Mukti Dvantrinshika - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Mukti Dvātrimśikā" (મુક્તિ દ્વાત્રિંશિકા), based on the provided pages:

Title: Mukti Dvātrimśikā (મુક્તિ દ્વાત્રિંશિકા) - Thirty-second Discourse on Liberation Author: Mahāmahopādhyāya Śrīmad Yaśovijaya Jī Mahārāja (મહામહોપાધ્યાય શ્રીમદ યશોવિજયજી મહારાજા) Commentator/Analyst: Panditvar Śrī Pravīṇachandra Khīmajī Motā (પંડિતવર્ય શ્રી પ્રવીણચંદ્ર ખીમજી મોતા) Publisher: Gitārtha Gaṅgā (ગીતાર્થ ગંગા)

Overview:

This text is the 31st chapter (bātrīśī) within the larger work "Dvādaśadvātrimśikā" (દ્વાદશ દ્વાત્રિંશિકા) by the renowned Jain scholar Upādhyāya Yaśovijaya. The commentary is provided by Pandit Pravīṇachandra Motā. The "Dvādaśadvātrimśikā" itself is a monumental work, comprising 12 sections, each containing 32 discourses (bātrīśī), totaling 384 discourses, and is further elaborated by Yaśovijaya's own commentary called "Tattvārthadīpikā" (તત્ત્વાર્થદીપિકા).

This specific discourse, "Mukti Dvātrimśikā," follows the discourse on the sustenance of the Kevalis (omniscient beings) and aims to clarify the nature of liberation (mokṣa). It addresses various philosophical schools and their perspectives on liberation, culminating in the Jain understanding.

Key Themes and Content:

Context and Purpose:
- The text follows a discussion establishing that even Kevalis, while liberated from four types of karmas, are not fully liberated until they attain final Mokṣa.
- Due to divergent views on Mokṣa among different philosophical schools, this discourse is dedicated to clarifying its true nature, refuting misconceptions.
Comparative Philosophy of Liberation:
- The text meticulously examines and analyzes the concept of Mokṣa from various prominent philosophical viewpoints:
  - Nyāya (Naiyāyika): Liberation is described as the absence of suffering, or the destruction of intense suffering. The commentary critiques Nyāya's logical arguments and definitions, particularly concerning the nature of suffering and its eradication.
  - Tṛidandi: Liberation is seen as the absorption of the individual soul into the Supreme Soul (Paramātmā). The text clarifies that if "absorption" means the dissolution of subtle physical constituents (liṅga), this aspect is compatible with Jainism, but the notion of complete annihilation of the soul is rejected.
  - Bauddha (Buddhist): Liberation is understood as the continuity of the Ālayavijñāna (storehouse consciousness), free from the disturbances of Pravṛttivijñāna (active consciousness). The commentary refutes this by highlighting that this view lacks an enduring, underlying self (ātmā) and that the concept of "bondage and liberation" becomes inconsistent without such a substratum. It also points out that causal continuity of moments without a permanent self is problematic.
  - Sāṅkhya: Liberation is the soul's (Purusha) residing in its own nature. The commentary finds this compatible with Jainism in terms of self-residence, but critiques the Sāṅkhya view of an eternally unchanging soul, which makes the attainment of liberation through effort problematic if the soul was never truly bound in the first place.
  - Cārvāka (Materialist): Liberation is considered the annihilation of the soul. This view is strongly rejected as incorrect and even sinful.
  - Tōtāttita: Liberation is the manifestation of eternal and supreme happiness. This is considered acceptable as it aligns with the ultimate bliss of liberated souls.
  - Vedānta: Liberation is the cessation of ignorance (avidyā). This is also found compatible as Kevala Jñāna (omniscience) signifies the complete absence of ignorance.
Jain Perspective on Liberation:
- Core Definition: Liberation, from the Jain perspective, is the complete annihilation of all karmas (Kr̥tsna Karma Kṣaya - કૃત્સ્નકર્મક્ષય). This is presented as the ultimate truth arrived at through various philosophical discussions and the Syādvāda (multi-perspectival logic).
- The Role of Nayas (Perspectives): The text explains how different Nayas (logical standpoints) illuminate Mokṣa:
  - Ṛjusūtra and other Nayas: Liberation is seen as the continuity of knowledge, bliss, etc.
  - Saṅgraha Naya: Liberation is the bliss that is revealed through the removal of obscurations.
  - Vyavahāra Naya: Liberation is the destruction of karmas, which is achieved through effort.
- Effort and Liberation: The commentary clarifies that while the ultimate state of Mokṣa is effort-free, the path to liberation (effort in destroying karmas, practicing virtues, etc.) is essential and driven by a desire for liberation itself.
- The Role of Detachment (Vairāgya): True detachment is emphasized. While initial effort may stem from a dislike of suffering (duḥkha), the ultimate state involves detachment even from the desire for bliss itself, leading to a state of undisturbed purity.
- The Nature of Bliss: The text strongly advocates for liberation as a state of eternal, unalloyed bliss (Ātmyantik Sukha - આત્યંતિક સુખ), directly experienced and not merely the absence of suffering. It refutes the idea that this bliss is merely a conceptual understanding or derived from the absence of external factors. The commentary cites scriptural evidence to support the inherently blissful nature of the soul's liberated state.
- The Importance of Omniscience and Syādvāda: The commentary highlights Yaśovijaya's profound understanding of Jain logic (Syādvāda) and his ability to synthesize insights from various schools while firmly grounding the Jain perspective.
Critique of Other Schools:
- The text systematically points out logical inconsistencies or limitations in the other philosophical views, showing how they fall short of the complete and accurate description of liberation as understood in Jainism. For instance, the Nyāya's definition of liberation as merely the absence of suffering is critiqued for not encompassing the positive aspect of bliss. The Buddhist notion without a permanent self is seen as fundamentally flawed.
The Author's Intent:
- The commentary by Pandit Motā emphasizes the depth, logical rigor, and intellectual prowess of Upādhyāya Yaśovijaya.
- The publisher, Gitārtha Gaṅgā, aims to propagate the profound teachings of earlier ācāryas through analytical commentaries, making complex philosophical concepts accessible to the Jain community.

Overall Significance:

"Mukti Dvātrimśikā" is a crucial text for understanding the Jain doctrine of liberation. It not only defines Mokṣa from the Jain perspective but also provides a valuable comparative analysis of other philosophical systems, demonstrating the superiority and comprehensiveness of the Jain viewpoint through rigorous logical argumentation and scriptural citation. The commentary makes the intricate philosophical discussions of Yaśovijaya accessible, highlighting the inherent bliss and the path of karma annihilation as central to the Jain concept of ultimate freedom.