Karmgranth 1 To 5 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Karmgranth 1 to 5" by Veershekharvijay, based on the provided text:

Title: Karmgranth 1 to 5 (Meaning "Treatises on Karma, Volumes 1 to 5") Author: Muni Shri Veershekharvijay Publisher: Bharatiya Prachyatattva Prakashan Samiti, Pindwada Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/005267/1

This collection, "Karmgranth 1 to 5," is a significant work in Jain literature dedicated to the intricate science of Karma. The author, Muni Shri Veershekharvijay, presents a detailed exposition of this complex subject, building upon the foundational work and inspiration of his predecessors. The summary below outlines the key content of each volume as indicated by the provided table of contents and textual excerpts.

Overall Theme: The primary focus of these five volumes is the exhaustive exploration of the Jain theory of karma. This includes its fundamental principles, classifications, causal factors, the manifestation of karmic effects, and the intricate interplay of karma with the stages of spiritual development (guṇasthānas). The text utilizes detailed tables and classifications to illustrate these concepts, aiming to provide a thorough understanding for scholars and practitioners.

Summary of Each Volume:

Karmgranth 1: Karmavipak (Analysis of Karma's Consequences)
- Content: This volume appears to be an introductory and foundational text, likely dealing with the fundamental principles of karma. The early pages discuss the six fundamental substances (dravyas) of the universe in Jain philosophy (Jiva, Ajiva, Dharmastikaya, Adharmastikaya, Akashastikaya, Pudgalastikaya, and Kal) and their constituent parts. It then delves into the concept of karma, explaining its nature, the difference between karma and the soul's actions (karm-kashaman), the causes of karmic bondage (karmabandha), and the types of karma.
- Key Topics Covered: The detailed table of contents indicates coverage of:
  - The nature of karma (dravy, roop, bhed).
  - The difference between karma and kashaman (likely referring to the soul's actions or passions).
  - Causes of karmic bondage (karmabandh ke hetu), including ignorance (mithyātv), lack of control over senses and actions (avirati), passions (kashāy), and activities of mind, speech, and body (yog).
  - Classification of karma into its eight main types (jñānāvaraṇīya, darshanāvaraṇīya, vedanīya, mohanīya, āyuṣya, nāma, gotra, antarāya) and their numerous sub-categories.
  - Detailed explanations of the various types of knowledge (jñāna) and perception (darshan) affected by karma.
Karmgranth 2: Karmstav (Praise/Description of Karma)
- Content: This volume seems to focus on the detailed analysis of karma in relation to the spiritual progress of the soul. It extensively utilizes tables (yantra) to illustrate the presence, absence, and manifestation of different karmic principles across the fourteen stages of spiritual development (guṇasthānas).
- Key Topics Covered:
  - Bondage (bandh), Auspiciousness/Flow of Auspicious Karma (uday), Auspicious Manifestation (udīraṇā), and Persistent Existence (sattā) of karmic types across the 14 guṇasthānas.
  - Detailed tables (yantra) illustrating the presence or absence of specific karmic conditions in each guṇasthāna.
  - Analysis of the cessation of bondage (bandh-vicched), auspisciousness (uday), and manifestation (udīraṇā) in different guṇasthānas.
Karmgranth 3: Bandhasvāmitva (Ownership of Bondage)
- Content: This volume is dedicated to understanding the "ownership" or the specific conditions and classifications of beings that lead to karmic bondage. It utilizes extensive tables to correlate various aspects of a being's existence with karmic bondage.
- Key Topics Covered:
  - Classification based on 14 categories of 'Mārgṇā' (paths or states of existence/activity), including Gati (destination), Indriya (senses), Kaya (body type), Ved (feeling), Kashay (passions), Jñāna (knowledge), Sanyam (restraint), Darshan (perception), Leshyā (soul-color/predominant disposition), Bhavya (potential for liberation), Samyakva (right faith), Sangi (sentient), and Ahari (possessing nutrition).
  - Detailed tables (yantra) correlating these Mārgṇā categories with the bondage (bandh) of various karmic types across different guṇasthānas.
  - Analysis of specific conditions like the presence of different types of yogas (mental, verbal, physical activities), vedas, kashāyas, and jñānas in relation to karmic bondage.
Karmgranth 4: Ṣaḍaśīti (The Eighty-Six)
- Content: This is a voluminous work, indicated by its title "Ṣaḍaśīti" (eighty-six), suggesting a comprehensive coverage of 86 or more aspects related to karma. It appears to be a highly analytical and comparative text, correlating various states of existence and spiritual development with karmic phenomena.
- Key Topics Covered:
  - Jīvasthāna (States of the Soul): The text meticulously examines the 14 states of the soul, analyzing them in conjunction with other factors.
  - Mārgṇāsthāna (Paths/States of Existence): Detailed analysis of how the 14 Mārgṇās interact with the soul's states.
  - Guṇasthāna (Stages of Spiritual Development): The 14 stages of spiritual progress are central to understanding the fluctuations of karma.
  - Yoga (Activities): The role of mental, verbal, and physical activities in karmic bondage and evolution.
  - Upayoga (Conscious Application): The application of consciousness in different states and stages.
  - Leśyā (Soul-color/Disposition): The influence of the six types of Leśyā.
  - Bandha-Uday-Udīraṇā-Sattā (Bondage, Manifestation, Auspicious Flow, Persistence): The interplay of these karmic processes across different states.
  - Alpabahutva (Relative Quantity): Detailed comparisons of the quantity of karmic manifestations in different contexts.
  - Bhāva (States of Being): The 5 types of states (Upashamik, Kṣāyik, Kṣāyopaśamik, Audayik, Pāriṇāmik) and their presence across different guṇasthānas.
  - Saṅkhyatādi (Quantifiability): An explanation of concepts like 'saṅkhyata' (countable), 'asaṅkhyata' (uncountable), and 'ananta' (infinite) in the context of karma.
  - Bandhhetu (Causes of Bondage): A detailed analysis of the specific causes contributing to karmic bondage in various states.
  - Extensive use of tables and charts (yantra) to cross-reference these complex interactions.
Karmgranth 5: Śataka (The Century)
- Content: This volume likely delves into the analysis of karma through the lens of "hundreds" of classifications or phenomena. The table of contents suggests a focus on the specifics of karmic states and processes.
- Key Topics Covered:
  - Dhruva Bandhi etc.: Analysis of 33 classifications of karmic states, likely pertaining to whether a karma is permanently bound (dhruva bandhi), impermanently bound (adhruva bandhi), permanently manifest (dhruva uday), etc.
  - Bandha Prakar (Types of Karmic Bondage): Four primary types are mentioned: Prakruti Bandha (type of karma), Sthiti Bandha (duration), Rasa Bandha (intensity), and Pradesh Bandha (quantity).
  - Prakruti Bandha: Detailed explanation of how different karmic types are bound, including concepts like Bhūyaskāra (increasing bondage), Alpatara (decreasing bondage), Avasthiti (stable bondage), and Avaktavya (unmentionable/unexplainable bondage).
  - Sthiti Bandha: Analysis of the duration of karmic bondage.
  - Rasa Bandha: The intensity or quality of karmic experience (pleasure/pain).
  - Pradesh Bandha: The quantity or mass of karmic particles bound.
  - Guṇaśreṇī (Stages of Karmic Elimination): Detailed description of the processes of Upashama Śreṇī (suppression) and Kṣapaka Śreṇī (elimination) of karmas.
  - Guṇasthāna Prāpti Antara (Time Interval to Attain Guṇasthāna): The duration it takes to reach different stages of spiritual development.
  - Palyopama & Pudgala Parāvartana: Explanations of these complex Jain temporal and material units used for measuring vast durations and cycles.
  - Alpabahutva: Further comparative analysis of the relative quantities of karmic manifestations.
  - Bhāva (States): Detailed discussion of the 5 states of the soul (Upashamik, Kṣāyik, Kṣāyopaśamik, Audayik, Pāriṇāmik).
  - Saṅkhyatādi: Understanding of countable, uncountable, and infinite quantities in karma.
  - Bandhetu (Causes of Bondage): Reiteration and deeper analysis of the causes of bondage.

Significance: The "Karmgranth 1 to 5" by Veershekharvijay stands as a testament to the scholarly tradition within Jainism dedicated to the study of karma. The sheer detail and the use of extensive tables and classifications underscore the importance placed on understanding this fundamental doctrine for achieving spiritual liberation. The work reflects a systematic and analytical approach to a core philosophical concept, providing a rich resource for those seeking a deeper understanding of the Jain path.