Jiva Ajiva

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jiva Ajiva" by Acharya Mahapragna, published by Jain Vishva Bharati. The book delves into the fundamental principles of Jain philosophy, primarily focusing on the concepts of the soul (Jiva) and the non-soul (Ajiva). It is structured around "25 principles" (Pachis Bol), which systematically explain various aspects of Jain cosmology, ethics, and metaphysics.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics covered in the text, presented in a structured manner:

Core Philosophical Tenets:

• Jiva and Ajiva as the Foundation: The entire Jain worldview is based on the existence and distinction between Jiva (soul, conscious entity) and Ajiva (non-soul, inanimate matter).
• Knowledge Precedes Action: The text emphasizes the Jain principle "Padhamam nanam tato daya" (First knowledge, then compassion/action). True knowledge, particularly of Jiva and Ajiva, is essential for meaningful conduct and spiritual progress.
• The Goal of Liberation (Moksha): The ultimate aim of Jain spiritual practice is liberation from the cycle of birth and death, which is achieved through right knowledge, right faith, and right conduct.

Key Concepts Explained in the 25 Principles:

The book systematically elaborates on 25 core principles, which are essentially categories of Jain ontological and ethical understanding:

1. Four Types of Movement (Gati):

   • Explains the four realms of existence: Narak Gati (hellish beings), Tiryanch Gati (sub-human/animal beings), Manushya Gati (human beings), and Deva Gati (celestial beings).
   • Distinguishes between the liberated souls (Siddha) and the souls still in the cycle of rebirth (Samsari).
   • Discusses the concept of "Antaral Gati" (intermediate movement) between births, detailing its rectilinear (Riju) and curvilinear (Vakra) paths.

2. Five Types of Beings Based on Senses (Jati):

   • Classifies living beings based on the number of senses they possess: Ekendriya (one-sensed), Dviindriya (two-sensed), Triindriya (three-sensed), Chaturindriya (four-sensed), and Panchindriya (five-sensed).
   • Details the characteristics and examples of beings in each category, including different types of Panchindriya beings (aquatic, terrestrial, aerial) and humans (Sammurcchima and Garbhaj).

3. Six Types of Bodies (Kaya):

   • Explains the six fundamental classifications of living beings based on their physical bodies (Kaya): Prithvikaya (earth-bodied), Apkaya (water-bodied), Tejus-kaya (fire-bodied), Vayukaya (air-bodied), Vanaspatikaya (plant-bodied), and Tras-kaya (mobile/two-sensed to five-sensed beings).
   • Distinguishes between the stationary (Sthavar) and mobile (Tras) beings.
   • Highlights the concept of Sanchitta (living matter) and Achitta (non-living matter) in relation to these bodies.

4. Five Sense Organs (Indriya):

   • Details the five sense organs: Shrotrendriya (hearing), Chakshurindriya (sight), Ghranendriya (smell), Rasnendriya (taste), and Sparshanendriya (touch).
   • Explains the distinction between material senses (Dravya Indriya) and spiritual senses (Bhava Indriya), and their respective components.

5. Six Types of Attainments/Fulfillments (Paryapti):

   • Explains the six types of "Paryapti" or the processes by which a living being acquires the necessary components for its existence: Ahar-Paryapti (nutrition), Sharir-Paryapti (body formation), Indriya-Paryapti (sense organ formation), Shvasochchvas-Paryapti (respiration), Bhasha-Paryapti (speech formation), and Manah-Paryapti (mind formation).
   • Discusses the sequential completion of these processes.

6. Ten Vitalities/Lifeforces (Prana):

   • Details the ten essential life forces that sustain a being: the five sensory vitalities (Shrotrendriya Prana, Chakshurindriya Prana, Ghranendriya Prana, Rasnendriya Prana, Sparshanendriya Prana), the three strengths (Manobal, Vachanbal, Kayabal), respiration (Shvasochchvas Prana), and lifespan (Ayushya Prana).
   • Explains the relationship between Prana and Paryapti, and discusses the nature of death and life in Jainism.

7. Five Types of Bodies (Sharir):

   • Describes the five types of bodies a soul can possess: Audarika (gross physical body), Vaikriya (transformable body), Aharaka (thought-body used by ascetics for specific purposes), Taijasa (electromagnetic/fiery body), and Karmana (karmic body).
   • Highlights that Taijasa and Karmana bodies are always present with a soul in its worldly existence.

8. Fifteen Types of Yoga (Yog):

   • Explains "Yoga" as the activity of the mind, speech, and body, and the subtle karmic matter associated with them.
   • Categorizes Yoga into Manoyoga (mental activity), Vachanyoga (verbal activity), and Kayayoga (bodily activity), with further sub-classifications (e.g., four types of Manoyoga: true, false, mixed, conventional).

9. Twelve Types of Use/Consciousness (Upayog):

   • Defines "Upayog" as the application of knowledge and perception.
   • Explains five types of Knowledge (Jnana): Mati-jnana (sensory knowledge), Shruta-jnana (scriptural knowledge), Avadhi-jnana (clairvoyance), Manahparyava-jnana (telepathy), and Kevala-jnana (omniscience).
   • Explains three types of Ignorance (Ajnan): Mati-ajnan, Shruta-ajnan, and Vibhanga-ajnan.
   • Details four types of Perception (Darshan): Chakshu-darshan (visual perception), Achakshu-darshan (non-visual perception), Avadhi-darshan (clairvoyant perception), and Kevala-darshan (omniscient perception).

10. Eight Types of Karma (Karma):

    • Explains karma as subtle karmic matter that attaches to the soul due to its passions and activities.
    • Categorizes karma into eight types: Jnanavaraniya (knowledge-obscuring), Darshanavaraniya (perception-obscuring), Vedaniya (feeling-producing), Mohaniya (delusion-producing), Ayushya (lifespan-determining), Nama (body-determining), Gotra (status-determining), and Antaraya (obstruction-producing).
    • Further divides karma into four destructive (Ghati) and four non-destructive (Aghati) karmas, explaining their effects on the soul.
    • Discusses the causes of karmic bondage and the ten stages of karma.

11. Fourteen Stages of Spiritual Progress (Gunasthana):

    • Outlines the fourteen stages of spiritual development that a soul traverses on its path to liberation, starting from complete delusion (Mithyadrishti) to omniscience and liberation (Ayyogi Kevali).
    • Explains the gradual purification of the soul by shedding karmic impurities.

12. Twenty-three Objects of the Five Senses (Indriya Vishaya):

    • Details the specific objects that each of the five sense organs can perceive, with further sub-classifications (e.g., three types of sound for the ear, eight types of touch for the skin).

13. Ten Types of False Faith (Mithyatva):

    • Enumerates ten ways in which one's faith can be deluded, leading to wrong understanding of reality (e.g., mistaking irreligion for religion, non-soul for soul, etc.).

14. Nine Essential Truths (Nava Tattva) and their Divisions:

    • Explains the nine fundamental categories of reality in Jainism: Jiva (soul), Ajiva (non-soul), Punya (merit), Papa (demerit), Ashrava (influx of karma), Samvara (prevention of karma), Nirjara (shedding of karma), Bandha (bondage of karma), and Moksha (liberation).
    • Provides extensive sub-classifications, aiming for 115 distinct categories within these nine principles.

15. Eight Aspects of the Soul (Atma):

    • Describes the soul in its various functional or qualitative aspects: Dravya Atma (substantive soul), Kashaya Atma (soul affected by passions), Yoga Atma (soul engaged in activity), Upayog Atma (soul engaged in consciousness), Jnana Atma (soul as knowledge), Darshana Atma (soul as perception), Charitra Atma (soul as conduct), and Virya Atma (soul as energy/strength).
    • Discusses the soul's existence, its persistence through different bodies, and its nature as an eternal, conscious entity.

16. Twenty-four Categories of Existence (Dandaka):

    • Details 24 classifications of beings and realms based on the four Gati (Narak, Tiryanch, Manushya, Deva) and their further sub-divisions, including various types of celestial beings (Bhavanpati, Vyantar, Jyotishka, Vaimanika) and stationary beings.

17. Six Types of Lessions (Leshya):

    • Explains "Leshya" as the subtle disposition or quality of the soul, influenced by karmic matter, manifesting as colors or intensities of consciousness.
    • Classifies Leshyas into six types: Krishnaleshya (black), Neelaleshya (blue), Kapotaleshya (grey/dove-colored), Tejolleshya (fiery/red), Padmaleshya (lotus-like/yellowish-red), and Shuklalesshya (white). The first three are considered unfavorable, and the latter three favorable for spiritual progress.

18. Three Types of Vision/Faith (Drishti):

    • Categorizes faith or perspective into three types: Samyag-drishti (right faith), Mithya-drishti (wrong faith), and Samyak-mithya-drishti (mixed/wavering faith).

19. Four Types of Meditation (Dhyana):

    • Describes the four types of meditation: Artadhyana (sorrowful meditation), Raudra-dhyana (fierce/violent meditation), Dharma-dhyana (religious/virtuous meditation), and Shukla-dhyana (pure/spiritual meditation). Artadhyana and Raudra-dhyana lead to further bondage, while Dharma-dhyana and Shukla-dhyana lead to spiritual progress and liberation.

20. Six Substances (Dravya):

    • Explains the six fundamental, eternal, and core substances of the universe as per Jain metaphysics: Dharmastikaya (medium of motion), Adharmastikaya (medium of rest), Akashastikaya (space), Kalastikaya (time), Pudgalastikaya (matter), and Jivastikaya (soul/life).
    • Details the nature, characteristics, and functions of each substance.

21. Twofold Classification: Jiva and Ajiva (Rashi):

    • Reiterates the fundamental division of the universe into Jiva (conscious) and Ajiva (unconscious) substances. All six substances are ultimately categorized under these two primary classifications.

22. Twelve Vows of a Layperson (Shravak ke Barah Vrat):

    • Outlines the twelve vows that a Jain householder undertakes to limit their engagement in harmful activities and progress spiritually. These include the five minor vows (Anuvratas), three quality vows (Gunavratas), and four training vows (Shikshavratas).
    • Emphasizes the religious, social, and national importance of these vows.

23. Five Great Vows (Pancha Mahavrata):

    • Details the five stringent vows observed by Jain monks and nuns: Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truthfulness), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy/chastity), and Aparigraha (non-possession).

24. Forty-six Ways of Renunciation (Bhaga - 46):

    • Presents a detailed framework for practicing renunciation and controlling one's actions (mind, speech, body) through the concepts of "doing not," "causing not," and "approving not." This encompasses 46 specific renunciatory practices.

25. Five Types of Conduct (Charitra):

    • Describes the five stages of conduct or spiritual discipline: Samayika Charitra (equanimity), Chedopasthapya Charitra (re-establishment of conduct), Parihar-Vishuddhi Charitra (purification through specific practices), Sukshma-Samparaya Charitra (conduct with subtle passions), and Yathakhyata Charitra (perfect and natural conduct).

Appendices and Examination Structure:

• The book includes a section of "Pachis Bol: Adhar Sthal" which likely provides scriptural references or foundational verses for each principle.
• It also includes sample question papers from Jain Vidya Ratna examinations (First Year 1981, Second Year 1985, First Year 1980, Second Year 1984) covering these topics, indicating its use as an educational text.

Overall Purpose:

"Jiva Ajiva" by Acharya Mahapragna serves as a foundational text for understanding the core tenets of Jainism. It presents complex philosophical concepts in a structured and accessible manner, making it a valuable resource for students and seekers of Jain philosophy. The book aims to provide a clear and systematic exposition of the Jiva and Ajiva categories, which are central to the Jain path of liberation.