Jivanvarta Lakhwama Sankoch Kem

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Jivanvarta Lakhwama Sankoch Kem?" by Sukhlal Sanghavi, based on the provided excerpt:

The author, Sukhlal Sanghavi, explains his hesitation to write his autobiography. His primary reasons are rooted in a sense of inadequacy and a commitment to Jain principles:

• Inability to fully embody principles: He feels he falls short of living up to the Jain principles of aparigraha (non-possession) and jivanshuddhi (purity of life). This personal realization makes him reluctant to share his life story.

• Concerns about the nature of his narrative:

  • Comparison to great figures: He feels it would be arrogant to publish his "commonplace" life story when narratives of great, enlightened individuals are already available.
  • Lack of faithful reflection: He believes that a one-sided account, without a true and complete reflection of his life, would be ultimately futile and even counterproductive.
  • ** Superficial trends:** He observes a growing trend of writing autobiographies merely for the sake of imitation, leading to reading that offers only superficial entertainment.
  • Incompleteness and lack of utility: He admits that his written accounts may have omitted or distorted facts, and some parts might not be useful to the reader. He believes that the remaining, unwritten parts might actually be more beneficial. He also feels his predominantly descriptive writing style doesn't reveal the underlying principles and insights.

• The importance of motive and consistency: Sanghavi emphasizes that a true autobiography should reveal the driving motivations behind each event, creating a cohesive narrative. Without this, the account lacks unity and purpose. This is why his previous attempts remained unsatisfactory and unpublished, leading to statements like "What's the hurry?" and "I haven't fixed the method; I will write after fixing it and meeting."

Despite his reservations, Sanghavi offers a guiding principle for writing such accounts:

• Authenticity and simplicity: If one is determined to write their autobiography, it should be done without exaggeration (atyukti) or ostentation (aadambar). The narrative should simply portray the natural flow of everyday life.

Sanghavi then reflects on his own life's driving force:

• The pursuit of knowledge: He acknowledges that while there might be negligence and laxity in other aspects of his life, he has consistently strived to fulfill his jijnasa (curiosity) and pursue various branches of knowledge to the best of his ability. This pursuit of knowledge has been the primary motivation for all his actions.

• Impact of learning on worldview: This lifelong pursuit of knowledge has led to a re-evaluation of his understanding of religion, society, and humanity. What he once considered important and worth pursuing, he now views as narrow or even objectionable.

• Independent thought: This process has also driven him to think independently on subjects like sects, denominations, castes, and scriptures, leading to the formation of some stable and clear perspectives. He finds this independent thinking a source of at least partial satisfaction.

In conclusion, Sanghavi suggests:

• Focus on verifiable facts: If writing is unavoidable, it should be based on factual accounts, keeping the underlying principles in mind.
• Limited scope of his own writing: He states that he has only "sketched" some parts of his life up to around 1920, and nothing significant afterward.
• A request for essence, not just events: He mentions that an elder figure (referred to as "Kaka") has been urging him to write for years, recently asking for a distillation of his life as a philosopher rather than a mere factual account. While a similar piece by the elder in "Sanskruti" is cited as an example, Sanghavi has discussed his own perspective with him to clarify the approach.
• Postponement of a full autobiography: Consequently, a continuous autobiography remains postponed. Sanghavi reiterates that he has shared his limitations and the need for authenticity and simplicity, as suggested by others who advocate for brevity.

In essence, the text explores the author's internal conflict between the desire to share his life and the rigorous standards he holds for authentic and meaningful spiritual and intellectual autobiography, emphasizing the importance of sincerity, the pursuit of knowledge, and the avoidance of superficiality.