Jaindarshan Aur Kevalgyan

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Jaindarshan aur Kevalgyan" by Mulchand C. Bedawala:

The book "Jaindarshan aur Kevalgyan" (Jain Philosophy and Omniscience) by Mulchand C. Bedawala explores the concept of Kevalgyan, the highest form of knowledge in Jainism, which is the state of absolute and complete omniscience.

The text begins by outlining the five categories of knowledge in Jain philosophy:

1. Mati Gyan (Sensory Knowledge): Knowledge gained through the senses and mind.
2. Shrut Gyan (Scriptural Knowledge): Knowledge acquired through scriptures and learning.
3. Avadhi Gyan (Clairvoyance): Supernatural knowledge of forms and matters visible to the senses.
4. Manah-paryav Gyan (Telepathy): Knowledge of the thoughts of others.
5. Keval Gyan (Omniscience): Absolute and complete knowledge of all substances and their modes in the entire universe.

It explains that Kevalgyan is typically attained after the destruction of the four ghati (obstructing) karmas: jnana-avaraniya (knowledge-obscuring), darshana-avaraniya (perception-obscuring), antaraya (obstructing), and mohaniya (delusory).

However, the book highlights a significant aspect of Jain philosophy: the possibility of attaining Kevalgyan instantaneously under specific circumstances, particularly through the development of profound spiritual states (bhavas). While devotional practices like charity (dan), ethical conduct (sheel), penance (tapa), and spiritual practices (jap) can lead to merit and eventual liberation, the path of bhavas (inner states) is presented as a unique way to achieve Kevalgyan in a single moment. This is achieved through intense devotion (bhakti), detachment (virakti), and atonement (prayashchit), pushing the boundaries of spiritual emotion to its highest limits.

The book then provides numerous illustrative examples from Jain tradition to support this concept of instantaneous Kevalgyan:

• Mother Marudevi: The mother of Lord Rishabhdev attained Kevalgyan while yearning for his return and witnessing his divine presence and the grandeur of his disciples.
• Bharat Chakravarti: The eldest son of Lord Rishabhdev achieved Kevalgyan instantaneously when, after shedding his royal ornaments, he reflected on the impermanence of his body and the world.
• Bahubali: Another son of Lord Rishabhdev, in deep meditation, realized the vanity of seeking omniscience through pride (likened to an elephant) and, upon humility, attained Kevalgyan.
• Gautam Swami: The chief disciple of Lord Mahavir attained Kevalgyan in his final moments, overwhelmed by grief upon witnessing the Lord's nirvana (liberation).
• Sadhvi Pushpachoola: A devoted disciple, through her selfless service and understanding of her guru's path, achieved Kevalgyan.
• Acharya Arnikaputra: While crossing a river, experiencing profound compassion for aquatic beings affected by his blood, he attained Kevalgyan.
• Muni Atimukta: A young ascetic, while playing in the rain, was guided by his guru and, upon repenting and seeking forgiveness from earth and water beings, attained Kevalgyan.
• Muni Sukausal: After facing severe suffering and the attack of a lioness (his mother from a past life), he maintained equanimity in meditation and achieved Kevalgyan.
• Newly initiated disciple (Bhadrasen Muni): A new disciple, enduring harsh treatment and blows from his guru with unwavering respect and humility, demonstrated such profound inner strength that he attained Kevalgyan, leading his guru to also achieve it out of remorse for his actions.
• Muni Gajsukul: The younger brother of Lord Krishna, facing immense pain from burning embers placed on his head by his irate father-in-law, attained Kevalgyan by reflecting on how this act had paved his path to liberation.
• Ilachiputra: A man who fell in love with a dancer's daughter, witnessing a monk's detachment in the presence of a beautiful woman, experienced intense remorse and attained Kevalgyan.
• Muni Dhundhan Kumar: A disciple who, despite receiving pure alms from a devotee, rejected it because it wasn't from his own attainment, ultimately achieved Kevalgyan by offering it with pure thoughts.
• Muni Metarya: A goldsmith's son falsely accused of theft, who endured immense pain and suffering with equanimity, attained Kevalgyan when his eyes were forced out.
• Muni Dadhprhari: A former dacoit who committed heinous crimes, later found deep remorse and attained Kevalgyan through prolonged meditation and enduring public scorn.
• Muni Karangdu: A disciple who, despite being insulted and spat upon by another monk, responded with humility and reverence, leading him to achieve Kevalgyan.
• Nagetum: A virtuous man who, even when bitten by a serpent while engrossed in devotion, remained in deep meditation and achieved Kevalgyan.
• Muni Khandak: A strict ascetic who, while his skin was being flayed by order of the king, remained in deep meditation and attained Kevalgyan.
• 500 disciples of Skandakacharya: These disciples, despite being cruelly killed by being ground in an oil press, attained Kevalgyan by sincerely repenting and forgiving their tormentors, as prophesied by their guru. Skandakacharya himself, however, became angry and was lost to the cycle of birth and death.
• Muni Jhajhariya: A prince who became a monk, was falsely accused of assault, and was about to be beheaded. Just before his execution, he attained Kevalgyan. The king, realizing his mistake and the muni's relationship to his queen, also attained Kevalgyan out of remorse.
• Ashadhabhuti: A young monk who was ensnared by dancers but, upon witnessing their decomposed forms, repented and later, through experiencing impermanence while performing a play, attained Kevalgyan.

The book also mentions other individuals who attained Kevalgyan under various circumstances, often while still attached to worldly matters, but where detachment (virakti) arose instantaneously:

• Ratisukumar while his wife was adorning herself.
• Prithvichandra while sitting on the throne.
• Muni Arnik while performing asceticism on a burning stone.
• Gunsagar at the time of a wedding ceremony during hand clasping.
• King Punyathya while reflecting on his life.
• Arjun Mali while enduring stoning daily.
• Kumaryaputra while sitting at home.
• Rishi Kapil from attachment to wealth to detachment from it.
• Arnik Anmar while practicing compassion for ants, eating a bitter gourd.

The concluding section emphasizes that the Jain tradition is unique in that even individuals with harsh or difficult pasts can cross the ocean of existence by embracing approval, atonement, devotion, or detachment, reaching the highest waves of spiritual emotion. The text encourages readers to emulate these souls and make their own lives blessed.

Finally, it mentions Chandanbala and Mrigavati, who attained Kevalgyan through mutual forgiveness and repentance, even after facing hardship and separation.

In essence, "Jaindarshan aur Kevalgyan" delves into the multifaceted path to omniscience in Jainism, highlighting that while the traditional path through karma eradication is recognized, the transformative power of intense spiritual emotions and instantaneous realizations plays a crucial role in achieving Kevalgyan.