Karmgranth 2 Vivechan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Karmgranth-2 Vivechan" by Acharya Shri Narvahansuri, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Karmgranth-2 Vivechan (Commentary on Karmgranth-2) Author/Editor: Acharya Shri Narvahansuri M. Publisher: Padarth Darshan Trust Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/023077/1

Overall Purpose: This book, Karmgranth-2 Vivechan, serves as an extensive commentary on the second part of the Karmgranth, a foundational Jain text dealing with the intricacies of karma. The primary aim of this volume is to explain the various states of karmic natures (prakritis) in relation to bondage (bandh), manifestation (uday), intensification (udirna), and latent existence (satta). To achieve this, the text systematically details the fourteen stages of spiritual development (gunasthanak) and how karmic natures change, reduce, or are affected at each stage. The commentary is presented in a simplified manner to aid students in their understanding.

Key Content and Structure:

Introduction and Author/Publisher Information:
- The book is the 19th publication of the Padarth Darshan Granthmala.
- It is attributed to Acharya Shri Narvahansuri M., who also served as the editor.
- The publisher is Padarth Darshan Trust, Ahmedabad.
- The publication details (Samvat 2053, Veer Samvat 2523, 1997) and price (Rs. 20.00) are mentioned.
- Special thanks are given to the sisters of Shripal Nagar for their financial contribution from the 'Sutroni Boli' fund.
- A crucial note emphasizes the proper use of knowledge assets (gyan dravya) for preserving ancient texts and supporting the study of monks and nuns. It advises that the publication cost should ideally be borne by lay followers (shravaks), and if Gyan Dravya is used, it should be done within limits, with any procured books being dedicated to libraries or full value being returned.
The Fourteen Stages of Spiritual Development (Gunashthanak):
- The text begins by outlining the names of the fourteen gunasthanaks, which are crucial for understanding the progression of the soul and its karmic states:
  1. Mithyatva (Delusion)
  2. Sāsvādan (Taste of Righteousness)
  3. Mishra (Mixed)
  4. Avirati Samyakdrishti (Incomplete Righteousness with Right View)
  5. Desh Virati (Partial Renunciation)
  6. Pramatta Sarvavirati (Engaged with Care - Total Renunciation)
  7. Apramatta Sarvavirati (Engaged without Care - Total Renunciation)
  8. Nivrattikaran or Apurvakaran (Cessation of Action or Unprecedented Action)
  9. Anivrattikaran (Unceasing Action)
  10. Sukshma Samparay (Subtle Attachment)
  11. Upshant Moh Chedasth Vitarag (Suppressed Delusion – Worldly One with Partial Victory)
  12. Kshina Moh Chedasth Vitarag (Destroyed Delusion – Worldly One with Total Victory)
  13. Sayogi Kevali (One with Body-Mind-Speech)
  14. Ayogi Kevali (One without Body-Mind-Speech)
- Definition of Gunashthanak: A gunasthanak is explained as the "place of virtues" (guna), signifying the progressive refinement (prakarsh) or degradation (apakarsh) of knowledge and other spiritual qualities in the soul's consciousness (adhyavasay).
Detailed Description of Mithyatva Gunashthanak (The First Stage):
- Definition of Mithyatva: It is defined as a distorted understanding of substances like soul (jiva), non-soul (ajiva), etc., as taught by omniscient beings. It also refers to wrongly considering false gods, preceptors, and paths as true ones and worshipping them.
- Types of Souls in Mithyatva: The text elaborates on the classification of souls within this stage:
  - Avyavahar Rashi (Uncalculable Souls): Souls in the subtle Nigoda state since beginningless time, who haven't emerged yet.
  - Vyavahar Rashi (Calculable Souls): Souls that have emerged from Nigoda and are currently in one-sensed beings (earth, water, fire, air, plants), or can potentially be reborn as them. This category also includes souls who, even if they return to Nigoda, are still considered part of the Vyavahar Rashi.
- Six Categories of Souls in Mithyatva:
  1. Abhavya Jiva (Non-potential Souls): Souls that lack the inherent capability for liberation, even with complete knowledge and favorable circumstances.
  2. Jati Bhavya Jiva (Naturally Potential Souls): Souls who are in Nigoda and possess the potential for liberation but have a disposition not to emerge from it.
  3. Durbhavya Jiva (Souls with Distant Potential): Souls whose journey through the cycle of birth and death (samsara) will take many more Puda Pūrva-kalpa (cosmic cycles) to complete.
  4. Bharekarmi Bhavya Jiva (Souls with Heavy Karma): Souls whose remaining samsara is about one Puda Pūrva-kalpa, indicating they are in their final cycles. Their inherent karmic impurities are not yet significantly diminished.
  5. Laghukami Bhavya Jiva (Souls with Light Karma): Souls whose remaining samsara is less than half a Puda Pūrva-kalpa, indicating their inherent karmic impurities have been substantially reduced.
  6. Durlabhbodhi Bhavya Jiva (Souls with Rare Enlightenment Potential): Souls who, after attaining right faith (samyaktva), due to the influence of solidified (nikachit) past karma, develop strong disbelief in the teachings of the Jinas. Their period of suffering this delusion can be extensive.
- Sub-classifications of Mithyatva: The text delves into multiple ways of classifying mithyatva:
  - Two Types (Based on Manifestation): Avyakta Mithyatva (unmanifest) and Vyakta Mithyatva (manifest).
  - Two Types (Based on Source): Laukik Mithyatva (worldly delusion) and Laukottar Mithyatva (transcendental delusion).
  - Four Types (Based on Direction): Laukik Devagat, Laukik Gurugat, Laukottar Devagat, Laukottar Gurugat.
  - Four Types (Based on Action): Praroopana (preaching contrary), Pravartan (practice/following contrary), Parinam (mental state), and Pradesh (actual manifestation of karmic particles).
  - Five Types (Based on Conviction): Abhgraahik (stubborn adherence), Anabhigraahik (non-adherence), Abhini-veshik (firmly established wrong belief), Sanshayik (doubtful), and Anabhogik (unintentional/unaware).
  - Seven Types (Mentioned by Acharya Haribhadrasuri): Ekāntik (absolutist), Sanshayik (doubtful), Vainayiki (erroneous reverence), Purvavyudagrahi (misled by examples), Viparitruchi (perverse inclination), Nisargik (innate), and Mudha-drushti (deluded view).
  - Four Types (Based on Time): Anadi-Anant (beginningless-endless), Anadi-Sant (beginningless-finite), Sadi-Anant (finite-endless), Sadi-Sant (finite-finite).
- Subtle Karmic States: The text also touches upon concepts like 'Anadi Yathapravrittikaran' (beginningless correct practice), 'Granthi' (knots of attachment), 'Dvirbandhak' (binding twice), 'Sakrutbandhak' (binding once), and 'Apunarbandhak' (not binding again) in the context of karmic progress. It describes the journey of a soul through these stages, leading towards right faith (samyaktva) and eventually liberation.

Thematic Focus of the Commentary:

The commentary, as evident from the initial pages, aims to provide a thorough explanation of how karmic principles operate across the spiritual journey. This involves:

Karmic States: Detailing the presence and disappearance of various karmic natures in bondage, manifestation, intensification, and latent existence at each gunasthanak.
Progression and Regression: Explaining how souls move up and down through the gunasthanaks and the impact of these movements on their karmic disposition.
Detailed Classification: Breaking down complex concepts like 'mithyatva' into various sub-categories to illuminate the subtle differences and nuances.
Soul Classification: Categorizing souls based on their potential for liberation and their karmic state, offering insights into the vast spectrum of spiritual possibilities.

In essence, "Karmgranth-2 Vivechan" by Acharya Shri Narvahansuri is a detailed guide to understanding the profound Jain theory of karma as it relates to the soul's journey through the fourteen stages of spiritual evolution.