Kamma Battisi

Added to library: September 2, 2025

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First page of Kamma Battisi

Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Kamma Battisi" by Kalyankirtivijay, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Kamma Battisi (कम्मबत्तीसी) Author(s): Muni Kalyankirtivijay (written as "सं. मुनि कल्याणकीर्तिविजय" which likely means "Compiled by Muni Kalyankirtivijay") Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan (ZZ_अनुसंधान) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/229551/1

Overall Purpose and Content:

"Kamma Battisi" is a Jain text written in Prakrit, structured into thirty-two verses (गाथाबद्ध प्राकृतभाषामय). Its primary purpose is to explain the nature of the eight primary karmas and their 158 sub-karmas (उत्तरप्रकृतिओ), detailing their utkrushta (highest/peak) and jaghanya (lowest/minimal) durations (स्थितिनुं स्वरूप).

Key Themes and Information:

  • Focus on Karmas: The text systematically addresses the types of karmas and their constituent parts.

  • Prakrit Language: The verses are composed in Prakrit, a classical language of Jainism.

  • Comparison with other Texts: The summary on Page 1 highlights that the principles presented in "Kamma Battisi" are largely consistent with the "Navya Pancham Karma Granth" (नव्य पंचम कर्मग्रंथ) by Acharya Devendrasuri, though some differences exist.

  • Specific Karma Details (as illustrated in the provided verses):

    • Page 1 (Summary/Introduction):

      • It mentions that the book covers the eight primary karmas and 158 sub-karmas, along with their highest and lowest durations.
      • It notes a comparison with the "Pancham Karma Granth" regarding the duration of karma binding. A specific table is presented showing differences for:
        • Sata Vedaniya (Pleasant Feeling): 15 Kodakodi Sagaropama (highest), 30 Kodakodi Sagaropama (lowest) - Note: This seems reversed or potentially a typo as lowest is usually less than highest. The text states " स्थितिबंध १. सातावेदनीय १५ कोडा कोडी सागरोपम ३० कोडा कोडी सागरोपम" which could imply the highest duration is 30 and lowest is 15, or vice versa depending on interpretation.
        • Neelavarna Nama (Blue-colored Name Karma): 17 Kodakodi Sagaropama (highest), 17 Kodakodi Sagaropama (lowest)
        • Katu Rasa Nama (Bitter-tasting Name Karma): 173 Kodakodi Sagaropama (highest), 173 Kodakodi Sagaropama (lowest)
        • Uchcha Gotra (High Clan/Status): 10 Kodakodi Sagaropama (highest), 20 Kodakodi Sagaropama (lowest)
      • The author of this specific treatise is identified as Upadhyay Shri Bhanulabdhimuni, a disciple of Upadhyay Shri Purnalabdhi. The date of composition is not known.
    • Verse 1 (Opening):

      • It begins with salutations to the Siddhas (सिद्धों नमुक्कारं) and states its purpose is to explain the nature of the eight karmas (अट्ठकम्माण पयडि-ठिय(ई) वुच्छं).
      • It aims to enlighten beings (जीवाण बोहणत्थं) and extricate them from all suffering (सब्बे(व्व)दुक्खाण उद्धरणं).
    • Verses 2-26 (Detailed Karma Breakdown): These verses go into specifics about the various karmas:

      • Jnanavaraniya (Knowledge-obscuring Karma): 30 sub-karmas, each with a duration of 30 Kodakodi Sagaropama ( Verse 2).
      • Darshanavaraniya (Perception-obscuring Karma): 9 sub-karmas, each with a duration of 30 Kodakodi Sagaropama (Verse 3).
      • Vedaniya (Feeling Karma): Two sub-karmas (Sata and Asata - Pleasant and Unpleasant), each with a duration of 30 Kodakodi Sagaropama (Verse 4).
      • Mohaniya (Delusion Karma): 28 sub-karmas. Mithyatva (Incorrect belief), Mishra (Mixed belief) have durations of 70 Kodakodi Sagaropama (Verse 5). The 16 types of Kasaayas (passions) have a duration of 40 Kodakodi Sagaropama. Haas (laughter), Rati (liking) have 10 Kodakodi Sagaropama. The remaining four have 20 Kodakodi Sagaropama. Pud-veya (masculine passion), Stri-veya (feminine passion), Napunsaka-veya (neuter passion) have durations of 10, 15, and 20 Kodakodi Sagaropama respectively (Verses 6 & 7).
      • Ayu (Life-span Karma): Four types (Naraka - hellish beings, Suru - celestial beings, Tiriyanch - animals, Manushya - humans). Naraka and Suru beings have durations of 33 Kodakodi Sagaropama. Tiriyanch and Manushya beings have durations of 1 Palya (a very long period of time) (Verse 8).
      • Nama (Name Karma): This is described as having 100 sub-karmas. It details durations for various forms like Naraka (20), Tiriyanch (10), Deva (15), Manushya (8). It also mentions durations for single-sensed beings (18), two-to-four-sensed beings (18), five-sensed beings (20), Urdhva Vaikriy (body-building, 20), Aharak (digestive, 20), Tejas (radiant, 20), Angopanga (limbs and body parts, 20), Sansthata (body structure, 20), Bandhana (binding, 15), Samghata (combination, 15). Specific durations are given for various types of Bandhana (Binding) and Samghata (Combination) karmas, often in Kodakodi Sagaropama or Muhurta (a unit of time). For example, the seven types of body structures (Samsthana) have durations ranging from 10 to 20 Kodakodi Sagaropama. Color (Varna), Smell (Gandha), Taste (Rasa), Touch (Sparsha) karmas also have specific durations listed, with many in the 10-20 Kodakodi Sagaropama range (Verses 9-26).
      • Goti (Status/Lineage Karma): Uchchgoti (High status) and Nichcha Goti (Low status) have durations of 20 Kodakodi Sagaropama each (Verse 27).
      • Vighna Karma (Obstacle Karma): Five sub-karmas, with a duration of 30 Kodakodi Sagaropama (Verse 27).
    • Verse 28 (Summary of Karmas): It states that a total of 158 sub-karmas have been described, compiled by Muni Bhanulabdhi, the disciple of Upadhyay Purnalabdhi.

    • Verse 29 (Highest Duration): It clarifies that the durations described for all these sub-karmas are their highest (utkrushta) durations. It also states that a soul, while experiencing these, never truly falls into a state of complete inactivity (not experiencing any karma at all).

    • Verses 30-31 (Lowest Duration): These verses discuss the lowest (jaghanya) durations.

      • Vedaniya (Pleasant and Unpleasant) has a lowest duration of 12 Muhurta.
      • Nama and Gotra karmas have a lowest duration of 8 Muhurta.
      • The lowest duration for other karmas is 1 Muhurta. The text mentions that these Guru-Laghu (high-low) durations are explained as per the scriptures.
    • Verse 32 (Conclusion and Salutation): It concludes by praising and saluting those souls who, by exhausting all types of karmas, have attained liberation (Siddhi) (खविऊण सिद्ध(द्धि) पत्ता नमो नमो ताण सिद्धाणं).

In essence, "Kamma Battisi" provides a detailed, verse-by-verse enumeration of the vast array of sub-karmas within Jainism, specifying their maximum and minimum time-spans of bondage. It serves as a crucial reference for understanding the intricate mechanisms of karma and its impact on the soul's journey towards liberation.