Jivajivabhigama Sutra Part 02 - Book Summary

The provided text is the second part of the Jivajivabhigama Sutra, focusing on treatises 3 through 9, compiled and edited by Nemichand Banthiya and Parasmal Chandaliya, and published by Shri Akhil Bharatiya Sudharm Jain Sanskriti Rakshak Sangh, Jodhpur Branch. The text is divided into nine sections, or "Pratipattis," each delving into specific aspects of Jain philosophy and cosmology.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the key themes and content covered in the provided text:

Overall Purpose and Introduction:

The text is presented as the 107th jewel in the "Agam Battisi Prakasha Yogna" of the Akhil Bharatiya Sudharm Jain Sanskriti Rakshak Sangh.
It emphasizes the foundational principle of Jainism: the teachings of the omniscient and omnipotent Tirthankaras, whose words are considered eternal, immutable, and beneficial to all living beings.
The introduction highlights the ultimate goal of Jainism: self-realization through spiritual endeavor, leading to liberation (moksha) from the cycle of birth and death.
It explains the classification of Jain Agamas into Angas, Upangas, Mula, and Chheda, and positions the Jivajivabhigama Sutra as the third Upanga.
The sutra's author is identified as Sthavir Bhagwant, who compiled it based on the Tirthankaras' teachings.

Summary of the Nine Pratipattis (Treatises/Sections):

The Jivajivabhigama Sutra, Part 02, is structured around nine sections, each exploring different facets of living beings (Jiva) and non-living entities (Ajeeva) within the Jain framework:

Pratipatti 1: Classification of Living Beings (Jiva and Ajeeva):
- Introduces the fundamental dichotomy of Jiva (soul) and Ajeeva (non-soul).
- Explains that all phenomena in the universe fall into these two categories.
- Defines the concept of the soul (Atma) as the central focus of Jain philosophy, with the ultimate aim being its realization and liberation from worldly attachments (vibhava-dasha).
Pratipatti 2: Division of Living Beings by Vedas (Gender/Sensuality):
- Classifies living beings based on the three types of 'Vedas' (gender/sensual inclination): female, male, and neuter.
- Details the characteristics, lifespan, dwelling places, and subtleties (alpabahutva) of beings in each category across different life-forms (Nirayika, Tiryancha, Manushya, Deva).
- Compares the intensity of these 'Vedas' to natural phenomena like forest fires and conflagrations.
Pratipatti 3: Detailed Description of Different Realms (Naraka, Tiryancha, Manushya, Deva) and Cosmography:
- This is described as the most extensive section.
- Naraka Realm: Describes the seven hellish realms, their dimensions, internal structures, characteristics (color, smell, taste, touch), and the suffering endured by the inhabitants.
- Tiryancha Realm: Classifies Tiryancha beings from one-sensed (ekendriya) to five-sensed (panchendriya), detailing their various classifications based on lifespan, senses, states of existence (gati), species (jati), modes of action (yoga), perception (upayoga), etc.
- Manushya Realm: Elaborates on different types of human beings, including those in Karmabhumi (land of action), Akarmabhumi (land of inaction), and Antardveepa (inland islands).
- Deva Realm: Describes the four classes of celestial beings: Bhavanvasi (dwellers of subterranean mansions), Vanavyantara (dwellers of forests/mid-regions), Jyotishka (celestial lights), and Vaimanika (dwellers of aerial mansions). It details their abodes, assemblies, Indra, Samanika, etc.
- Cosmography: Provides a detailed description of the island continents (dveepa) and oceans (samudra), including Jambu-dvipa, Lavaṇa-samudra, Dhataki-khanda, Kāloda-samudra, Pushkaravara-dvipa, Manushyottara mountain, and others, along with their characteristics and scale.
Pratipatti 4: Classification by Senses (Ekendriya to Panchendriya):
- Divides living beings into five categories based on the number of senses possessed: one-sensed, two-sensed, three-sensed, four-sensed, and five-sensed.
- Discusses their respective lifespans, temporal existence, and relative population sizes (alpabahutva).
Pratipatti 5: Classification by Life-Form Types (Earth-bodied to Tiryancha):
- Categorizes living beings into six types: Earth-bodied (Prithvikaya), Water-bodied (Apkaya), Fire-bodied (Teukaya), Air-bodied (Vayukaya), Plant-bodied (Vanaspatikaya), and Mobile (Traskaya).
- Details their lifespans, temporal existence, and relative population sizes.
- Also discusses Nigoda beings, their lifespan, and relative population.
Pratipatti 6: Classification by Life Stages (Nairayika to Devi):
- Divides beings into seven categories: Nairayika (hell-beings), Tiryancha (lower beings), Tiryanchini (female lower beings), Manushya (human males), Manushya-ini (human females), Deva (celestial males), and Devi (celestial females).
- Explains their lifespans, existence, and relative population.
Pratipatti 7: Classification by Time of Existence (First Moment to Non-First Moment):
- Categorizes beings based on their temporal existence: first moment Nairayika, non-first moment Nairayika, first moment Tiryancha, non-first moment Tiryancha, and so on, up to first moment Deva and non-first moment Deva.
- Discusses their lifespans and relative population.
Pratipatti 8: Classification by Senses and Life-forms (Ekendriya to Panchendriya, with additional categories):
- Classifies beings into nine categories: five types of stationary beings (Ekendriya to Vanaspatikaya) and four types of mobile beings (two-sensed to five-sensed) excluding the five stationary ones, creating a set of nine categories.
- Details their lifespans and relative population.
Pratipatti 9: Classification by Time of Existence (First Moment to Non-First Moment across all categories):
- Divides beings into ten categories: first moment-one-sensed to first moment five-sensed, and non-first moment one-sensed to non-first moment five-sensed.
- Explains their lifespans and relative population.

Key Concepts Discussed:

Jiva and Ajeeva: The fundamental dualistic ontology of Jainism.
Soul (Atma): The central concept, its nature, and the path to liberation.
Karmas: The role of karma in shaping the soul's journey through various births and deaths.
Causality: The principle that actions (karma) have consequences.
Cosmology: The detailed description of the universe, including hellish realms (Narakas), celestial realms (Devas), island continents (Dveepas), and oceans (Samudras).
Rebirth: The transmigration of the soul from one life to another.
Alpabahutva: The concept of relative quantities or population sizes of different categories of beings.
Lifespan (Sthiti): The duration of existence in different realms and life-forms.
Devas: Detailed descriptions of various classes of celestial beings, including their abodes, lifespans, powers, and social structures (e.g., Indras, Samanikas, Pariṣadas).
Rebirth Cycles: The text delves into the classifications and transmigrations of souls across different species and realms.
Incorporeal Nature of Soul: Despite the detailed descriptions of various physical manifestations, the text ultimately points towards the soul's true, formless nature.

Significance and Study:

The Jivajivabhigama Sutra is considered an important text for understanding the Jain perspective on the nature of life, the structure of the universe, and the principles of karma and liberation. It provides a comprehensive classification of all existing phenomena from a Jain philosophical standpoint. The detailed descriptions, especially in the third Pratipatti, offer a glimpse into the intricate Jain cosmology. The text also highlights the Jain emphasis on non-violence (ahimsa) by detailing the sentience even in stationary beings (Sthavara), thus extending compassion to all forms of life.