Kalashamrut Part 2 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Kalashamrut Part 2" by Kanjiswami, based on the Hindi content:

Overall Purpose:

This book, "Kalashamrut Part 2," is a collection of profound spiritual discourses (Pravachans) by the revered Jain saint, Pujya Gurudevshri Kanji Swami. These discourses, originally delivered in Gujarati and presented here in a translated format, focus on interpreting and elucidating key Jain philosophical concepts found in the scriptures, particularly relating to the "Ajiva Adhikar" (Discourse on Non-living Matter) and "Karta Karma Adhikar" (Discourse on Doer and Deed) from the Samaysar scripture. The primary aim is to guide the reader towards self-realization and liberation by distinguishing the true Self (Soul) from the non-Self (body, karma, emotions, etc.) and understanding the true nature of action and agency.

Key Themes and Concepts:

The discourses delve deeply into core Jain principles, emphasizing:

Discrimination between Self (Soul) and Non-Self (Ajiva):
- The Soul (Jiva): The soul is described as pure, sentient, conscious, unchanging, eternal, and inherently blissful. It is characterized by knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy. It is the true Self, the seer and knower, intrinsically pure and untouched by external qualities.
- The Non-Self (Ajiva): This encompasses everything that is not the soul. The text elaborates on various aspects of the non-self:
  - Matter (Pudgala): This includes the physical body, speech, mind, senses, and even external possessions like money and property. It is described as inert, non-sentient, and subject to change and destruction.
  - Karma: Karmic matter, both gross (dravya karma) and subtle (bhava karma) in the form of emotions like attachment (raag), aversion (dvesh), delusion (moha), anger, pride, deceit, and greed, are emphatically identified as non-self (ajiva). Even seemingly virtuous actions like charity, vows, austerities, and devotion are categorized as subtle forms of non-self (raag) and are not the true path to liberation.
  - Other Non-Soul Substances: Dharma (principle of motion), Adharma (principle of rest), Akash (space), and Kala (time) are also discussed as non-soul substances (ajiva).
- The Importance of Discrimination (Bhed Gyan): The central theme is the absolute necessity of discerning the Self from the non-self. This discernment is not merely intellectual but experiential. The discourses highlight that mistaking the non-self (body, emotions, karmic matter) for the Self is the root cause of suffering and transmigration (samsara).
The Nature of Action and Agency (Karta-Karma):
- The Soul as Non-Doer (Akarta): A profound emphasis is placed on the soul's inherent nature as a non-doer. The soul, by its very essence, is pure consciousness and bliss. It does not perform actions in the worldly sense, nor is it the doer of karmic actions or the resulting states of mind (raag, dvesh).
- The Illusion of Agency: The discourses explain that the soul's identification with the body, senses, and mind creates the illusion of agency. When the soul mistakenly believes, "I am doing this action," or "This emotion is mine," it binds itself to the cycle of karma and suffering. The true Self, being the pure knower and seer, remains untouched by the actions and experiences of the non-self.
- Karma as Non-Self's Action: Karmic actions and their resultant states (raag, dvesh, etc.) are shown to be modifications of matter (pudgala) or subtle modifications of the soul that are ultimately considered non-soul (ajiva) due to their impure and transient nature. The soul's pure essence is consciousness and bliss, and these karmic states are alien to its true nature.
- The Role of Causality: The text clarifies that while there's a conventional relationship (vyavahar) where actions seem to occur, the fundamental reality (nishchay) is that the soul is not the doer of these external or internal modifications. The soul's true nature is untouched by the actions of matter or the modifications of karma. The responsibility for the soul's state lies within its own understanding and focus.
The Path to Self-Realization (Moksha Marg):
- Right Faith, Knowledge, and Conduct (Samyak Darshan, Gyan, Charitra): The discourses guide the reader towards the path of liberation, which begins with right faith (Samyak Darshan) – the direct experience and realization of the true Self. This is followed by right knowledge (Samyak Gyan) and right conduct (Samyak Charitra) which are natural expressions of this realization.
- The Importance of Discernment: The discourses stress the critical importance of discerning the true nature of the soul from the non-soul. This discernment, powered by right knowledge, is likened to a saw (karvat) that cuts through the illusion of self and non-self.
- Freedom from Attachment and Agency: True spiritual liberation (moksha) is achieved by shedding the illusion of agency (karta bhav) and attachment to the non-self. This involves understanding that the soul is not the doer of actions and does not experience the consequences of karma directly. The soul is merely the witness.
- Focus on the Pure Self: The ultimate aim is to shift one's focus from external actions and worldly possessions (which are ultimately non-soul) to the pure, unchanging, and blissful nature of the Self.

Key Analogies and Examples:

The discourses employ several powerful analogies to explain complex philosophical concepts:

Ghee Pot (Ghi no ghado): A pot containing ghee is called a "ghee pot," but the pot itself is made of clay. Similarly, calling the soul by names associated with its states (like "passionate soul" or "soul involved in rituals") does not make the soul that way. The soul's true essence remains pure consciousness.
Saffron and Cotton (Kesar and Kapus): The example of cotton fibers within saffron illustrates that even though seemingly mixed, the essence of saffron remains distinct from the outer covering. Similarly, the soul's core essence is distinct from the subtle karmic conditions (raag, etc.).
The Saw (Karvat): The intellect, when sharpened by spiritual inquiry and right discrimination, acts like a saw, cutting through the attachment to the non-self and revealing the true Self.
The Deer and the Mirage (Mrigtrushna): The deer runs towards a mirage mistaking it for water, driven by thirst. Similarly, the unenlightened soul, driven by ignorance, pursues fleeting worldly pleasures (raag, karma, wealth) believing them to be the source of happiness, while the true source of bliss (the soul's nature) lies within.
The Unmoving Ocean and the Waves: The ocean is fundamentally stable, but waves are temporary disturbances caused by external factors (wind). Similarly, the soul's true nature is unmoving consciousness, while worldly experiences and emotions are temporary disturbances.

Author and Publisher Information:

The book is attributed to Kanjiswami, published by Shri Digambar Jain Swadhyay Mandir Trust, Rajkot, India. The text also mentions the initial electronic version was donated by the trust and made available online, indicating a collaborative effort for spiritual dissemination.

Overall Message:

The book "Kalashamrut Part 2" serves as a spiritual guide, urging readers to look beyond the external world of actions, possessions, and emotions, and to recognize their true, eternal, and blissful soul. It emphasizes self-inquiry, discrimination, and detachment from the non-self as the path to lasting peace and liberation. The discourses are presented with the intention of bringing about a profound inner transformation and guiding individuals towards the ultimate spiritual goal.