Laghu Karmvipak Sastabakartha

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Laghu Karmvipak Sastabakartha" by Dharmkirtivijay, based on the provided pages:

Overview:

"Laghu Karmvipak Sastabakartha" is a Jain text written in Sanskrit, attributed to Muni Dharmkirtivijay. The title translates to "A Commentary on the Lesser Karmic Consequences." The book's primary purpose is to vividly describe the consequences of past actions (karma) and their manifestations as diseases and physical ailments in the current life. While the language and descriptions might initially suggest a non-Jain origin, the text is definitively Jain, with confirmation found in verse 28. It follows the tradition of "Karmavipak," a foundational text in Jain karmic literature, and is named "Laghu Karmvipak" (Lesser Karmic Consequences) likely in relation to it. The text includes a commentary called "tabartha" (literal translation) in Gujarati, where the meaning of each Sanskrit verse is explained word-for-word below the verse itself.

Content and Key Themes:

The core of the text is a detailed exposition of how specific negative actions and sins lead to particular diseases and physical deformities in this life and potentially in future lives. The text emphasizes the direct causal relationship between karma and its fruit (vipak).

Key Points and Structure:

• Karmic Causation: The fundamental principle is that actions have consequences. "Good deeds" (punya) and "bad deeds" (paap) lead to corresponding results.
• Manifestation of Karma: Past karmic residues manifest in the present life as physical ailments, diseases, disabilities, and even specific personality traits or tendencies.
• Disease-Karma Correlation: The majority of the text is dedicated to listing specific diseases and their purported karmic origins. For example:
  • Major sins result in more severe and longer-lasting afflictions across multiple lifetimes (up to seven).
  • Minor sins result in less severe afflictions for fewer lifetimes (three or five).
  • Specific examples provided include:
    • Leucoderma (pandu kustha) is linked to the sin of killing a Brahmana.
    • Leprosy (kustha) is linked to the sin of cow slaughter.
    • Loss of consciousness (chetanaheen) is linked to killing one's father.
    • Deafness is linked to killing one's sister.
    • Cough and shortness of breath are linked to slander.
    • Epilepsy is linked to deceitfulness.
    • Stammering or muteness is linked to killing one's brother.
    • Diseases related to the urinary tract and kidneys (e.g., "pahaani," "mutrakruchh") are linked to various forbidden sexual acts.
    • Skin diseases like vitiligo (shwetkoth) are linked to stealing.
    • Diseases of the abdomen, such as worms (krimi), are linked to eating unhygienic or forbidden food.
    • Diseases like piles (bhagandar) are linked to specific forbidden sexual relations.
• Severity and Duration: The text suggests that the severity and duration of the karmic consequence (disease) are directly proportional to the gravity of the sin committed.
• Remedies (Implicit): While the focus is on the consequences, the mention of "Devasevadayaadana-tapobhih tatshamo bhavet" (service to deities, charity, austerities can alleviate it) suggests that positive actions and austerities can mitigate or cure these karmic diseases.
• Scope: The text explicitly states that these karmic consequences apply to both men and women.
• Motivation for Righteousness: The ultimate message is that understanding these karmic repercussions should inspire individuals to live righteously, perform virtuous deeds, and strive for the cessation of karma (karmakshaya) to escape the cycle of suffering (samsara).
• Manuscript and Editing: The text is based on a single manuscript from 1696 VS (1639 CE) found in the Gyanbhandar of Seth Dosabhai Abhechand's company in Bhavnagar. The editor, Muni Dharmkirtivijay, acknowledges the guidance of his Acharya, Shri Vijayshilchandra Suri Maharaj, and requests corrections for any errors.

Significance:

"Laghu Karmvipak Sastabakartha" serves as a didactic text within Jainism, reinforcing the principles of karma and its direct impact on one's physical well-being. It aims to instill a sense of moral responsibility and encourage adherence to Jain ethical principles by illustrating the tangible, often unpleasant, results of transgressions. The detailed correlation between sins and diseases acts as a powerful deterrent against negative actions and a motivator for positive conduct.