Mokshshastra

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Mokshashastra" (also known as Tattvartha Sutra) by Acharya Umaswami, as presented in the Gujarati translation and commentary by Pandit Pannalal Bakliwal.

Book Title: Mokshashastra (Tattvartha Sutra) Author: Acharya Umaswami Commentary/Translation: Pandit Pannalal Bakliwal (Hindi commentary, translated into Gujarati) Publisher: Moolchand Kasondas Kapadia, Surat Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/022513/1

This edition is presented in Gujarati with a Hindi commentary by Pandit Pannalal Bakliwal, translated by Nathalal Sobhagya Das of Idar. It was published by Moolchand Kasondas Kapadia in Surat in Veer Samvat 2441 (1915 AD).

Core Message:

The "Mokshashastra" is considered the essence of Jain principles and is highly revered by all Jains. It is believed that reciting it even once yields the merit of one day's fast. The text aims to explain the path to liberation (moksha).

Key Concepts and Structure:

The book is structured as a commentary and explanation of the Tattvartha Sutra, covering various aspects of Jain philosophy and practice. Here's a breakdown of the key topics covered across the chapters (based on the provided text):

Chapter 1: Principles of Liberation (Moksha)

• The Path to Liberation: The core principle is presented in the first sutra: "Samayagdarshan, Samyagnan, and Samyagcharitra (Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct) constitute the path to liberation."
• Definition of Right Faith (Samayagdarshan): It is the firm conviction in the true nature of reality, particularly the seven tattvas (principles).
• The Seven Tattvas:
  1. Jiva (Soul): Characterized by consciousness.
  2. Ajiva (Non-soul): Matter, Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akash (space), and Kala (time).
  3. Asrava (Influx of Karma): The inflow of karmic particles into the soul.
  4. Bandha (Bondage): The actual binding of karmic particles to the soul.
  5. Samvara (Stoppage of Karma): The prevention of further karma influx.
  6. Nirjara (Shedding of Karma): The process of shedding accumulated karma.
  7. Moksha (Liberation): The complete dissociation of karma from the soul, leading to eternal bliss and omniscience.
• Niskepas (Categorizations): The text explains four types of niskepas (ways of understanding): Nama (name), Sthapana (designation/symbol), Dravya (substance), and Bhava (mode).
• Pramana and Naya (Means of Knowledge and Viewpoints): Knowledge is acquired through valid means of knowledge (pramana) like perception and inference, and understood through various perspectives (naya).
• Analysis of Tattvas: The text delves into the characteristics of the tattvas using eight categories: substance, number, place, time, continuous flow, essential nature, and magnitude.

Chapter 2: Nature of the Soul (Jiva)

• Five Bhavas (States of the Soul): Oupshamika (pacification), Kshyayika (destruction), Mishra (mixed), Audayika (maturation), and Parinamika (natural transformation).
• Classification of Soul's States: These five states have various subdivisions, totaling 100 in number.
• Characteristic of the Soul: The defining characteristic of the soul is Upayog (Consciousness/Engagement), which manifests as Knowledge (Gyan) and Perception (Darshan).
• Types of Knowledge: Mati (sense-based), Shruta (scriptural), Avadhi (clairvoyance), Manahparyaya (telepathy), and Keval (omniscience). These are further classified as direct (pratyaksh) or indirect (paroksh).
• The Soul's Journey: Souls are classified as worldly (Sansari) or liberated (Mukta). Worldly souls are further categorized based on their sensory organs (Ekendriya, Dvi-indriya, etc.), mind (manas-sahita/manas-rahita), and states of existence (Trasa and Sthavara).
• Bodies and Life-Forces: The text details the five types of bodies (Audarika, Vaikriyika, Aharaka, Taijasa, and Karmanya) and the life-forces (Prana) that sustain living beings.

Chapter 3: The World System (Lok)

• The Structure of the Universe: Describes the three realms (Urdhva Loka - upper, Madhya Loka - middle, Adho Loka - lower) and their inhabitants.
• The Seven Netherworlds (Naraka): Details the seven subterranean realms, their inhabitants (Naraki Jivas), their suffering (due to intense negative karma), their lifespans (measured in Sagaropamas), and the qualities of these realms.
• Islands and Oceans: Explains the concentric arrangement of continents (Dweepa) and oceans (Samudra), starting with Jambu Dweepa and Lavana Samudra.
• Meru Mountain: Describes the central Meru mountain and the divisions of Jambu Dweepa into seven regions (Kshetras) separated by mountain ranges (Varshadhar Parvatas).
• Continents and Their Cycles: Discusses the geography of the known world, including the different eras of progress (Utsarpini) and decline (Avasarpini) that influence life forms, their lifespans, and their attributes.
• Human Habitation: Details the distribution of human beings across different continents and the characteristics of Aryas (civilized) and Mlecchas (uncivilized).
• Karma Bhoomi and Bhog Bhoomi: Distinguishes between regions where intense karma is generated (Karma Bhoomi) and those where beings primarily experience the fruits of past karma and enjoy pleasures (Bhog Bhoomi).

Chapter 4: Celestial Beings (Devas)

• Types of Devas: Classifies devas into four categories: Bhavanvasi (dwellers of fixed abodes), Vyantar (intermediate beings), Jyotishka (celestial luminaries - suns, moons, stars), and Vaimanika (beings residing in flying palaces).
• Sub-classifications: Details the various ranks and subdivisions within each category, such as Indras, Samanikas, Trishastas, etc.
• Lifespans and Realms: Describes the lifespans and realms of these celestial beings, noting the progression of bliss and lifespan as one ascends to higher celestial abodes.
• The Celestial Cycle: Explains how devas are born, live, and eventually pass away, often to be reborn in lower realms based on their karma.
• Locantika Devas: Introduces the special category of Locantika devas who are detached from worldly pleasures and descend to witness the enlightenment of Tirthankaras.

Chapter 5: Non-Living Substances (Ajiva)

• The Five Ajiva Tattvas: Explains the nature of Dharma, Adharma, Akash, Pudgala (matter), and Kala (time).
• Dharma, Adharma, and Akash: These are described as formless, pervasive, and immobile substances that enable motion, rest, and space, respectively.
• Pudgala (Matter): Described as the only form-bearing (Rupi) substance, with properties like touch, taste, smell, and color. It is further classified into atoms (Paramanu) and aggregates (Skandha).
• Kala (Time): The enabler of change and transformation in other substances, characterized by its role in temporal succession.
• The Nature of Substance: Explains the concept of "Sat" (being) as that which possesses production, decay, and permanence, and the relationship between substance, qualities, and modes.

Chapter 6: Karma and its Influx (Asrava)

• Causes of Karma Influx: Identifies Mithyatva (wrong belief), Avirati (non-restraint), Pramada (negligence), Kashaya (passions), and Yoga (activity of mind, speech, and body) as the primary causes of karmic influx.
• Bondage (Bandha): Explains how the soul, influenced by passions and activities, attracts karmic particles.
• Types of Karma: Introduces the eight categories of karma: Gyanavarniya (knowledge-obscuring), Darshanavarniya (perception-obscuring), Vedaniya (feeling-producing), Mohaniya (delusion-producing), Ayushya (lifespan-determining), Nama (name-determining), Gotra (status-determining), and Antaraya (obstacle-creating).
• Sub-types of Karma: Details the numerous sub-types within each of the eight karma categories, explaining their specific functions and effects on the soul.
• Causes of Specific Karma Influx: Explains the particular actions and mental states that lead to the influx of different types of karma (e.g., causes for blocking knowledge, causing suffering, determining lifespan, etc.).

Chapter 7: Restraint and Shedding of Karma (Samvara and Nirjara)

• Samvara (Stoppage of Karma): Achieved through Gupti (control of mind, speech, and body), Samiti (carefulness in activities), Dharma (virtues), Anupreksha (contemplation), Parīṣaha Jaya (endurance of hardships), and Charitra (conduct).
• Five Types of Conduct (Charitra): Samayika (equanimity), Chedopasthapana (renewing vows), Parīhāra Vishuddhi (purification through restraint), Sukshma Samparaya (subtle passions), and Yathakhyata (perfect conduct).
• Tapa (Austerities): Categorized into two main types: Bahya Tapa (external austerities) and Abhyantara Tapa (internal austerities).
  • External Austerities: Anashana (fasting), Avamaudarya (moderate eating), Vrutti Parisamkhyana (restricting food choices), Rasaparityaga (abstinence from tastes), Vivikta Shayyasana (solitary dwelling), and Kayaklesha (bodily hardship).
  • Internal Austerities: Prayashchitta (atonement), Vinaya (humility/respect), Vaiyavrtya (service), Svadhyaya (study), Vyutsarga (non-attachment), and Dhyana (meditation).
• Ten Virtues (Dharma): Uttam Kshama (forgiveness), Uttam Mardava (humility), Uttam Arjava (honesty), Uttam Saucha (purity), Uttam Satya (truthfulness), Uttam Samyama (restraint), Uttam Tapa (austerities), Uttam Tyaga (renunciation), Uttam Akinchanya (non-possession), and Uttam Brahmacharya (chastity).
• Twelve Contemplations (Anupreksha): Contemplation on impermanence, helplessness, the cycle of birth and death, oneness, otherness, impurity, influx of karma, stoppage of karma, shedding of karma, the nature of the world, the rarity of right faith, and the virtues.
• Overcoming Hardships (Parīṣaha Jaya): Details the 22 types of hardships (hunger, thirst, heat, cold, insects, nakedness, etc.) that ascetics must endure with equanimity to prevent karmic influx and shed existing karma.

Chapter 10: Liberation (Moksha)

• Attainment of Omniscience (Kevala Gyan): Liberation is preceded by the destruction of Mohaniya (delusion) karma, followed by the destruction of Gyanavarniya, Darshanavarniya, and Antaraya karma, leading to Kevala Gyan.
• The State of Moksha: Liberation is defined as the complete cessation of all karma bondage and influx due to the absence of their causes and the shedding of all accumulated karma.
• The Liberated Soul: The liberated soul is free from all karmic states except for the four eternal qualities: Kevala Samyakdarsana (omniscience), Kevala Gnan (absolute knowledge), Kevala Darshan (absolute perception), and Kevala Sidhhatva (eternal existence in its pure state). These are intrinsic qualities of the soul.
• The Siddha Shila: The liberated souls reside eternally on the Siddha Shila at the top of the universe.
• The Process of Liberation: The soul ascends to the Siddha Shila due to its inherent upward tendency (due to the absence of karma and the presence of its natural upward motion), the support of Akash (space), and the remnant impressions of past actions.

Overall Purpose and Significance:

"Mokshashastra" serves as a foundational text for Jains, providing a clear and systematic exposition of the path to liberation. It emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct, right knowledge, and spiritual discipline as the means to achieve ultimate freedom from the cycle of birth and death. The commentary by Pandit Pannalal Bakliwal makes these profound concepts accessible to a wider audience.