Main Swayam Bhagawan Hu - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Main Swayam Bhagawan Hu" (I Myself Am God), authored by Dr. Hukumchand Bharilla and edited by Yashpal Jain, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Main Swayam Bhagawan Hu (मैं स्वयं भगवान हूँ) Author: Dr. Hukumchand Bharilla Editor: Yashpal Jain Publisher: Todarmal Granthamala Jaipur

Core Message: The central thesis of the book is the Jain philosophical tenet that every soul is inherently divine, possessing the potential to become God (Paramatma). The book emphasizes that while we are all spiritually God-like by nature, we often fail to recognize this truth due to ignorance and attachment to external appearances and worldly desires. The journey to realizing and manifesting this inherent divinity is the path to liberation and ultimate happiness.

Key Themes and Concepts:

The Innate Divinity of the Soul: The book repeatedly asserts that, by nature, every soul is God. This inherent divinity is not something to be attained but something to be recognized and realized. The soul is described as being of the nature of knowledge and bliss (jnana-ananda swabhavi).
The Paradox of Being and Becoming: When it's stated that souls are God and can become God, a seeming contradiction arises. The book clarifies that "being God" refers to our essential, intrinsic nature (swaroop), while "becoming God" refers to the manifestation of this nature in our present state (paryaya) through spiritual practice.
The "Crorepati Rickshawala" Analogy: This is the primary and most illustrative analogy used throughout the book. A young boy, whose father secretly deposited a crore rupees for him, is reduced to living as a destitute rickshaw puller due to ignorance of his wealth. Despite being a "crorepati" (millionaire) by right, he experiences poverty because he is unaware of his fortune. Similarly, souls are unknowingly wealthy in spiritual potential but suffer due to ignorance of their divine nature.
The Importance of Knowledge and Realization (Jnana & Shraddhan):
- Knowledge (Jnana): The book highlights that simply knowing one is God is not enough. Like the rickshaw boy knowing about the money, intellectual knowledge must lead to true realization.
- Faith/Belief (Shraddhan): This is emphasized as even more crucial than mere knowledge. The rickshaw boy's life only transformed when he truly believed and accepted that the money was his. Similarly, without firm faith in one's own divinity, spiritual progress is limited.
The Role of Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct (Samyak Darshan, Jnana, Charitra): These three are presented as the true path to liberation.
- Samyak Darshan (Right Faith): Recognizing and believing the soul to be God.
- Samyak Jnana (Right Knowledge): Knowing the soul's true nature and its distinction from the non-soul.
- Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct): Dwelling in and being absorbed in the soul, i.e., meditation and living according to the soul's nature. The book posits that the oneness of these three constitutes the path to Moksha.
Distinction Between "Par-Bhagwan" and "Nij-Bhagwan":
- Par-Bhagwan: The Arhant and Siddha deities whose idols are worshipped in temples. They are revered and worshipped.
- Nij-Bhagwan: The soul residing within the body, the "God within the body-temple." This is the "Cause-God" (Karan-Paramatma) and is to be known, realized, and meditated upon. Worshipping the "Par-Bhagwan" externally is done with eight substances, while worshipping the "Nij-Bhagwan" internally is through meditation.
The Mistake of Externalism vs. Internalism: Performing rituals with external offerings to deities is contrasted with the internal worship of the soul. Merely worshipping idols without internal realization is seen as incomplete. Conversely, focusing only on external worship and neglecting the inner God is also problematic.
The "Lost Child" Analogy: This analogy further illustrates the concept of misplaced focus and the need for self-discovery. A child lost in a fair cannot describe his mother in terms of relative qualities (like fair/dark, tall/short) because he knows her intrinsically. Similarly, the soul knows its divine nature intrinsically, but explaining it in worldly terms is difficult. The police cannot find the mother without the child's true recognition. The individual must search for their own soul.
The Importance of "Ownness" (Apnapan): The concept of "apnapan" (belongingness, self-identity) is central. Forgetting one's own true nature and developing attachment to the body and external objects is the root of suffering. True happiness lies in establishing "ownness" with the soul and detachment from the non-soul. This is presented as the core of Dharma.
The Nature of Attachment and Detachment: The book uses the example of parents' love for their own children versus neighbors' children. While a child might be objectively "good," a parent's "ownness" (apnapan) creates a deeper attachment and prioritization. This principle applies to the spiritual realm: establishing "ownness" with the soul is paramount.
Overcoming External Judgments: The author implies that societal perceptions and external behaviors are secondary to inner realization. Just as the rickshaw puller, despite his appearance, is a millionaire, the spiritually realized soul transcends external judgments.
The Role of the Guru: While the ultimate realization is personal, the guidance of a spiritual teacher (Guru) is acknowledged as crucial, providing direction and protection, much like the police helping the lost child. However, the disciple must actively engage in the search.
The Urgency of Spiritual Pursuit: The book stresses that this human life is a valuable opportunity. Just as the lost child is desperate to find his mother before the fair closes, the spiritual seeker should have a similar urgency to realize the soul before the end of life.

Five Principles of Unity Propounded by Dr. Bharilla (Page 2): The book begins by outlining five principles for unity, likely advocated by Dr. Bharilla:

Forget the past.
Do not set conditions for the future.
In the present, do your work wherever you are.
Leave unquestioned the 5% of things on which there is disagreement, and stay away from criticism and counter-criticism.
Actively promote and disseminate those things on which there is complete agreement, whether together or separately.

Overall Message: "Main Swayam Bhagawan Hu" is a profound spiritual discourse that aims to awaken individuals to their inherent divine nature. It uses relatable analogies and emphasizes that true liberation and happiness come from recognizing, believing in, and dwelling within the soul, rather than external pursuits or material possessions. The book encourages self-inquiry, detachment from the non-soul, and steadfast devotion to one's own true, divine self.