Jivthi Shiv Taraf - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jivthi Shiv Taraf" (From Soul to Shiva), authored by Kulchandrasuri, based on the provided text:

Book Title: Jivthi Shiv Taraf (From Soul to Shiva) Author: Acharya Shri Shrimad Vijay Kulchandrasurishwarji M.S.

Overall Purpose and Theme: The book "Jivthi Shiv Taraf" is a Jain scripture that aims to guide individuals from the state of being a worldly soul (Jiva) to the state of liberation or ultimate spiritual perfection (Shiva). It achieves this by providing detailed knowledge about various life forms, their characteristics, and the path towards spiritual upliftment, emphasizing the core Jain principle of Ahimsa (non-violence).

Key Concepts and Content:

Author and Legacy: The book is attributed to the highly respected Jain monk, Acharya Shri Shrimad Vijay Kulchandrasurishwarji M.S., who is described as a propagator of faith and a vast repository of knowledge. The text also acknowledges the inspiration and guidance of his guru, Acharya Shri Shrimad Vijay Premsurishwarji M.S.
The Goal: Moksha (Liberation): The central aim is to attain Moksha, the ultimate spiritual goal. The book suggests that to achieve this, one must first understand the nature of all souls and non-soul substances. It emphasizes the practice of Ahimsa and the disciplined life of a monk (Sanyam Jeevan) as the path to securing this liberation.
Understanding the Soul (Jiva):
- Nature of the Universe: The universe is described as a collection of soul (Jiva) and non-soul (Ajiva) substances, eternal and infinite.
- Existence of the Soul: The book addresses skepticism about the soul, arguing that the direct experience of knowledge, happiness, and other qualities within oneself points to a substratum, a "possessor of qualities" (Guni Dravya), which cannot be a physical entity.
- Proof of the Soul: The existence of the soul is supported by:
  - Pratyaksha Praman (Direct Perception): The continuous sense of "I" across past, present, and future experiences, which remains unchanged even as the body transforms.
  - Anuman Praman (Inference): Just as served food implies a consumer, the body, senses, and limbs imply a user or enjoyer, which is the soul.
  - Aagam Praman (Scriptural Authority): Quotes from scriptures like the Agamas and Upanishads are used to validate the soul's non-material nature and the importance of realizing it.
- Characteristics of the Soul: The soul is described as formless, without attributes, eternal, possessing infinite knowledge, perception, conduct, and bliss. Each soul is individual, not a universal soul.
- Souls' Location and Substance: Souls reside in the universe (Loka) and touch the boundaries of the non-universe (Aloka).
- Types of Souls: Souls are broadly classified into two categories:
  - Mukta (Liberated): Souls who are completely free from the bondage of eight types of karma and have attained the state of Siddha (perfected beings).
  - Sansari (Worldly): Souls bound by karma and transmigrating through different states of existence (Deva, Manushya, Tiryanchan).
Classification of Worldly Souls (Sansari Jiva):
- Primary Division: Worldly souls are divided into two main types:
  - Sthavar (Stationary/One-sensed): Souls that remain fixed and do not move voluntarily. They have only the sense of touch.
  - Trasa (Mobile/Multi-sensed): Souls that can move voluntarily and have more than one sense organ.
- Classification by Senses: Both Sthavar and Trasa souls are further classified based on the number of senses they possess:
  - Ekendriya (One-sensed): Possessing only the sense of touch (Sthavar).
  - Dvi-indriya (Two-sensed): Touch and taste.
  - Tri-indriya (Three-sensed): Touch, taste, and smell.
  - Chau-indriya (Four-sensed): Touch, taste, smell, and sight.
  - Panch-indriya (Five-sensed): Touch, taste, smell, sight, and hearing.
Detailed Description of Life Forms:
- Sthavar Jiva (One-sensed Souls):
  - Five Types: Earth-bodied (Prithvi Kay), Water-bodied (Apo Kay), Fire-bodied (Teo Kay), Air-bodied (Vayu Kay), and Vegetation-bodied (Vanaspati Kay).
  - Subtle and Gross Forms: Each of these has subtle (Sukshma) and gross (Badar) forms, with subtle forms being omnipresent and invisible to the naked eye.
  - Vanaspati Kay: Special emphasis is placed on Vegetation souls, particularly the "Nigod" form where one body can house infinite souls. Distinction is made between "Pratyek Vaspati" (each vegetation soul in its own body) and "Sadharan Vaspati" (shared bodies, like Nigod).
  - Number of Forms: There are 11 main categories of Sthavar souls (5 types x 2 forms, plus Pratyek Vaspati), which become 22 when considering the "Paryapta" (fully developed) and "Aparayapta" (underdeveloped) states.
- Trasa Jiva (Multi-sensed Souls):
  - Four Types: Dvi-indriya, Tri-indriya, Chau-indriya, and Panch-indriya.
  - Vikalendriya: Dvi, Tri, and Chau-indriya are collectively called Vikalendriya.
  - Panch-indriya: These are further divided into four categories:
    - Naraka (Hellish Beings): Dwelling in seven hellish planes, experiencing intense suffering. Their existence is characterized by three types of pain: inflicted by the environment, by other Naraka beings, and by specific deities (Paramadhāmi).
    - Tiryanchan (Sub-human Beings): This broad category includes aquatic (Jalchar), terrestrial (Sthalchar), and aerial (Khechar) beings. They are further divided based on habitat and modes of locomotion. There are 20 types of Panch-indriya Tiryanchan.
    - Manushya (Humans): Living in the Manushyaloka (human realm), which spans two and a half continents and two oceans. The text describes the geography of the universe (Lok) in detail, including the three realms (Adholok, Tiryaklok, Urdhvalok) and the structure of continents and oceans. Humans are further classified into Aryas and Anaryas, and there are 303 sub-categories of humans, considering their origin (Garbhaj/Samurchhim) and developmental stages (Paryapta/Aparayapta). The text also discusses the concept of Karmabhumi (land of action, leading to liberation) and Akarmabhumi (land of enjoyment).
    - Deva (Celestial Beings): Dwelling in various heavenly realms. They are categorized into four main groups: Bhavanpati, Vyantara, Jyotishka, and Vaimanika. Each category has numerous sub-types, detailed with their respective lifespans, abodes, and characteristics. Vaimanika beings are further divided into Kalpopapanna (with hierarchical structures) and Kalpatita (without such structures).
Key Biological and Cosmological Concepts:
- Avagahana (Body Size/Height): The physical dimension of beings, from the infinitesimal to very large proportions, is discussed for each category.
- Ayushya (Lifespan): The duration of life for each category of beings is described, ranging from very short (Antarmuhurta) to incredibly long (Sagaropama, Kotakoti Paliyopama). The text elaborates on the time units (Samaya, Avalika, Muhurta, Paliyopama, Sagaropama, etc.) and the vast cosmic cycles (Utsarpini, Avasarpini, Kalachakra, Pudgal Paravarta).
- Kayasthiti (Continuity of Existence in a Particular Form): The concept of repeatedly taking birth in the same form or category of existence.
- Prana (Life Force/Vitality): The essential components that sustain life, divided into Bhavapran (inherent qualities of the soul) and Dravyapran (physical and mental vitalities), totaling ten for fully developed Panch-indriya beings.
- Yoni Praman (Reproductive Organs/Origin): The diverse means of reproduction and the number of reproductive "yoni" for different life forms.
The Ultimate State: Siddha (Liberated Soul):
- The book concludes by describing the state of Siddha souls – beings who have achieved liberation.
- Characteristics of Siddhas: They have no physical body, lifespan, or vital forces in the worldly sense. They are eternal, free from karma and suffering, possess infinite knowledge and bliss, and reside in the Moksha Loka at the crown of the universe. They are described as pure, eternal, and supremely blissful beings.
Call to Action:
- The book urges readers to strive for the understanding and practice of Jain dharma. It emphasizes that by acquiring knowledge of the soul and practicing Ahimsa and compassion, one can work towards achieving the liberated state of the Siddhas. The ultimate message is to seek the path of righteousness and attain spiritual perfection.

In essence, "Jivthi Shiv Taraf" is a detailed and systematic treatise on Jain cosmology, ontology, and ethics, aiming to educate the reader about the diverse forms of life and the ultimate spiritual goal, encouraging a life of righteousness and compassion.