Mahanishith Sutram - Book Summary

The provided text is the introductory section and the beginning of the Mahanishith Sutram, a significant Jain scripture. Here's a comprehensive summary in English:

Book Title: Mahanishith Sutram Author(s): Padmasenvijay, Kulchandravijay Publisher: Jain Sangh Pindwada

Overall Context:

The Mahanishith Sutram is a highly revered, esoteric, and complex text within the Kalpa Agama of Jainism, traditionally considered one of the most profound and secret scriptures. Its study is generally reserved for highly qualified and mature ascetics. The text is known for its detailed exploration of ascetic conduct, ethical principles, and the intricacies of spiritual practice, particularly concerning penance and purification.

The provided pages serve as the introductory and initial chapters of the book, establishing its context, purpose, and the philosophical framework underlying Jain asceticism.

Key Themes and Concepts Presented in the Introduction (Pages 4-10):

The Journey of the Soul: The introduction begins by describing the soul's long and arduous journey out of the state of anadi nigoda (primordial existence) through countless pudgala paravartas (cycles of matter-time). The soul is depicted as being entangled by karma due to inherent impurities, leading it to perform various actions driven by emotions like attachment (raag), aversion (dwesh), and delusion (moha).
The Dominance of Delusion (Moha): Delusion is highlighted as the primary affliction that keeps the soul bound to the cycle of existence. It traps the soul in the "dark cell" of "I" and "mine," making it susceptible to the blows of attachment and aversion.
Attachment to the Body (Dehadhyas): The concept of bodily identification and attachment is identified as a major obstacle. This leads to the continuous pursuit of food (aahar), which becomes a ingrained habit or impulse known as aahar-sanjna (food consciousness), accompanied by other impulses like fear.
The Roots of Samsara: Ignorance (agnan) and stubborn adherence to wrong views (abhinivesha) fuel incorrect perception (mithya darshan), incorrect knowledge (mithya jnana), and incorrect conduct (mithya acharan), perpetuating the cycle of worldly existence. These are further broken down into five internal causes of karma accumulation: delusion (mithyatva), lack of restraint (avirati), negligence (pramad), passions (kashaya), and the senses/mind (yoga).
Transition to Liberation: The text explains that only after completing a vast portion of the soul's journey (acharama vartakala) and entering the final phase (charamavartana), under favorable conditions like inherent spiritual potential (bhavya-tva), positive destiny (shubha bhavitavyata), purification from inherent impurities (sahaja mala hasa), favorable karma, diligent effort (shubha purushartha), and the grace of Arihants, can a soul achieve states of non-accumulation of karma (apunbandhak) and engage in righteous conduct (shubhacharan).
Attaining Righteousness: True liberation (moksha) is attainable only after a period slightly less than half a pudgala paravarta is completed, during which the soul cultivates right faith (samyak darshan), right knowledge (samyak jnana), and right conduct (samyak charitra).
Understanding Jinagama: The study of Jain scriptures (Jinagama) is facilitated by the subsidence of delusion (mohaniya karma) and the partial destruction/subsidence of knowledge-obscuring karma (jnana-avaraniya karma). The scriptures are categorized based on the capacity of the disciple:
- Category 1: Practices accessible to all members of the four-fold sangha (monks, nuns, laymen, laywomen), such as the Navkar Mantra.
- Category 2: Texts studied by monks and nuns, like Acharaanga.
- Category 3: Scriptures for exceptionally qualified monks, such as Brihatkalpa Bhashya, Vyavahara Sutra, and Nishitha Churni, which are highly confidential and require deep understanding. The Mahanishith Sutram falls into this third category.
The Balance of Exposition and Exception (Utsarga-Apavada): The text uses the analogy of a tightrope walker (Ilayachi Kumar) carrying a balancing pole (bamboo) to explain the crucial concept of Utsarga (general rule/principle) and Apavada (exception/specific case). An imbalance towards either extreme leads to spiritual downfall. The immature emphasize utsarga and condemn those who follow apavada, while the overly mature might make exceptions permanent, losing vigilance. Exceptions are like diversions needed when the main path is damaged, but one must return to the main path once the obstruction is cleared. Clinging rigidly to utsarga can lead to self-harm and harm to the religion, while misusing exceptions leads to deviation and loss of spiritual direction.
The Qualified Disciple: The Mahanishith Sutram is meant for mature souls (parinata jivas) who can maintain balance between utsarga and apavada, using scriptural wisdom as their guide. Such souls are pious, vigilant, obedient to their preceptors, patient, and possess unwavering faith in the teachings of the Jinas, the tradition, and their preceptors.
Confidentiality and Sanctity: The Mahanishith Sutram is described as being highly secret, like lioness's milk which can only be preserved in a golden vessel. Its knowledge cannot be given to those with incomplete understanding, just as a partially filled pot cannot hold water without spilling. Improper study can lead to the destruction of the scripture and the spiritual ruin of the disciple.
Meaning of Mahanishith: The very name "Mahanishith" signifies something that should be kept extremely secret, referring to the "great night" or "deep darkness" of profound knowledge. The text laments the distortions and misinterpretations caused by those who grasp only half-knowledge.
Structure and Content of the Book:
- Historically, the Mahanishith Sutram was divided into eight chapters with a specific number of udeshas (sections) each.
- The current available version, compiled by Acharya Haribhadra Suri, consists of six chapters and two chulikas (appendices).
- It contains 45 kalagraha (specific temporal considerations related to practice).
- The introductory chapters (Shalya Uddharana, Karma Vipaka, Kushilal Varna, Kushala Samsarga, Upaniyasaara, Geetartha Vihara) are described in detail, covering topics like:
  - First Chapter (Shalyoddharana): Emphasis on becoming free from impurities (nishalya), the nature of true confession (alochana), the path to omniscience (kevaljnana), and the mistakes of false confessors. It also discusses the purification of nuns and the consequences of improper confession.
  - Second Chapter (Karma Vipaka): The consequences of various sins and the resulting sufferings in different lifetimes, with a detailed discussion on the impurity of sexual misconduct (maithuna dosha) and its potential connection to anantkaya (living beings with infinite life-potential).
  - Third Chapter (Kushilal Varna): Description of improper conduct (kushila), the importance of knowledge leading to compassion and higher qualities, and the significance of the Namaskar Mahamantra.
  - Fourth Chapter (Kushala Samsarga): Examples of virtuous associations, descriptions of aquatic beings, and refutations of harmful external views (parapakhanda).
  - Fifth Chapter (Upaniyasaara): Guidance on which monastic lineages (gachchha) to join and which to avoid, the qualities of a guru, and the teachings of prominent Acharyas. It discusses the importance of the Dasavaikalika Sutra.
  - Sixth Chapter (Geetartha Vihara): The glory of scriptural knowledge (shruta), the fall of Muni Nandisena, the nature of illusion (maya), the proper way to perform confession and penance, and the importance of following the teachings of those who have profound scriptural understanding (geetartha).
  - Chulika 1: Discusses the rules of religious practice, the eligibility for penance (prayaschitta), the importance of proper initiation, and the four modes of confession (alochana nishkepa).
  - Chulika 2: Illustrates the case of a monk who remains impure despite confession and penance, and the story of a princess turned nun who hid her transgressions due to fear of disgrace. It emphasizes the importance of jayana (vigilance).
The Role of Gautam Swami: The text often follows a question-and-answer format, with Lord Mahavir's disciple, Gautam Swami, raising crucial points and the Lord providing detailed explanations. This dialogue format is considered highly illuminating for understanding the cause, effect, and responsibility of actions.
The Influence of Social Consciousness (Lokasanjna): The introduction points out that beyond the nine fundamental impulses (samjnas), social perception (lokasanjna) poses a significant challenge in the ascetic life. The fear of what society will think ("What will the world say?") prevents monks and nuns from performing genuine repentance (prayaschitta). This fear of losing reputation can hinder spiritual progress, sometimes leading even virtuous individuals astray, while those labeled as great sinners might find quicker liberation through sincere repentance.
Need for Caution: The text uses examples like Savadyacharya losing his Tirthankara-forming karma and Lakshmana Sadhvi wandering for 80 chovisi (cycles of time) to emphasize the need for extreme caution. It also highlights the danger of misinterpreting the Jina's words or actions due to incomplete knowledge, citing the example of Acharya Razzu who propagated contrary views about boiled water and was later denied penance by Kevali.
Purpose of Publication: The publishers acknowledge the inherent risk in publishing such a confidential text, as it is meant for qualified individuals. However, to prevent its loss and ensure it benefits future generations of ascetics, a limited number of copies are being made available only to deserving individuals.
Editorial Notes: The editors, Pujya Nyas Shri Padmasenvijayji Maharaj and Pujya Nyas Shri Kulchandra Vijayji Maharaj, mention their efforts in compiling and annotating the text, acknowledging variations in available manuscripts and aiming for accuracy and clarity. They seek forgiveness for any shortcomings.

Initial Content of the Mahanishith Sutram (Pages 12-48):

First Chapter: Shalyoddharanam (Removal of Impurities): This chapter begins with an invocation and immediately delves into the state of being nishalya (free from impurities or thorns). It stresses the importance of being detached from worldly pleasures (vishaya), free from attachment, aversion, and delusion (raga-dwesha-moha), and focused on the ultimate goal. The text describes the suffering caused by various mental impurities (sallash) and outlines the process of removing them, emphasizing the interconnectedness of right faith, knowledge, and conduct. The verses depict the internal struggle and the eventual attainment of purification through sincere confession and penance.

This initial section sets a highly philosophical and introspective tone, characteristic of the profound nature of the Mahanishith Sutram.