Mahabandh

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Mahabandh" by Fulchandra Jain Shastri, focusing on the key concepts and structure:

Mahabandh: A Summary

"Mahabandh" is a significant Jain text, authored by Fulchandra Jain Shastri, that delves deeply into the principles of karma, specifically focusing on the "bandh" (bondage) aspect. It serves as a continuation and elaboration of themes introduced in the foundational Shatkhandagama.

Core Purpose and Structure:

The primary purpose of "Mahabandh" is to comprehensively explain the four aspects of bondage mentioned in the Shatkhandagama's section on "Bandh" (bondage):

1. Bandh (Bondage): The act of karmic attachment itself.
2. Bandhak (The Binder): The soul (jiva) that is susceptible to karmic bondage.
3. Bandhaniya (The Bondable): The karmic influx (pudgala) that binds the soul.
4. Bandha Vidhan (The Mechanism of Bondage): The intricate process and rules governing how bondage occurs.

While the Shatkhandagama covers these aspects, "Mahabandh" aims to provide a more detailed and holistic treatment of the "Bandh" अर्थाधिकार (subject of discourse) and its sub-topics.

Relationship to Shatkhandagama:

"Mahabandh" is presented as the sixth and final section of the Shatkhandagama (though the original structure of Shatkhandagama has five sections, Mahabandh is considered an extension or a more detailed treatment of the sixth अर्थाधिकार, "Bandh Vidhan"). It elaborates on concepts that were touched upon in earlier sections:

• Kshullaka Bandh (Second Khand): Explained which souls are binders and non-binders, and why, detailing how all souls are bound or unbound through the operations of karma (udaya, upashama, kshaya, kshayo-pashama) across fourteen margaṇās (modes of existence/activity).
• Bandha Swamitva Vichaya (Third Khand): Clarified which souls bind which karmic natures and at which stages of spiritual development, including whether they are binders or non-binders.
• Vedana (Fourth Khand) and Vargana (Fifth Khand): These sections covered aspects of karmic natures, touch, and the bondable karmic matter.

Key Content Areas of Mahabandh:

"Mahabandh" is structured into several main अर्थाधिकार (sections of discourse), each further divided into various अनुयोगद्वार (lines of inquiry or sub-topics):

1. Prakriti Bandh (Bondage of Nature):

   • Defines "Prakriti" as inherent nature or characteristic.
   • Explains how karmic influx (karmic pudgala) becomes karma due to the soul's deluded states (mithyādarśana, etc.).
   • Discusses the nature of bondage as a sanyog sambandha (conjunction relation) between the soul and karmic matter, rather than an inherent identity.
   • Details 25 specific anuyogadvaras related to Prakriti Bandh, including:
     • Prakriti Samutkīrtan (Enumeration of Karmic Natures): Lists the 8 principal and their sub-natures.
     • Sarva Bandh/Nonsarva Bandh (Universal/Non-universal Bondage): Examines which karmas are bound universally and which are not.
     • Bandha Swamitva Vichaya (Ownership of Bondage): Who binds what karma.
     • Discussions on temporal aspects (time, interval), concentration (sannikarsha), permutations (bhangavichaya), proportions (bhāgābhāganugama), measurement (parimāṇānugama), space (kshetra), touch (sparshana), and multitudinous beings.

2. Sthiti Bandh (Bondage of Duration):

   • Defines "Sthiti" as the duration of karmic presence.
   • Explains that bondage of duration applies to both principal and sub-karmic natures.
   • Covers several anuyogadvaras related to duration, including:
     • Sthiti Bandh Sthana Prapraṇā (Discourse on the Places of Duration Bondage): How duration of bondage varies across 14 life-forms, linked to sanklesha (aggravated mental states) and vishuddhi (purified mental states).
     • Nishek Prapraṇā (Discourse on Karmic Deposits): How karmic matter is deposited over time within the duration.
     • Ābādhakāṇḍa Prapraṇā (Discourse on the Period of Incubation): The initial period where karma does not manifest its results.
     • Discussions on sādi (with a beginning), anādi (without a beginning), dhruva (permanent), and adhruva (impermanent) durations.
     • Analysis of bhujgāra (increasing duration), padanikshepa (placing of states), and vruddhi (growth) in duration bondage.
     • Adhyavasana Bandh Prapraṇā (Discourse on the Predisposition for Bondage): The mental states that lead to specific durations.
     • Uttar Prakriti Sthiti Bandh (Duration Bondage of Sub-natures): How the duration applies to the finer categories of karmas.

3. Anubhāg Bandh (Bondage of Intensity):

   • Defines "Anubhāg" as the intensity or potency of karma to produce results.
   • Explains that karma can be classified as puṇya (meritorious) or pāpa (demeritorious).
   • Covers various anuyogadvaras related to intensity:
     • Saṅjñā (Classification): Differentiates between ghāti (destructive) and aghāti (non-destructive) karmas and their intensity.
     • Svāmitva (Ownership): Who binds the most intense or least intense karma.
     • Discussions on pratyaya (causality), vipāka-deśa (manifestation of results), and prashasta-apraśasta (auspicious/inauspicious) states influencing intensity.
     • Anubhāg Bandhādhyavasāna Sthāna Prapraṇā (Discourse on the Predispositions for Intensity Bondage): The mental states that determine the intensity.

4. Pradesh Bandh (Bondage of Quantity/Mass):

   • Defines "Pradesh" as the quantum or mass of karmic matter.
   • Explains how karmic matter is received based on the duration and type of karma.
   • Discusses the allocation of karmic matter (pradesh) among the different karmas and their sub-natures.
   • Covers yog (activity of mind, speech, and body) as a significant factor in Pradesh Bandh, linking it to sharira nama karma (body-forming karma) and the weakening of viryāntarāya karma (energy obstruction karma).
   • Explores yoga-sthāna (states of yogic activity) and their relation to pradesh bandha-sthāna (places of mass bondage).
   • The text details the interplay of various karmas in receiving the allocated mass, with vedaniya karma (feeling karma) receiving the largest share due to its pervasive influence.

Key Concepts and Principles:

• Mithyādarśana, Avirati, Kaṣāya, Yoga: These are identified as the primary causes (nimitta) for the soul's bondage to karma.
• Sanklesha and Vishuddhi: The degree of mental affliction (sanklesha) and purification (vishuddhi) directly influences the duration and intensity of karmic bondage.
• Ogha and Ādeśa: The text analyzes karmic bondage both universally (ogha) and specifically in various life-forms and stages (ādeśa).
• Time, Space, and Soul-States: The text extensively analyzes how the temporal duration, spatial extent, and specific mental states of the soul influence the nature of karmic bondage.
• Agam and Vyavahar Naya: The explanations often distinguish between the ultimate reality (paramārtha) and conventional reality (vyavahāra), particularly in understanding how karmic pudgala is attributed to the soul.

Significance and Legacy:

"Mahabandh" is considered a monumental work in Jain karma philosophy. It provides an incredibly detailed and systematic exploration of karmic bondage, building upon the foundational texts. The author, Fulchandra Jain Shastri, is highly regarded for his meticulous scholarship in presenting complex Jain doctrines. The text's depth and breadth are emphasized, with the author noting that much of its content is not found elsewhere in Jain literature. It is also seen as a testament to the advanced state of Jain knowledge during the period when the Shatkhandagama and its commentaries were composed, suggesting a period when the knowledge of the Anga-purva scriptures was still extant.