Karmprakruti

This document is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Karmaprakruti" (कर्मप्रकृति) by Acharya Nemichandra, with editing and translation by Pandit Hiralal Shastri, published by Bharatiya Gyanpith.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:

1. Title and Author:

• Title: Karmaprakruti (कर्मप्रकृति)
• Original Author: Acharya Nemichandra (आचार्य नेमिचन्द्र)
• Editor & Translator: Pandit Hiralal Shastri (पं० हीरालाल सिद्धान्तशास्त्री)
• Publisher: Bharatiya Gyanpith, Kashi (भारतीय ज्ञानपीठ, काशी)

2. Publication Details:

• Part of the Murti Devi Jain Granthamala series (मूर्ति देवी जैन ग्रन्थमाला), Prakrit section, No. 11.
• First Edition: Vir Nirvana Samvat 2490 (वीर निर्वाण सं० २४९०), Vikram Samvat 2020 (वि० सं० २०२०), 1964 AD.
• Price: Six Rupees (छह रुपये)

3. Core Subject Matter (as indicated by the text): The book is fundamentally about Karmas (कर्म) in Jainism, which is considered the "lifeblood of Jain Dharma" (जैन धर्मका प्राण). It deals with:

• The Doctrine of Karma: The principle that whatever actions (good or bad) a soul performs, it must experience their corresponding results.
• The Process of Karmic Bonding: How souls get entangled in the cycle of karmic bondage and the natural progression of this process.
• Liberation (Moksha): The ultimate goal of the soul is to cease karmic bonding and achieve a state of absolute purity, knowledge, and liberation.
• Detailed Classification of Karmas: The text meticulously describes the nature and characteristics of various types of karmas.

4. Editorial and Scholarly Context (from the introductions):

• The Debate on Authorship: The text mentions a scholarly debate about whether Karmaprakruti is indeed a work of Acharya Nemichandra, the author of Gommatasara. Some scholars believe it's a compilation from Gommatasara and other texts, possibly by a different scholar named Nemichandra or by another scholar attributing it to Nemichandra. The editor, Hiralal Shastri, presents his findings and arguments.
• Compilation of Texts: The introduction suggests that Karmaprakruti might be a collection, drawing heavily from Gommatasara, with some verses from other sources, aimed at providing an accessible introduction to the topic for students.
• Inclusion of Commentaries: The published edition includes the original text (Mul Gatha), a Sanskrit commentary by Jnana Bhushan-Sumatikirti, an unknown Acharya's Sanskrit commentary, and a Hindi commentary by Pandit Hemraj.
• Manuscript Variations: The editor discusses the variations found in different ancient manuscripts used for the edition, including textual differences and the content of the commentaries.
• Significance of Karmaprakruti: Despite the debate on its direct authorship by Nemichandra, the text is recognized as an independent and valuable work on the topic of karma, containing unique descriptions not found elsewhere.
• Time Period: Acharya Nemichandra is placed in the 11th century Vikram era, with his disciple Chamundaraya completing his Purana in 900 Saka era (1135 AD).

5. Key Topics Covered in the Text (from the "Vishay-Parichay" and "Gatha-Sankhya" sections):

The book systematically explores the subject of karma through its 148 (or 160/161) verses (Gathas). The table of contents (Vishay-Suchi) indicates the following major areas covered:

• Introduction: Mangalacharan (auspicious invocation) and declaration of the subject matter.
• Nature of Karma: Definition of karma, the concept of soul-karma relationship being beginningless.
• Karmic Influx: How souls attract karmic and non-karmic matter.
• Bondage (Bandha): The process and classification of karmic bondage into four types:
  • Prakriti Bandha (प्रकृतिबन्ध): The classification of karmas into basic types.
  • Sthiti Bandha (स्थितिबन्ध): The duration of karmic bondage.
  • Anubhaga Bandha (अनुभागबन्ध): The intensity of the karmic fruit (pleasure/pain).
  • Pradesha Bandha (प्रदेशबन्ध): The quantity of karmic particles bonded.
• Classification of Karmas:
  • Eight Primary Karmas (मूल आठ कर्म):
    • Jnana-avarana (ज्ञानावरण - knowledge-obscuring)
    • Darshana-avarana (दर्शनावरणी - perception-obscuring)
    • Vedaniya (वेदनीय - feeling)
    • Mohaniya (मोहनीय - delusion-producing)
    • Ayushya (आयु - lifespan)
    • Nama (नाम - name/body-forming)
    • Gotra (गोत्र - status/lineage)
    • Antaraya (अन्तराय - obstruction)
  • Sub-Karmas (उत्तर भेद): Detailed classification of the 148 sub-types of these eight primary karmas.
  • Ghati and Aghati Karmas (घातिकर्म और अघातियाकर्म): Division of karmas into those that obscure the soul's true nature (Ghati) and those that do not (Aghati).
  • Sarvghati and Deshghati (सर्वघाति और देशघाति): Further classification based on whether they completely or partially obscure the soul's qualities.
• Specific Descriptions of Karmas: The text delves into the characteristics and classifications of each karma, including:
  • Nama Karma: Detailed descriptions of body types (physical structures), unions (bandhana), cohesion (sanghata), forms (samsthana), sustenance of limbs (ango-upanga), movement (vihayogati), bone structure (samhanana), color, scent, taste, and touch.
  • Mohaniya Karma: Elaborate descriptions of the 28 sub-karmas of Mohaniya, including Krodha (anger), Mana (pride), Maya (deceit), Lobha (greed), and the nine Nokashayas (minor passions) like laughter, attachment, aversion, sorrow, fear, disgust, and the three types of passions (stri-veda, purusha-veda, napumsaka-veda).
  • Ayushya Karma: How lifespan karmas are formed and their duration.
  • Karmic Causation: The specific mental states and actions that lead to the bonding of different types of karmas.
  • Timelaps and Effects: The text discusses the duration of karmic bonds (Sthiti Bandha) and the intensity of their results (Anubhaga Bandha).
• Comparison with Shvetambara Karmic Literature: The editor notes some differences in the classification of karmas between Digambara and Shvetambara traditions, particularly in the context of newer compilations.

6. Purpose and Aim: The book aims to provide a systematic and detailed understanding of the complex Jain doctrine of karma, its principles, classifications, and effects on the soul's journey towards liberation. The editor's effort highlights the importance of making this ancient knowledge accessible through modern language and comprehensive scholarship.

In essence, "Karmaprakruti" is a foundational Jain text that meticulously explains the science of karma, its intricate workings, and its profound impact on the soul's existence and ultimate liberation.