spiritual liberation (Moksha). It states that all actions are futile without this self-understanding. The text explains that to know the soul, one must understand the reality of all substances, particularly the "Nine Tattvas" (Nav Tattvas), though the "Jain Tattvasara" explains these in a different manner. The book uses many worldly examples to clarify these principles. It also touches upon the universal desire for happiness and how misguided efforts or incomplete knowledge can lead to suffering. The introduction notes that while the subject of spirituality is vast, the book focuses on the core principles.

• Structure and Content:

  • The "Jain Tattvasara" comprises 21 chapters (Adhikars).
  • Each chapter clarifies key subjects with examples.
  • The book is approximately 4100 verses in length when including the commentary (Tika).
  • A unique feature is the use of dialogues between hypothetical characters, a questioner (Vadi) and a refuter (Prativadi), making the book engaging and instructive.
  • The text also presents the viewpoints of other philosophical schools to strengthen the Jain perspective.

• Chapter-wise Summary (as indicated in the text):

  • Chapter 1 (Jiva & Karma Swabhav): Describes the nature of the soul and karma. It details the variations of the soul and explains the infinity of karma, guiding how the soul can become free from karma and attain liberation.
  • Chapter 2 (Jiva's Karma Reception): Explains how the soul acquires good and bad karma, discussing the five causes: time, nature, destiny, past deeds, and effort, with illustrative examples.
  • Chapter 3 (Soul's Absorption of Formless Karma): Explains how the soul, being formless, absorbs form-possessing karma, supported by examples like mercury, plants, coconuts, and magnets.
  • Chapter 4 (Amurta-Murta Conjunction): Explains how the abstract soul and concrete karma can combine, using examples like camphor and the sun's rays.
  • Chapter 5 (Liberated Souls and Karma): Elaborates on why liberated souls are unaffected by karma, providing practical examples.
  • Chapter 6 (Liberation from Karma): Addresses the question of how souls, whose nature is to acquire karma, can remain free from it after liberation, using examples of mercury, gold, mica, and the chakor bird.
  • Chapter 7 (Immortality vs. Emptiness of the Universe): Resolves the seeming contradiction between the continuous flow of souls towards liberation and the universe never being devoid of living beings, using analogies of rivers, the sea, and the earth.
  • Chapter 8 (Nature of Brahman): Explains the nature of Brahman and clarifies that God is not the creator of the world.
  • Chapter 9 (Concept of Brahman and Siddhas): Defines Brahman and explains why liberated souls (Siddhas) do not experience confinement, with relevant examples.
  • Chapter 10 (Nigoda Souls): Discusses Nigoda souls, their nature, suffering due to karma, and their invisibility.
  • Chapter 11 (World's Fullness and Space): Addresses how other elements like karma, matter, and time-space principles can coexist if the universe is filled with Nigoda souls, using the example of a shop.
  • Chapter 12 (Karma Consumption without External Influence): Explains how karma can be experienced without external motivation, using examples of diseases like smallpox and chickenpox. It also covers the stages and systems of karma.
  • Chapter 13 (Refutation of Nihilism): Addresses and refutes nihilistic views such as "there is no merit, no sin, no heaven."
  • Chapter 14 (Limitation of Direct Perception): Argues that direct evidence alone is insufficient, advocating for the acceptance of indirect proofs with supporting examples.
  • Chapter 15 (Existence of the Unseen): Provides proof for the existence of the unseen, such as heaven, with examples.
  • Chapter 16 (Path to Heaven and Liberation): Outlines the means to attain heaven and liberation, advising householders to maintain worldly practices while progressing in spiritual devotion.
  • Chapter 17 (The Efficacy of Idol Worship): Refutes atheistic arguments against idol worship, proving its validity and benefits with examples like Rama-Sita, a conch shell, Ekalavya, and a scarecrow in a field.
  • Chapter 18 (Formless Deities and Idol Worship): Resolves the question of how formless deities can be represented in idols, strongly supporting idol worship.
  • Chapter 19 (Instantaneous Results vs. Idol Worship): Explains why idol worship, unlike objects like the wish-fulfilling jewel, does not yield immediate results, providing examples such as pregnancy and mantra efficacy.
  • Chapter 20 (Liberation Through Self-Knowledge/Spirituality): Rejects external philosophical views, affirming that liberation is achieved solely through self-knowledge and spirituality.
  • Chapter 21 (Essence of All Tattvas): Concludes that the essence of all principles is "mind control" (Manonirodh) and offers concluding remarks.

• Author and Lineage: The author, Surchandra Vachak, belonged to the Khartargachchha sect. His lineage is traced back through several prominent figures: Jinvardhansurishwarji, Merusundar Pathak, Harsha Pathak, Priya Pathak, Charitra Pathak, Uday Vachak, Virkalash, and finally to Surchandra Vachak.

• Discovery and Publication: The introduction mentions that many ancient palm-leaf manuscripts and handwritten texts were lost due to neglect. The rediscovery of this "Jain Tattvasara" manuscript was facilitated when Maharaj Shri Manvijayji, during his travels, inspected the handwritten manuscripts in Vadodara's library. He was inspired to rescue this valuable text and bring it to society in a printed form. The first edition was published in 1966 (S. Samvat) by Shri Atmaband Jain Sabha in Bhavnagar with a translation. Master Sundarlal Chunilal of Vadodara helped in transcribing the handwritten copy of the commentary. The publication of this commented version was made possible through the efforts of Panannyaji Manvijayji.

• Acknowledgments: The text expresses gratitude to Shri Kunvarji Anandji of Bhavnagar for proofreading, and acknowledges the significant efforts of Panannyaji Maharaj in rescuing the text. It also thanks the financial supporters from Jamnagar, Radhanpur, and Khivandi (Marwar). The publisher acknowledges the cooperation of Shah Gulabchand Lallubhai, owner of Mahodaya Press, for their dedicated support in the printing process.

• Errata (Shuddhipatraka): Several pages are dedicated to listing errors found in the text and their corrections, indicating a meticulous editing process.

This comprehensive summary covers the title, author, publisher, date, dedication, structure, key philosophical points, author's lineage, and the publication history as presented in the initial pages of the "Jain Tattvasara Granth Satik."