Jiva Jiva Bhigam Sutra - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, the Jiva Jiva Bhigam Sutra, based on the given pages:

The Jiva Jiva Bhigam Sutra, authored by Prakash Salecha, is a significant Jain text that primarily focuses on the distinction and detailed understanding of the Soul (Jiva) and the Non-Soul (Ajiva). While it touches upon Ajiva, its core emphasis is on the multifaceted nature and states of the Jiva. The text's name, Jiva Jiva Bhigam, signifies this comprehensive knowledge of both Jiva and Ajiva, with Jiva Bhigam being an alternative name highlighting the prominence of the Jiva discussion.

Core Purpose and Significance:

The Jiva Jiva Bhigam Sutra emphasizes that without understanding the fundamental difference between Jiva and Ajiva, true liberation (Moksha) is unattainable. This knowledge is crucial for any spiritual aspirant in Jainism, as it forms the basis of what is known as Bhed-Vigyan (discrimination between the self and the non-self). The sutra's teachings are presented as a detailed discussion between Lord Mahavir, the last Tirthankara of the current epoch, and his disciple Indrabhuti Gautam, addressing the various classifications and aspects of Jiva and Ajiva.

Key Components and Structure:

The sutra is structured into nine Pratipatthis (sections or chapters).

1. Ajiva (Non-Soul) Discussion: The initial discussion in the first Pratipatti briefly covers Ajiva, which is categorized into two types:

Rupi Ajiva (Material Non-Soul): This includes concepts like Skandha (aggregates), Desha (region/part), Pradesha (point), and Paramanu (atom). It can also be broadly categorized into five types based on its modifications: color, smell, taste, touch, and form.
Arupi Ajiva (Immaterial Non-Soul): This encompasses the Dharmastikaya (medium of motion), Adharmastikaya (medium of rest), Akashastikaya (space), and Kala (time).
- Dharmastikaya and Adharmastikaya: The text highlights these as unique Jain concepts, crucial for the movement and rest of Jiva and Pudgala (matter). Without them, the universe's order would collapse.
- Akashastikaya: This provides space for all other substances, without which nothing could exist or function.
- Kala: This is an objective substance that governs the duration of states and modifications.

2. Jiva (Soul) Discussion: The bulk of the sutra delves into the Jiva, particularly focusing on Jivas in the cycle of birth and death (Samsara). This is presented through the nine Pratipatthis, each offering different classifications of Jiva based on various perspectives (Vivaksha):

First Pratipatti: Classifies Jivas into Trasa (mobile) and Sthavara (immobile).
Second Pratipatti: Divides Jivas into Female, Male, and Neuter.
Third Pratipatti: Categorizes Jivas into Nairayika (hell-dwellers), Tiryanch Yonic (animal realm), Manushya (human), and Deva (celestial beings). It further details the seven hellish realms and their inhabitants, as well as the five types of Tiryanch (one-sensed to five-sensed beings) and two types of humans (spontaneously born and womb-born).
Fourth Pratipatti: Classifies Jivas into one-sensed, two-sensed, three-sensed, four-sensed, and five-sensed.
Fifth Pratipatti: Identifies six types of Jivas: Earth-bodied, Water-bodied, Fire-bodied, Air-bodied, Vegetation-bodied, and Trasa-bodied.
Sixth Pratipatti: Enumerates seven types of Jivas: Nairayika, Tiryanch (male), Tirashchi (female), Manushya (male), Manushi (female), Deva (male), and Devi (female).
Seventh Pratipatti: Lists eight types of Jivas, considering the time of their existence in their respective realms (e.g., first-time Nairayika, non-first-time Nairayika, etc.).
Eighth Pratipatti: Presents nine types of Jivas, encompassing the one-sensed to four-sensed beings and the realms of Nairayika, Tiryanch, Manushya, Deva, and Siddha (liberated souls).
Ninth Pratipatti: Outlines ten types of Jivas, again considering the temporal aspect of one-sensed to four-sensed beings, along with five-sensed beings and Atiindriya (beyond the senses).

The Nine Pratipatthis for Sarva Jiva (All Souls): Following the classifications of Samsara-bound souls, the text also presents nine classifications for Sarva Jiva, which includes both Samsara-bound and liberated souls. These provide a broader understanding of the Jiva in its entirety:

Two types: Siddha (liberated) and Asiddha (unenlightened/worldly).
Three types: Right-viewed, Wrong-viewed, and Mixed-viewed.
Four types: Mind-engaged, Speech-engaged, Body-engaged, and Activity-less.
Five types: Nairayika, Tiryanch, Manushya, Deva, and Siddha.
Six types: Based on different types of bodies (auditory, vacuous, nutritious, luminous, karmic) and the formless state.
Seven types: Earth-bodied, Water-bodied, Fire-bodied, Air-bodied, Vegetation-bodied, Sakkaya (with senses), and Akkaya (without senses).
Eight types: Based on knowledge (mati, shruta, avadhi, manahparyaya, kevala) and ignorance (mati-ajani, shruta-ajani, vibhanga).
Nine types: One-sensed, two-sensed, three-sensed, four-sensed, Nairayika, Tiryanch, Manushya, Deva, and Siddha.
Ten types: One-sensed to five-sensed beings, and Atiindriya.

Philosophical Underpinnings:

The Jiva Jiva Bhigam Sutra aligns with the Atmavada (Soul-centric) philosophy of Jainism. The soul (Jiva) is the central focus, and the entire system begins with self-enquiry and culminates in liberation. The text explains how the soul, through its association with passions like attachment and aversion (Raga-Dvesha), experiences various states of suffering, birth, and death across different life forms and realms.

Commentary and Legacy:

The original text is estimated to be around 4750 Shlokas (verses). It has been extensively commented upon by Acharya Malayagiri, whose commentary is a massive 14,000 Shlokas long. This commentary is crucial for making the profound meanings of the sutra accessible to the common populace, highlighting the depth of Jain philosophical thought.

In essence, the Jiva Jiva Bhigam Sutra is an indispensable text for anyone seeking to understand the fundamental principles of Jain philosophy, particularly the nature of the soul and its journey through various existences, with the ultimate goal of achieving liberation.