Lok Tattva Nirnaya Ek Samikshatmaka Adhyayan

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Lok Tattva Nirnaya Ek Samikshatmaka Adhyayan" by Jitendra Shah, based on the provided pages:

The book "Lok Tattva Nirnaya Ek Samikshatmaka Adhyayan" is a critical study of the Sanskrit work Lok Tattva Nirnaya by Acharya Haribhadrasuri. Although Lok Tattva Nirnaya is a concise text, it is significant for its discussion of the origins of the world and the philosophical principles of various schools of thought.

Jain Philosophy and Haribhadrasuri's Contribution: Jain philosophers entered the philosophical arena relatively late but made substantial contributions by presenting and critically analyzing various Indian philosophical viewpoints. Acharya Haribhadrasuri is a prominent figure in this tradition. While he is credited with a vast number of works (1444 according to tradition), some of his philosophical treatises like Shastravartasamuccaya, Anekantajayapataka, and Shaddarshana Samuccaya are well-known. However, works like Dharmasangrahani and Lok Tattva Nirnaya are less widely known. Haribhadrasuri's writings showcase his comprehensive scholarship, his ability to present all facets of a subject, and his unique style of offering well-reasoned criticism and harmonious synthesis. His contemporaries, Pandit Sukhlal Sanghavi and Professor Hiralal Rasikdas Kapadia, have extensively discussed his life, work, and the estimated period of his life as the latter half of the 8th century Vikram.

Key Features of Haribhadrasuri's Works: A distinctive characteristic of Haribhadrasuri's works is that even when discussing Jain philosophy, he presents the views and quotes from other philosophers, analyzes them, and attempts to harmonize them with Jain principles. This earned him the epithet "Samadarshi" (one who views things with equanimity).

The Title "Lok Tattva Nirnaya": While the work is known as Lok Tattva Nirnaya, the author himself did not use this specific title. In the opening invocation (Mangalacharan), Haribhadrasuri states his intention to present a "Nrutattva Nigama" for the enlightenment of virtuous people. The term "Nrutattva Nigama" is interpreted in different ways. Some translations render it as "Lok Tattva Nirnaya," meaning the determination of worldly principles. While "Nru" can mean human, its interpretation as "Lok" (world) to derive the title Lok Tattva Nirnaya is a point of discussion. Professor Hiralal Kapadia suggests that an alternative name might be present in the colophon (Pushpika). If the colophon originates from the author himself, it implies both names were intended. The use of "Nrutattva Nigama" might have been due to the word "Lok" not fitting into the poetic meter. Pandit Sukhlal Sanghavi and Mo. Da. Desai accept Lok Tattva Nirnaya as the title, while Professor Hiralal Kapadia mentions both. Professor Ramesh Betai's interpretation of the Mangalacharan suggests that Haribhadrasuri aims to elucidate the fundamental principles of human life for people to be aware of the truth. However, this interpretation is deemed by the author of the study as subjective. The term "Bhavyajana" is a technical term in Jainism referring to beings capable of attaining liberation. The study argues that a direct interpretation of the Mangalacharan as aiming to enlighten such beings is more appropriate than the elaborate interpretation presented by Professor Betai. The study points out that the work was known as Lok Tattva Nirnaya by at least the 15th century Vikram, as evidenced by its citation in a commentary on Shaddarshana Samuccaya.

Structure and Content of Lok Tattva Nirnaya: The work is composed of 147 verses in Sanskrit, using various meters. The first published edition (1902) divides it into three sections:

• Section 1 (Verses 42-75): Discusses the nature of creation and various theories of its origin.
• Section 2 (Verses 1-11): Explores the nature of the soul. Verses 12-35 present the theory of karma from a non-Jain perspective, highlighting views that give undue importance to intrinsic nature, destiny, or modifications.
• Section 3 (Verses 1-37): Refutes non-Jain viewpoints.

Philosophical Discourse: The central themes in philosophy are the soul, the world, and God. The book critically examines different theories regarding their nature. Haribhadrasuri advises the speaker or preacher to assess the audience's suitability. He quotes Bhagavad Gita and Sankhyakarika, and the initial part of the second section shares similarities with the Shvetashvatara Upanishad and Isha Upanishad. Verse 33 of the second section is identified as verse 81 of Shaddarshana Samuccaya.

Principles of Preaching and Debate: The author emphasizes the duty of a speaker to deliver unbiased advice. After assessing the audience, the preacher should present reasoned arguments without attachment or prejudice. He cites two verses to support this, advocating for the acceptance of truths that are verifiable through scriptures and logic, like the testing of gold. He also highlights the importance of accepting the true nature and qualities of deities based on scriptural descriptions rather than blind condemnation. Haribhadrasuri's work encourages a balanced perspective and an understanding of others' viewpoints, urging the acceptance of even one's own philosophical tenets only after critical examination.

Theological Debates: The book discusses various viewpoints on God, the soul, and the world. It questions how attributes like fearsomeness, destructiveness, or cruelty can be present in a divine being. It argues that beings possessing qualities like absence of attachment, freedom from faults, omniscience, and equanimity are true deities. Deities are defined as those who always wish for the welfare of beings, are continuously benevolent, and have the sole desire to make this suffering-filled world happy. Those who can directly perceive knowable objects and are truthful are considered deities. Haribhadrasuri states that he accepts the teachings of anyone who possesses these qualities, regardless of whether they are Mahavir, Kapila, Brahma, Vishnu, or Shiva.

Theories of the World: The book also examines various theories about the nature of the world, including its beginning, end, permanence, impermanence, artificiality, and naturalness. It reviews mythological and philosophical perspectives on creation, including views that the world is created by God, initiated by moon and fire, composed of six categories (Vaishēṣika), or originating from different sources like Kashyapa, Brahma, Vishnu, Mahadeva, humans, or time. Samkhya attributes creation to Prakriti and Purusha, while Buddhists attribute it to emptiness or consciousness. Some believe it arises from the soul, divine influence, modifications of the five elements, or is purely accidental.

Haribhadrasuri's Critique of Creation Theories: Haribhadrasuri critiques these theories by posing the question of whether the world originated from existence or non-existence. He argues that if it originated from existence, it would imply a logical contradiction, as existence is constant. The emergence of something from nothing is impossible. Therefore, all worldly phenomena have always existed. Creation or destruction is merely a matter of perspective, and absolute origination or annihilation is not possible. Phenomena are characterized by origination, decay, and permanence.

Critiquing theistic views, he questions who created God if God created the world. If God can exist without a creator, why can't the world exist without God? He also questions why a benevolent God would create such a suffering-filled world. Through these logical arguments, he refutes the concept of God as the creator and establishes the inherent existence of the world. Other viewpoints are also briefly addressed.

Soul and Karma: The text then delves into the nature of the soul and karma. It acknowledges diverse beliefs about the soul, affirming its eternality and the continuous cycle of samsara. It explains that the soul experiences happiness or suffering due to its karma and can attain liberation by eradicating all karma.

Conclusion of the Study: In conclusion, the study highlights that Lok Tattva Nirnaya addresses the fundamental philosophical topics of the soul, the world, God, and karma. It presents the tenets of various philosophical schools as a counter-argument (Purvapaksha) and then refutes them logically, establishing the validity of Jain principles. Many of the counter-arguments presented have become obsolete today, making the book historically significant for study. Haribhadrasuri's use of elegant verses to demonstrate his balanced perspective is a key strength of this work.