Jambudwip Pragnapti Sutra - Book Summary

The provided text is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jambudwip Pragnapti Sutra," edited by Nemichand Banthiya and Parasmal Chandaliya, and published by Akhil Bharatiya Sudharm Jain Sanskruti Rakshak Sangh. The summary details the structure and content of the sutra, highlighting its significance in Jain philosophy and cosmology.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects covered in the text:

I. Introduction and Philosophical Foundation:

Source of Jain Philosophy: The text emphasizes that Jain philosophy originates from the teachings of the omniscient and Vitaraga (free from passions) Tirthankaras, who possess complete self-realization and thus have a holistic understanding of the universe.
Nature of Tirthankara Teachings: Their words (Agamas) are considered infallible, eternal, beneficial to all beings, and free from contradictions. The core principle is the protection and welfare of all living beings, as articulated in the included scripture: "Savvajagjivarulakkhandayattaye pavayanam bhagavata sukahiyam attahiyam..." (The scripture has been well spoken by the Lord for the protection of all living beings in the world, beneficial to the soul...).
Agamas as Authentic Knowledge: The knowledge of reality, self, and conduct expounded by the omniscient is known as Agamas, Shastras, or Sutras. Tirthankaras convey the meaning, and their principal disciples, the Ganadharas, compile this into the structured form of Sutras. This lineage from Tirthankara to Ganadhara ensures the authenticity and validity of the Agamas.
Classification of Jain Agamas: The text outlines the various classifications of Jain Agamas, including:
- Purva and Anga: As mentioned in the Samavayanga Sutra.
- Anga-pravishta and Anga-bahya: Another classification.
- Anga, Upanga, Mula, and Chheda: The most contemporary and prevalent classification, detailing 11 Angas, 12 Upangas, 4 Chhedas, and 4 Mulas.

II. Jambudwip Pragnapti Sutra - Specific Details:

Position within Agamas: The Jambudwip Pragnapti Sutra is identified as the fifth Upanga among the twelve Upangas.
Author: It is attributed to Sthavira Bhagawantas (senior monks).
Subject Matter: The sutra is primarily a Ganitanuyoga (mathematical/cosmological discourse), dealing extensively with:
- The geography, mountains, lakes, rivers, peaks, and time cycles of Jambudwipa.
- The life stories of Lord Rishabhadeva and Chakravarti Bharat.
- The celestial cycles and mechanisms (Jyotishika Chakra).
Structure: The sutra is divided into seven Vakshaskaras (sections) and ten Adhikaras (chapters).

III. Content Breakdown (Adhikaras/Chapters):

The text lists the ten main subjects covered in the sutra:

Bharat Kshetra: Structure and features of Jambudwipa and Jagati, distance between gates, description of Bharat Kshetra, Vaitadhya mountain, and Rishabhakuta.
Time: Description of Utsarpini (ascending time cycle) and Avasarpini (descending time cycle), calculation of time, descriptions of the first, second, and third Aras (eras within a time cycle), the authority of Lord Rishabhadeva, Nirvana festival, and descriptions of the fourth, fifth, and sixth Aras.
Chakravarti: Description of Vinita city, the physical form of a Chakravarti, origin of the Chakraratna (celestial wheel), departure for Digvijaya (conquest of directions), appeasing deities like Maghadeva, Varadama, Prabhasa, Sindhu, and Vaitadhya deities, victory over the Southern Sindhu region, opening of Timisra cave gates, mandal writing, description of rivers Unmagnajala and Nimgnajala, victory over Kiratas, worship of Chullhimavanta mountain deities, inscription on Rishabhakuta, victory over Nami and Vinami, worship of Ganga Devi, victory over Khandaprapata, worship of Nrityamaladeva, worship of nine treasures, entry into Vinita, coronation festival, prosperity of the Chakravarti, detachment and Kevala Jnana (omniscience) in the palace.
Kshetravarshadharas: Description of Chullhimavanta, Haimavata, Mahihimavanta, Harivarsha, Nishadha, Mahavideha, Gandhamadana, Gajadanta, Uttarakuru, Yama, Nilavanta, Ramyakavas, Rukmi, Hairanyavata, Shikari, and Airavata regions, along with Abhishek (consecration) of Tirthankaras and celebrations by Dikumaris and Indras.
Khanda Yojana: Principles of Pradesh Sparshana, description of continents, yojanas, fields, mountains, kootas, teerthas, rows, kingdoms, lakes, and river gates.
Jyotishika Chakra: Number of Chandras, Suryas etc., description of Sun mandalas, areas, distances, lengths, widths, distances from Meru, increments, decrements, motion measurements, day-night measurements, temperature zones, structures, visibility, movement, upper and lower and transverse heat, origin of Jyotishika Devatas and Indra's chavana (descend), measurements of Moon mandalas, areas, distances, lengths, widths, motion measurements, mutual distances of Nakshatra mandalas, viskambha, distances from Meru, lengths, widths, motion measurements, measurements of Chandra motion, and methods of appearance and disappearance.
Samvatsara: Names and types of Samvatsaras, names of months in a Samvatsara, names of Paksha (fortnight), Tithi (lunar day), and Ratri (night), names of Muhurta and Karana, transient and stable Karana, names of first Samvatsaras etc.
Nakshatra: Names of Nakshatras and their directional yogas, names of deities, number of stars, Nakshatra Gotras and number of stars, measurement of time through Nakshatra and Chandra, Paurushi measurement of Nakshatras that complete Kul, Upakul, and Kuloparatri.
Jyotishika Chakra (Second Mention): Stars above and below, their families, distances from Meru mountain, distances from Lokanta and flat land, external and internal stars and their distances, structures, and measurements, celestial carriers, motion, relative multiplicity, powers, mutual distances, and chief consorts, assembly gates, names of 88 planets, relative multiplicity.
Samucchaya: Description of supreme beings in Jambudwipa, treasures in Jambudwipa, number of gems, length and width of Jambudwipa, its location, reasons for its name, etc.

III. Editorial and Publication Details:

Translator: Prof. Dr. Chhaganlal Shastri (M.A. thrice, Ph.D., Kavyatirtha, Vidyamahodadhi), a renowned scholar in Jain philosophy, translated the text.
Assistant Translator: Mahendrakumar Rankawat (B.Sc., M.A., Research Scholar)
Editors: Nemichand Banthiya and Parasmal Chandaliya.
Publisher: Shri Akhil Bharatiya Sudharm Jain Sanskruti Rakshak Sangh, Jodhpur, with a branch in Beawar.
Financial Support: Seth Jaswantbhai Shah of Mumbai is acknowledged as a generous donor.
Availability: The book is available at various Jain centers across India.
Pricing: The book is priced at ₹50.00.
Edition: This is the first edition, published in March 2004 (Vir Samvat 2530, Vikram Samvat 2061).
Printing: Printed by Swastik Printers, Ajmer.

IV. Special Sections:

Aswadhyay: A section details the 34 reasons for Aswadhyay (avoiding scriptural study), categorized into 10 related to the sky and 10 related to the physical body (haddi, rakt, mans) and others. It provides specific timeframes for when study should be avoided.
Table of Contents: A detailed index (Vishayanukramanika) lists all the topics covered, chapter-wise, with page numbers, providing a clear roadmap of the sutra's content.

V. Core Content Summary (as extracted from the text):

The text then proceeds to give a detailed summary of the first few sections (Vakshaskaras) of the sutra, covering topics like:

Jambudwipa's Form and Perimeter: Describing its location, size, circular shape, and the diamond-encrusted rampart (vajramayi jagati).
Forest Sections (Van Khanda): Mentioning beautiful, natural areas with various trees and inhabited by Vanavyantara deities.
Jambudwipa's Gates: Identifying the four gates: Vijaya, Vaijayanta, Jayanta, and Aparajita.
Bharat Kshetra: Its location, its characteristics (described as full of stumps, thorns, uneven land, difficult terrain, rivers, lakes, trees, bushes, vines, forests, wild animals, robbers, calamities, bad times, diverse sects, poverty, beggars, famines, plagues, kings, diseases, afflictions, constant turmoil), its shape (long east-west, wide north-south, like a bed in the north, like a bow in the south), its contact with the salt ocean on three sides, and its division into six parts by the river Ganga, Sindhu, and the Vaitadhya mountain.
Vaitadhya Mountain: Its location, dimensions, two caves (Tamisra and Khandapravata), residing deities (Krutmalak and Nrutmalak), and the presence of Vidyadhar clans and Abhiyogik Devatas.
Rishabhakuta: Describing its location, dimensions, and its various features.
Bharat's Journey and Administration: Detail on the characteristics of the people, their lifespan, the concept of Yaugliches (communal living), and the absence of worldly concerns like property or organized society.
The Time Cycles (Avsarpini and Utsarpini): Detailing the six eras (Aras) within each cycle, the gradual decline in lifespan, strength, and virtue in Avasarpini, and the reverse in Utsarpini.
The First Era (Susham-Sushama): Describing the blissful state of existence where people lived for crores of years, with no sorrow, and were sustained by divine Kalpavriksha trees.
The Second Era (Sushama): A slight decline in lifespan and happiness.
The Third Era (Sushama-Dushama): Further decline, with the beginning of some less pleasant experiences.
The Fourth Era (Dushama-Sushama): A more significant decline, leading to the emergence of negative qualities and shorter lifespans.
Lord Rishabhadeva's Life: His birth, childhood, reign as Chakravarti, renunciation, attainment of Kevala Jnana (omniscience), and Nirvana are described in detail.
Cosmological Details: The text elaborates on the dimensions of the Sun and Moon mandalas, their movements, the distances between them, and the concept of different layers or orbits.
The Structure of the Universe: It details various types of mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, cities, and the celestial beings residing in them.
The Nature of Souls and Matter: The text implicitly discusses the Jain concepts of soul (Jiva) and matter (Pudgala) through the descriptions of various realms and beings.

The text emphasizes the meticulous and systematic approach of Jain cosmology, where every element of the universe, from the smallest particle to the grandest celestial bodies, is described with precise measurements and classifications. It serves as a foundational text for understanding the Jain worldview.