Karmarth Sutram - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Karmarth Sutram" by Labhsagar Gani, published by Agamoddharak Granthmala. The summary is based on the provided Gujarati text and covers its key aspects:

1. Title and Context:

Title: Karmarth Sutram (कर्मार्थ-सूत्रम्)
Author: Poojya Agamoddharaka Acharya Shri Anand Sagar Surishwarji (पू० आगमोद्धारकाऽऽचार्यश्रीआनन्दसागरसूरीश्वर)
Compiler/Editor: Shatavadhani Nyas Labhsagar Gani (शतावधानी पंन्यास लाभसागरगणि), disciple of Acharya Shri Manikysagar Surishwarji.
Publisher: Agamoddharak Granthmala (आगमोद्धारक ग्रन्थमाला), marking it as the 54th gem in their publication series.
Purpose: To explain the principles of Karma (कर्म) as expounded in Jain scriptures.

2. Introduction and Significance:

The text is presented as a valuable addition to Jain literature, particularly for its systematic and concise exposition of karma theory.
It highlights the foundational tenets of Jainism: Syadvada (स्याद्वाद) – the doctrine of manifold predications or relative pluralism, and the Karma Siddhanta (कर्मसिद्धांत) – the science of karma.
The introduction emphasizes that while other religions may acknowledge karma, Jainism's treatment of karma, particularly its distinction from the concept of an all-powerful creator God, is unique and profound.
It points out that Jainism considers karma not merely as abstract ideas or actions but as a material substance (pudgala dravya) with atomic particles that adhere to the soul due to the soul's own intentions and actions.
The text asserts that understanding karma correctly dispels the need for concepts like God, monotheism, and creationism.

3. Structure and Content of the Karmarth Sutram:

The Karmarth Sutram systematically breaks down the complex topic of karma into various classifications and principles, presented in a sutra format. The main sections and their content are:

Karma Prakriti (कर्म प्रकृति):
- Mool Prakriti (मूल प्रकृति): Defines the eight fundamental types of karmas:
  1. Gnanavaraniya (ज्ञानावरण) - Knowledge-obscuring karma
  2. Darshanavaraniya (दर्शनावरण) - Perception-obscuring karma
  3. Vedaniya (वेदनीय) - Feeling (pleasant/unpleasant) karma
  4. Mohaniya (मोहनीय) - Delusion-inducing karma
  5. Ayushya (आयुष्य) - Lifespan karma
  6. Nam (नाम) - Name karma (determining physical characteristics)
  7. Gotra (गोत्र) - Status/lineage karma
  8. Antaraya (अंतराय) - Obstruction karma
- Uttar Prakriti (उत्तर प्रकृति): Details the sub-classifications of each of the eight main karmas, enumerating their respective numbers (e.g., 5 for Gnanavaraniya, 9 for Darshanavaraniya, 2 for Vedaniya, 28 for Mohaniya, 4 for Ayushya, 103 for Nam, 2 for Gotra, 5 for Antaraya).
Guna Sthan (गुणस्थान): Lists and describes the fourteen stages of spiritual progress or soul's condition.
Jiva Sthan (जीवस्थान): Classifies the fourteen types or states of existence of souls, based on their sensory abilities, consciousness, and stages of development.
Yoga (योग): Explains the three types of activities of the soul – mental (मन), verbal (वचन), and physical (काय) – and their various combinations and sub-types.
Upayoga (उपयोग): Describes the soul's functional activities or modes of consciousness, categorized into knowledge (ज्ञान) and perception (दर्शन).
Leshya (लेश्या): Details the six subtle colors or dispositions of the soul, influenced by karma.
Bandh, Udirana, Udya, Satta (बंध, उदीरणा, उदय, सत्ता):
- Bandh (बंध): The process of karmic bondage.
- Udirana (उदीरणा): The premature ripening and experiencing of karma.
- Udya (उदय): The ripening and experiencing of karma in its due course.
- Satta (सत्ता): The latent existence of karmas in the soul.
- The text analyzes these aspects in relation to the Jiva Sthan, Guna Sthan, Margana Sthan, etc.
Margana Sthan (मार्गणास्थान): Explains the fourteen categories of inquiry or avenues of investigation used to understand the soul's condition and karmic activities (e.g., Gati - realm of existence, Jati - type of existence, Kay - body-element, Yoga, Veda - gender, Kashaya - passions, Gyan - knowledge, Samyam - self-control, Darshan - perception, Leshya, Bhavya - potential to attain liberation, Samyaktva - right faith, Sanjñi - conscious beings, Ahar - sustenance).
- It then correlates these Marganas with Jiva Sthans, Guna Sthans, Yoga, Upayoga, Leshya, and their karmic effects.
Alpabahutva (अल्पबहुत्व): Discusses the principles of "lesser than" and "greater than" in relation to the number of souls, karmic influx, lifespan, etc., across various categories.
Karm Bandh Hetu (कर्म बंध हेतु): Identifies the causes of karma bondage: Mithyatva (false belief), Avirati (non-restraint), Kashaya (passions), and Yoga (activity).
Bandh Prakriti and Udya Prakriti (बंध प्रकृति and उदय प्रकृति): Details which karmas are bound and experienced in which Guna Sthans, noting the specific karmas that are excluded or included at different stages.
Bandh Swamitva (बंध स्वामित्व): Identifies which souls bind specific karmas in their highest or most intense forms.
Bandh, Udya, Udirana, Satta Niyantran (बंध, उदय, उदीरणा, सत्ता नियंत्रण): Explains how the intensity, duration, and manifestation of karmas are influenced by the soul's state and actions.
Pudgal Paravartan (पुद्गलपरावर्तन): Explains the concept of the soul's transmigration through the material world, involving the transformation of souls and karmas.
Dhrunya, Adhruvya, Paravarta, Apavarta (ध्रुव्य, अध्रुव्य, परावर्त, अपरावर्त): Discusses the nature of karmas regarding their constancy, flow, and transformation.
Karan (करण): Defines the eight Karmic actions or transformations that the soul undergoes in its interaction with karma (e.g., Bandh, Sankramo, Udvartana, Apavartana, Udiraṇa, Upashmana, Nidhatt, Nikachan).
Pudgal Bandh (पुद्गल बंध): Details the process of how souls attract and bind karmic matter.
Bandh, Udya, Udirana, Satta in Different Guna Sthanas and Jiva Sthanas: A significant portion of the text is dedicated to systematically detailing the presence, absence, and degree of Bandh, Udya, Udirana, and Satta for various karmas across the 14 Guna Sthans and 14 Jiva Sthanas.
Nature of Virtuous and Vicious Karmas (पुण्य and पाप): Classifies karmas into meritorious (punya) and demeritorious (pap) based on their effects.
Dhrud Bandh and Dhrud Uday (ध्रुव बंध and ध्रुव उदय): Explains karmas that are bound or experienced continuously and those that are not.
Pudgal Paravarta (पुद्गलपरावर्त): Describes the cycle of karmic matter and its interaction with the soul.

4. Key Jain Philosophical Concepts Highlighted:

Syadvada: The principle of manifold perspectives is implicitly present in the detailed analysis of karma in different contexts.
Karma Siddhanta: The core focus, explaining the intricate mechanics of how actions lead to consequences through material karmic particles.
Soul's Agency: Emphasizes that the soul itself is responsible for its karmic bondage and liberation through its own intentions and actions.
No Creator God: The text implicitly or explicitly dismisses the need for a divine intervener in the karmic process.
Liberation (Moksha): The ultimate goal is achieved by shedding all karma through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, leading to the soul's pure, omniscient, and omnipotent state (Siddha).

5. Editorial and Publishing Information:

The text is presented as the 54th gem of the Agamoddharak Granthmala.
It includes acknowledgments to Acharya Shri Manikysagar Surishwarji for their guidance and the printers for their service.
The language used is a mix of Sanskrit and Gujarati (for explanations and elaborations).

In essence, "Karmarth Sutram" serves as a detailed guide to the Jain understanding of karma, meticulously classifying karmas, their effects, and their manifestations at different stages of spiritual evolution. It is a systematic and comprehensive treatise on this fundamental Jain doctrine.