Karmagrantha Part 3 Bandh Swamitva Nama Tika

The provided text is the third part of the Karmagrantha series, titled "Bandh Swamitva Nama Tika," authored by Devendrasuri and Abhayshekharsuri, with commentary by Dhirajlal D. Mehta. Published by Jain Dharm Prasaran Trust, Surat, in 1996.

The book is a detailed exploration of Jain karmic principles, specifically focusing on "Bandh Swamitva" (Ownership of Bondage). It aims to explain which karmic natures (Prakriti) are bound by beings in different states of existence, classified across 62 "Marganas" (categories of inquiry) and 14 stages of spiritual development (Gunasthanas).

Here's a breakdown of the content based on the provided pages:

Core Subject:

• Bandh Swamitva: The central theme is understanding who binds which karmic natures. It delves into the details of karmic bondage across various conditions of life and spiritual progress.
• 62 Marganas and 14 Gunasthanas: The book systematically analyzes karmic bondage through the lens of 62 classifications, such as permutations of the 14 basic classifications (like gati - realm of existence, indriya - sense organs, kaya - body type, etc.). This analysis is done for each of the 14 Gunasthanas (spiritual stages).
• Detailed Karmic Analysis: It goes beyond just naming the karmic natures, explaining the nuances of their bondage in relation to specific conditions and spiritual progress.

Key Features and Content:

1. Structure: The book is presented in Gujarati and includes:

   • Original verses (Mulagaathao) in Prakrit/Apabhramsa.
   • Sanskrit translation (Sanskrit Chhaya).
   • Word-for-word meaning (Shabdartha).
   • Verse meaning (Gaathartha).
   • Detailed commentary and elucidation (Upayogi Vivechan).
   • Questions and answers (Upayogi Prashnottari).

2. Authorship and Commentary:

   • Author of the original verses: Acharya Devendrasuri, a disciple of Acharya Jagchandrasuri.
   • Researcher/Editor of the commentary: Muni Shri Abhayshekh Vijayji.
   • Commentator/Elucidator: Pandit Dhirajlal D. Mehta.

3. Content Breakdown (from the introductory pages and verses):

   • Introduction: The book starts with mangalacharan (auspicious invocation) of Lord Mahavir. It aims to clarify the complex topic of karmic bondage across 62 Marganas.
   • 14 Mul Marganas: The text explicitly lists and defines the 14 fundamental Marganas: Gati (realm), Indriya (sense organs), Kaya (body), Yoga (activity of mind, speech, body), Veda (tendencies related to gender), Kashaya (passions), Jnana (knowledge), Samyama (restraint), Darshana (perception), Leshya (subtle colorations of the soul), Bhavya (potential for liberation), Samyaktva (right faith), Sangni (sentience), and Aahari (consumption of sustenance). It also clarifies that for comprehensive analysis, opposing categories (like Ajnana for Jnana, Asanyama for Samyama, Mithyatva for Samyaktva, etc.) are also considered within these Marganas.
   • Karmic Nature Listing: Verses 3 and 4 list specific karmic natures that are often excluded or modified in bondage across different states. This list includes Jinanamakarma, Devagatis, Vaikriya complexes, Aharaka complexes, Ayushya karmas (Deva, Manushya, Niryanka, Tiryancho), qualities of Tiryanch and Manushya beings, and various types of complexes (Sanghanana, Samsthana), Gatis (Niraya, Tiryanche, Manushya), and Leshyas. This serves as a code or shorthand for the later analysis.
   • Analysis of Marganas: The subsequent verses (5-25) then begin to detail the Bandh Swamitva for specific Marganas, starting with Narakagati (hellish beings), followed by Tiryanchagati (animal realm), Manushyagati (human realm), Devagati (celestial beings), Indriya Marganas, Kaya Marganas, Yoga Marganas, Veda Marganas, Kashaya Marganas, and Leshya Marganas.
   • Focus on Specifics: The text meticulously details how many karmic natures are bound in each Gunasthana for beings in different Marganas. It often refers back to the previous "Karmastava" (the second book in the series) for general principles of bondage (Ogha Bandh) and then specifies exceptions or additions relevant to the current Margana.
   • Examples of Analysis: For instance, it discusses the number of bound karmas for beings in the first three hellish realms, then for the next three, and then for the seventh hellish realm, highlighting differences in bondage for each. Similarly, it differentiates between beings in different heavenly realms and the implications for their karmic bondage. It also delves into the complexities of beings in different states of perfections (Paryapti) and the stages of spiritual development.

Purpose and Significance:

The "Bandh Swamitva Nama Tika" is a crucial text for serious Jain scholars and practitioners interested in the intricate science of karma. It provides a systematic and comprehensive understanding of how karmic forces operate across the vast spectrum of existence and spiritual evolution, which is fundamental for understanding the path to liberation (Moksha). The detailed commentary and questions/answers make the complex subject matter accessible.

The book's emphasis on referencing the previous work, "Karmastava," suggests a progressive learning approach within the Karmagrantha series. The extensive detail indicates the depth of philosophical and scientific inquiry within Jainism regarding the nature of the soul and its interaction with karmic matter.