Man Sthirikaran Prakaranam

The book "Manah Sthirikaran Prakaranam" (Mind Stabilization Treatise) by Acharya Shri Mahendrasinh Suri, with a commentary by Acharya Shri Mahendrasinh Suri, edited by Munishri Vairagyaratividyaji Ganivar and Rupendrakumar Pagariya, published by Shrutbhavan Sansodhan Kendra (2015), is a profound Jain text focused on achieving mental stability. The central theme revolves around the mind's inherent fickleness and provides methods and philosophical insights to control and stabilize it through various spiritual practices, primarily meditation.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the text:

1. The Nature of the Mind: The book begins by acknowledging the mind's extreme restlessness, comparing it to an elephant's trunk, a flag on a high peak, or waves in a vast ocean. It highlights that the mind is constantly engaged in external sensory activities, making it difficult to achieve stillness without proper guidance.

2. The Importance of Human Birth and Jain Philosophy: The text emphasizes the rarity and preciousness of human birth in Jain philosophy. It states that possessing this rare human form provides an opportunity to destroy karma and achieve liberation. Jain philosophy is described as non-theistic, with karma occupying the place that God holds in other philosophies. The extensive "karma literature" in Jainism is considered second only to the Agamas.

3. Meditation as the Ultimate Solution: While acknowledging various means to eradicate karma like scriptural study, ethical conduct, and religious discourse, the book strongly advocates for "Dhyana Yoga" (meditation) as the most potent method for karma destruction and mental stabilization.

4. The Power and Efficacy of Meditation: The text extols the unparalleled importance and efficacy of meditation. It asserts that through meditation, one can achieve anything in the three worlds. Meditation is portrayed as a purifying fire that burns away the accumulated karmas, much like wind fans a flame to consume stored firewood or disperses clouds. It is also described as a sin-free practice because during meditation, the mind is calm, preventing the bondage of new karmas and promoting spiritual development.

5. The Necessity of Purity of Thought (Bhavashuddhi): Achieving mental stability through meditation first requires purity of thought, which encompasses the purification and concentration of the mind, speech, and body. The mind's power is immense, being the cause of both bondage and liberation, as stated in the Mahabharata: "Manasiva manushyanam karanam bandha-mokshayoho" (Mind alone is the cause of bondage and liberation for humans). The text elaborates on the incredible speed of thought, far exceeding that of light or electricity.

6. Controlling the Mind: The book discusses two ways to control the mind: by redirecting its course or by making it motionless. While Yoga philosophy aims at stillness, the author of this text believes in redirecting the mind's energy towards auspicious thoughts and meditation rather than attempting to completely halt its dynamic nature.

7. The Four Types of Meditation (Dhyana): The text outlines four types of meditation:

• Pindastha: Meditation focused on the soul residing within the body, performed in a seated posture in a peaceful location.
• Padistha: Meditation involving meditative postures and specific syllables or mantras.
• Rupastha: Meditation on the idealized forms of great beings like Tirthankaras, which instills courage and spiritual strength.
• Rupatita: The highest form of meditation, transcending any form or attribute, meditating on the soul as the liberated, pure, omniscient, and blissful entity.

8. The Four Types of Mental States (Dhyana): The text also categorizes mental states relevant to meditation:

• Artadhyana: Painful contemplation, leading to negative karmic bondage.
• Raudradhyana: Fierce contemplation, leading to intense negative karmic bondage.
• Dharmadhyana: Righteous contemplation, leading to positive karmic results and spiritual progress.
• Shukla Dhyana: Pure contemplation, leading to the destruction of karmas and liberation.

9. Dharmadhyana and its Fourfold Classification: Dharmadhyana is further divided into four types:

• Agyavichaya: Contemplation on the teachings and commandments of the Jinas.
• Apaya-vichaya: Self-reflection on one's own faults and impurities (like anger, pride, delusion, greed) and how to overcome them.
• Vipaka-vichaya: Contemplation on the consequences (vipaka) of actions, understanding how karma leads to happiness or suffering.
• Sansthana-vichaya: Contemplation on the structure of the universe, including heavens, hells, and the nature of liberation.

10. Shukladhyana and its Fourfold Classification: Shukladhyana, the pure contemplation, also has four stages:

• Prithaktva-vitarka-savichara: Initial stages of pure thought involving subtle analysis and transition between different aspects of the subject.
• Ekatva-vitarka-avichara: Focused contemplation on one object without wavering.
• Sukshma-kriya-apratipati: Subtler stages of pure action where the soul progresses towards final liberation.
• Samuchchhinna-kriya-anivritti: The final state of pure action and cessation, leading to complete liberation.

11. The Importance of Pure Environment, Time, and Posture: For effective meditation, the text stresses the importance of a pure and peaceful environment, free from noise and distractions. The early morning or late evening is considered ideal. A stable and comfortable posture (like Siddhasana or Padmasana) is crucial for maintaining focus.

12. The Twenty-Five Principles for Meditation (Tatvas): The core of the meditative practice involves contemplating 25 principles or "tatvas" as described in Jain philosophy. These are broadly categorized into:

• Tatvas (Principles): The nine fundamental principles of Jainism (Jiva, Ajiva, Punia, Papa, Ashrava, Bandha, Samvara, Nirjara, Moksha).
• Life Principles (Jivasthanas): 14 classifications of living beings.
• Stages of Spiritual Development (Gunasthanas): 14 stages of spiritual evolution.
• Yogas (Activities): 15 types of mental, vocal, and physical activities.
• Upyogas (Cognitions): 12 types of conscious states (knowledge and perception).
• Bodies (Tanu): 5 types of bodies.
• Leschyas (Auras): 6 types of inner dispositions affecting one's aura.
• Drishtis (Viewpoints): 3 types of perspectives (right, wrong, mixed).
• Paryaptis (Fulfillment): 6 stages of fulfilling vital needs for development.
• Pranas (Life Forces): 10 vital forces that sustain life.
• Ayush (Lifespan): 4 types of lifespan determination.
• Agati (Destinations): 4 types of destinations from which souls come.
• Gati (Destinations): 5 types of destinations souls go to.
• Kulas (Species/Families): Detailed classification of species.
• Yonnis (Wombs/Origins): 84 million types of births.
• Vedas (Desires): 3 types of desires (male, female, neuter).
• Kayasthiti (Body Duration): Duration of existence in different bodies.
• Samhanana (Bone Structure): 6 types of skeletal structures indicating strength.
• Sansthana (Body Forms): 6 types of body shapes.
• Avagahana (Body Size): Range of body sizes.
• Mula Prakriti Bandha: 8 root karmas.
• Uttar Prakriti Bandha: 120 types of specific karmic classifications.
• Samudghata: 7 types of soul displacement during intense spiritual states.
• Mul Hetu (Root Causes of Karma Bondage): 4 primary causes (Mithyatva, Avirati, Kashaya, Yoga).
• Uttar Hetu (Secondary Causes of Karma Bondage): 57 detailed causes.
• Kashaya (Passions): 4 primary passions (Krodha, Mana, Maya, Lobha) with their 16 sub-types.

13. The Author and the Text: The book attributes its composition to Acharya Shri Mahendrasinh Suri, a prominent figure of the Anchalgachha tradition, who lived in the 13th century. It mentions the discovery and meticulous editing process involving multiple manuscripts. The text also notes the influence of Acharya Shri Somasundarsuri's work, "Manah Sthirikaran Vichar," which was based on this treatise.

14. Conclusion and Blessing: The book concludes by reiterating that by contemplating these 25 principles, one can achieve auspicious meditation, leading to the destruction of karma, the cessation of worldly suffering, and ultimately, liberation. The author expresses gratitude to his teachers and all those who supported the publication, humbly requesting forgiveness for any errors.

In essence, "Manah Sthirikaran Prakaranam" serves as a practical guide rooted in Jain philosophical principles, offering a systematic approach to mental discipline and spiritual advancement through meditation, emphasizing the interconnectedness of right knowledge, right conduct, and right faith in achieving inner peace and ultimate liberation.