Jinendra Vandana Evam Barah Bhavana - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jinendra Vandana evam Barah Bhavana" by Hukamchand Bharilla, based on the provided pages:

The book is divided into two main sections: Jinendra Vandana (Salutations to the Jinendras) and Barah Bhavana (Twelve Reflections).

Part 1: Jinendra Vandana (Salutations to the Jinendras)

This section consists of praises and salutations to the 24 Tirthankaras (Jinas). Each Tirthankara is addressed with specific verses that highlight their unique qualities and the spiritual lessons they imparted to humanity. The core message throughout these salutations is the celebration of the Tirthankaras' liberation from worldly attachments, their attainment of omniscience, and their role as guides for spiritual upliftment.

Key themes and attributes highlighted in the salutations include:

Liberation from Defilements: The verses emphasize how each Jina conquered internal enemies like anger, ego, attachment, and delusion.
Attainment of True Self: The Tirthankaras are praised for realizing and abiding in their true, pure soul (Atma).
Omniscience and Vision: Their perfect knowledge (Sarvadarshi, Sarvagya) and insightful vision are lauded.
Virtues and Qualities: The specific virtues associated with each Tirthankara are mentioned, such as Kshama (forgiveness), Mardav (humility), Nirmalata (purity), Shitalata (coolness/peace), Ahimsa (non-violence), and Samata (equanimity).
Guidance for Humanity: The Tirthankaras are recognized as those who showed the path to salvation, freed humanity from suffering, and revealed the true nature of the soul.
Focus on Self-Realization: Many verses reiterate that the true path and the ultimate goal is the realization and worship of one's own soul. The external world and possessions are depicted as temporary and ultimately irrelevant to the soul's true nature.

Examples of specific Tirthankara salutations and their emphasis:

Adi Nath: Merging with the true soul, realizing bliss.
Ajit Nath: Conquering anger through self-knowledge and meditation.
Sambhav Nath: Highlighting humility and the understanding that the soul is supreme.
Abhinandan Nath: Praising simplicity and its role in spiritual practice.
Sumati Nath: Describing him as a source of joy, knowledge, and purity.
Padma Prabh: Emphasizing the relinquishment of ego and the understanding of possessions.
Suparshva Nath: Identifying the soul itself as the 'Pars" (wish-fulfilling jewel) and the importance of self-meditation.
Chandra Prabh: Describing him as pure, spotless, and a source of light like the full moon.
Suvidhi Nath (Pushpadanta): Praising his absorption in the self and his role as a remover of suffering.
Shital Nath: Highlighting his ability to bring peace and coolness to the world.
Shreyans Nath: Admiring his detachment from worldly allurements even when surrounded by them.
Vasu Poojya: Contrasting worldly desires with the Jina's freedom from them.
Vimal Nath: Focusing on pure faith and constant remembrance of the soul.
Anant Nath: Praising his infinite nature and his role as the beloved of liberation.
Dharma Nath: Hailing him as the foundation of true dharma and the guide across the ocean of existence.
Shanti Nath: Commending his detachment from vast empires and his teachings that lead across the ocean of samsara.
Kunthu Nath: Admiring his renunciation of wealth, power, and sensual pleasures.
Arha Nath: Recognizing his victory over the world while choosing the eternal soul.
Malli Nath: Highlighting the conquest of the mind and the revelation of anekanta (many-sidedness).
Munisuvrata: Praising his detachment from worldly responsibilities and his attainment of the supreme state through self-knowledge.
Nami Nath: Emphasizing the soul's inherent divinity and the realization of the self.
Nemi Nath: Illustrating self-sovereignty and the separation of the soul from external matter.
Parshva Nath: Praising his asceticism and the understanding that each atom is self-reliant.
Mahavir: Declaring him the conqueror of desire and delusion, the guide beyond merit and demerit, and the embodiment of spiritual revolution.

The section concludes with profound tributes to Mahavir, emphasizing his victory over passions, his steadfastness, his role as a savior, and the essence of his teachings of equanimity, self-reliance, and spiritual revolution.

Part 2: Barah Bhavana (Twelve Reflections)

This section delves into the "Twelve Reflections" or contemplations that are crucial for spiritual progress in Jainism. These are meant to cultivate detachment, dispassion, and a deeper understanding of reality.

The twelve reflections discussed are:

Anitya Bhavana (Impermanence): Reflecting on the transient nature of all worldly possessions, relationships, and even one's own body. Everything is temporary, like dewdrops on a lotus leaf or the setting sun. Youth fades, old age approaches, and desire for sensual pleasures intensifies even as life diminishes. The true essence is the eternal soul, not the fleeting states.
Asharan Bhavana (Helplessness/Lack of Refuge): Contemplating that in times of true crisis, no external entity – wealth, relatives, power – can provide refuge. Like a leaky boat in mid-river, one is ultimately alone. Only the self, the soul, is the true refuge. External attachments are not reliable sources of support.
Sansar Bhavana (Cycle of Existence): Understanding the painful and meaningless nature of the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth (samsara). This cycle is driven by karmic bonds and attachments, leading to suffering. Even favorable circumstances in the world do not bring lasting happiness. The soul's true nature is blissful, separate from the cycles of samsara.
Ekattva Bhavana (Solitariness/Oneness): Realizing that the soul experiences the consequences of its actions alone, whether in joy or sorrow, in heaven, hell, or the human realm. While there are external interactions, the soul's journey is fundamentally solitary. This understanding fosters detachment from external relationships.
Anyattva Bhavana (Otherness/Difference): Contemplating the distinction between the soul and the body, and between the soul and all other external substances, including relationships, possessions, and even one's own mental states. All these are separate from the true self.
Ashuchi Bhavana (Impurity): Reflecting on the impure and gross nature of the physical body, which is a dwelling place of filth, blood, and decay. Even association with the body contaminates anything it comes into contact with. However, the soul residing within is pure.
Asrava Bhavana (Influx of Karmas): Understanding how worldly desires and activities lead to the influx of karmas, which bind the soul to suffering. Ignorance and attachment are the root causes. Recognizing this is the first step to controlling the influx.
Samvara Bhavana (Stoppage of Karmas): Contemplating the principles and practices that halt the influx of new karmas. This involves controlling the senses, cultivating detachment, and focusing on the true nature of the self. This is the path to becoming the pure, omniscient soul.
Nirjara Bhavana (Shedding of Karmas): Reflecting on the processes of austerities, penance, and detachment that lead to the shedding of accumulated karmas. This is the direct path to liberation, achieved through steadfast devotion and meditation on the pure soul.
Loka Bhavana (The Universe): Contemplating the structure of the universe (Loka) composed of six substances, and realizing that within this vastness, the soul is the only essence, self-reliant and supreme. The pure soul is the ultimate reality and the source of all existence.
Bodhi Durlabha Bhavana (Rarity of Enlightenment): Reflecting on the extreme difficulty of obtaining human birth, favorable circumstances, good association, and the opportunity for spiritual practice. True enlightenment is rare and precious, requiring dedicated effort and detachment.
Dharma Bhavana (Righteousness): Understanding that true dharma lies in the self-realization and worship of one's own soul. This spiritual practice, free from desire and attachment, is the ultimate wish-fulfilling desire and the path to liberation.

The book concludes with insightful philosophical points and quotes from Dr. Bharilla's other works, emphasizing:

Self-Realization as the Sole Purpose: Religion and spirituality begin and end with the realization of the self.
Focus on Self-Improvement: Effort should be directed towards self-purification rather than trying to reform others.
Acceptance and Non-Attachment: Learning to detach from external circumstances and embracing a state of "being" rather than "doing" leads to peace.
The Essence of Jainism: Jainism is defined by the worship of the soul, right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct as the true religion. It proclaims the soul as omnipotent and the path to achieving this state through self-reliance.
Acceptance of Death: Embracing death with equanimity leads to peace and happiness.
The Importance of Wisdom and Humility: Knowledge acquisition requires humility, discrimination, and diligence.
The Power of True Devotion: True devotion lies in contemplating the virtues of the Jinas, not in mere outward rituals or exaggerated claims.
The Significance of Studying Sacred Literature: The serious study of spiritual texts is crucial for realizing ultimate truth.

In essence, "Jinendra Vandana evam Barah Bhavana" is a devotional and didactic work that guides the reader through veneration of the Tirthankaras and contemplation of essential spiritual truths to foster detachment, self-awareness, and the ultimate liberation of the soul.