Krambaddha Paryaya Ki Shraddha Me Purusharth - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Krambaddha Paryaya ki Shraddha me Purusharth" by Nemichand Patni, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Krambaddha Paryaya ki Shraddha me Purusharth (Faith in Sequentially Ordered Modes of Being as the True Effort) Author: Nemichand Patni Publisher: Todarmal Granthamala Jaipur

This book, the author's final work written during his illness, is presented by the Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust, Jaipur. The preface highlights Nemichand Patni's dedication to promoting Jain philosophy, particularly the teachings of Pujya Shri Kanji Swami. He devoted his life to spreading this knowledge, leaving behind a legacy of influential spiritual writings.

The book systematically explores the concept of Purusharth (True Effort/Human Endeavor) within the framework of Jain philosophy, specifically focusing on the implications of believing in Krambaddha Paryaya (sequentially ordered modes of being or events).

Core Themes and Arguments:

Defining True Purusharth: The book establishes that true Purusharth is not about worldly actions or the pursuit of wealth, pleasure, or even conventional religious acts. Instead, it is the effort to realize the soul's inherent nature as a knower (Gyayak) and non-doer (Akarta). This means understanding oneself as the pure, unchanging essence that merely witnesses events without being their cause or recipient. The ultimate goal is liberation (Moksha), achieved by abiding in this true nature.
Critique of Conventional Purusharth: The text strongly refutes the common misconception of Purusharth as the fourfold aims of life: Dharma (religion), Artha (wealth), Kama (desire/pleasure), and Moksha (liberation), often pursued sequentially in life. This interpretation, the author argues, is a perversion by ignorant, pleasure-seeking individuals, pushing people toward a path of attachment and worldly pursuits, thus perpetuating the cycle of samsara. Jain Dharma, being inherently detached (Vitaragta), advocates a path that fosters this detachment, not attachment.
The Soul's True Nature (Gyayak-Akarta): The fundamental tenet is that the soul is intrinsically a knower and a non-doer. Its purpose (Arth) is to be in this state. Actions (mind, speech, body) are considered mere external activities, not the true Purusharth. The true self is the pure consciousness that knows without being affected by what it knows.
The Concept of Krambaddha Paryaya (Sequentially Ordered Modes of Being): This is a central concept, referring to the inherent, predetermined order of events and transformations that occur within every substance. Every action, every change, happens in a specific sequence, dictated by the substance's own nature and causal factors.
- Acceptance of Krambaddha Paryaya as Productive: Believing in this sequential ordering is presented as the foundation for true effort. It leads to the realization that one is not the doer of actions in the external sense.
- Faith in Krambaddha Paryaya is for the Knower (Gyani): Only a knowledgeable soul (Gyani) truly understands and has faith in this concept. This faith helps them to detach from the illusion of being the doer.
The Process of Knowing:
- Consciousness as the Soul's Characteristic: Knowing (Janan) is the soul's inherent characteristic, present in all states, from the lowest to the highest (liberated).
- Knowledge as Self-Illuminating: The soul's knowledge is self-illuminating and also illuminates other substances (Swa-Par Prakashak). It has the power to know both its own state and the states of other substances.
- The Nature of Knowing: The process of knowing involves the soul's consciousness taking on the form of the known object (Gyeyakar). However, this is not an actual transformation or union. The knowledge remains inherently the soul's own mode (Jnanaakar). The book elaborates on the relationship between knowledge (Jnana) and the known object (Gyeya), emphasizing that knowledge is the essential cause (Upadan Karan) while the object is a mere instrumental cause (Nimitta Karan).
Differentiating Between Knowledge and Faith:
- Faith's Role: Faith (Shraddha) is crucial. It aligns with the soul's eternal, unchanging essence (Dravya or Samanya), while knowledge (Jnana) deals with both the eternal essence and its transient modes (Paryaya or Vishesh). True faith anchors in the unchanging Gyayak (the Knower), recognizing it as the true self.
- Faith and Knowledge Working Together: Faith provides the stable foundation (knowing the Gyayak as one's self), while knowledge understands the sequential order of events (Krambaddha Paryaya) and the nature of reality. This combination leads to liberation.
The Role of Discrimination (Bhedgyan): The ability to discriminate between the self and the non-self is essential. This discrimination is facilitated by understanding the true nature of the soul as the Gyayak and recognizing that all else is external (Para).
The "Chisel of Wisdom" (Pragya Chhaini): This refers to the discerning wisdom that separates the true self from all that is not the self, much like a chisel carves away unwanted material. It is the application of right knowledge and faith to cut through illusions.
Identifying the Knower (Gyayak ki Pehchan): The book provides methods for identifying the true self, emphasizing that the soul is the knower, the witness, and distinct from the body and its experiences. The direct experience of this truth is the ultimate identification.
The Impact of Identification with the Particular (Vishesh): Mistaking the transient modes (Paryaya or Vishesh) for the self leads to attachment, suffering, and the perpetuation of the cycle of rebirth.
The Benefit of Identification with the General (Samanya): Aligning oneself with the eternal, unchanging essence (Dravya or Samanya) – the Gyayak – brings detachment and peace.
The Error of Treating Knowledge as an End: The book warns against mistaking the act of knowing itself, or its modes (Jnanaakar, Gyeyakar), as the ultimate goal. The true aim is to realize the self (the Gyayak) in whom this knowing occurs.
The Utility of Understanding the Process of Knowing: Understanding how knowledge operates helps in redirecting one's focus from external objects to the internal source of knowledge. This realization weakens the illusion of being the doer and fosters detachment.
Manifestation of Unperturbed Bliss (Anakula Ananda): The path to experiencing unperturbed bliss lies in cultivating faith in the Gyayak and aligning one's actions and thoughts with this realization.
The Soul's Fundamental Nature and Knowing: The soul is fundamentally a knower, an unchanging essence that also undergoes sequential transformations. This dual aspect is understood through faith in the Gyayak and knowledge of the Krambaddha Paryaya.
Distinction Between Faith and Knowledge in Transformation: While knowledge grasps both the general and the specific, faith anchors in the general (Samanya), the unchanging Gyayak. This leads to a separation of the self from the transient modes and external objects.
The Absence of External Doership: Because all phenomena are Krambaddha (sequentially ordered), no external entity can interfere with or cause another's mode of being. The soul, being self-determined in its transformations, is thus an Akarta (non-doer) in relation to external events.
The Meaning of "Gyeyakar" vs. "Jnanaakar": The book clarifies that when knowledge appears in the "form of the known" (Gyeyakar), it is still essentially the soul's own knowledge (Jnanaakar) functioning as an instrument of the self, not being influenced or changed by the object.
The Importance of Faith in the Gyayak: The central message is that faith in the Gyayak is the foundation for all spiritual progress. This faith leads to detachment from external objects and the realization of one's true, blissful nature.
The Concept of "Prakriti" (Nature) and its Implications: The book emphasizes that understanding the inherent nature of things, especially the soul's true nature, is crucial. This understanding leads to the proper practice of Purusharth.
Overcoming Karma and Delusion: True effort, by adhering to the Krambaddha Paryaya and faith in the Gyayak, leads to the weakening and eventual dissolution of karmic bonds and the delusion of ego.
The Path to Liberation: The book concludes that by understanding and deeply internalizing the truth of Krambaddha Paryaya and the soul's nature as the Gyayak, one can achieve unwavering faith, leading to the cessation of suffering and the attainment of liberation. The author stresses that the true Purusharth is the unwavering faith in this inherent order and the soul's true, detached nature.

In essence, "Krambaddha Paryaya ki Shraddha me Purusharth" guides the reader to redefine their understanding of effort, shifting it from external actions to the internal realization of the soul's unchanging, knowing, non-doing essence, grounded in the faith of a pre-ordained sequential order of existence. This shift in perspective is presented as the direct path to spiritual liberation and enduring peace.