Mul Ma Bhul

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Mul ma Bhul" (The Error in the Root), based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Mul ma Bhul (The Error in the Root) Author: Kanjiswami (based on discourses) Publisher: Shri Digambar Jain Swadhyay Mandir Trust, Songadh (Saurashtra) Core Theme: The central theme of this book is the profound Jain concept of Upadana (inherent cause/material cause) and Nimitta (instrumental cause/external cause). The book argues that a fundamental misunderstanding of these two principles is the root error in spiritual progress, leading to the perpetuation of suffering and the cycle of rebirth (samsara).

Key Concepts and Arguments:

1. The Root Error: The primary error, according to Kanjiswami, lies in mistaking the external cause (Nimitta) for the true cause of an event, while neglecting the inherent, self-reliant cause (Upadana). This leads beings to believe they are powerless and dependent on external factors for their spiritual well-being and worldly experiences.

2. Upadana (Upaadan - ઉપાદાન): The Inherent Cause:

   • Upadana refers to the intrinsic nature, inherent capacity, or self-power of a substance. For the soul (Atma), it is its innate nature of consciousness, knowledge, and bliss.
   • The soul's actions, modifications, and ultimate liberation (moksha) are solely due to its own inherent potential and effort (Purusharth), not due to external factors.
   • Kanjiswami emphasizes that the soul possesses infinite inherent power (Upadana Shakti) to achieve liberation, and this power is inherent and eternal.

3. Nimitta (Nimitta - નિમિત્ત): The Instrumental Cause:

   • Nimitta refers to external factors, circumstances, or accompanying conditions that are present when a cause manifests its effect.
   • Examples include good company, scriptures, virtuous actions (like charity, worship), external events, or even physical conditions.
   • Crucially, Nimitta is described as completely powerless to cause anything in another substance. It is merely an accompanying condition. It cannot initiate, compel, or transform the Upadana.

4. The Debate (Samvad - સંવાદ): Upadana vs. Nimitta:

   • The book presents a dialogue, primarily through verses (dohas) by Bhaiya Bhagvatidasji and Pandit Banarasidasji, where Upadana and Nimitta argue their respective roles.
   • Nimitta argues that it is essential for any action, claiming credit for worldly achievements and even spiritual progress (e.g., "Without good company, liberation is impossible," "Without scriptures, knowledge cannot arise"). It points to observed correlations (e.g., sun rising, lotus blooming) as evidence of its causal role.
   • Upadana counters by asserting its self-sufficiency and the powerlessness of Nimitta. It uses analogies like the self-powered wheel of the sun's chariot or the self-sustaining nature of a ship in water (without needing constant external propulsion beyond its inherent design). Upadana argues that while Nimitta may be present, it is the inherent capacity of the Upadana that determines the outcome.

5. The Faulty View of Causation:

   • The core misunderstanding is attributing agency to Nimitta. The prevalent view is that external factors cause things to happen.
   • Kanjiswami meticulously deconstructs this by showing that:
     • Correlations are not causation: Just because Nimitta is present when an effect occurs doesn't mean Nimitta caused it. The inherent capacity (Upadana) of the substance itself is the true cause.
     • Capacity is key: A substance acts according to its inherent capacity (Lāyakat or Upadana) at a specific time. Nimitta is merely present when that capacity manifests. For example, clay has the capacity to become a pot, but it becomes a pot only at the right time and when the potter (Nimitta) is present. However, the potter didn't make the pot; the clay, by its inherent nature, became a pot at that opportune moment.
     • Independence of Substances: Jain philosophy posits the independence of substances. Soul (Atma) and matter (pudgala) are distinct and cannot act upon each other. The soul's modifications are its own, and matter's modifications are its own.
     • The Error of "50-50": The idea that Upadana contributes 50% and Nimitta contributes 50% is completely refuted. Upadana is 100% the cause of its own modifications, and Nimitta contributes 0% to the actual causal process of another substance.

6. Examples and Analogies:

   • Yogurt and Curd: Milk is the Upadana; starter is the Nimitta. Curd forms from milk, not the starter.
   • Lottery: The winning ticket is the Upadana; the lottery draw is the Nimitta. The ticket itself possesses the winning capacity.
   • The Sun's Chariot: It moves by its own nature, not because of the external presence of the wheel.
   • The Blind Man and the Sun: Even with the sun present (Nimitta), the blind man cannot see (Upadana lacking the faculty of sight).
   • The Dough and the Oven: Dough can become bread, but only due to its inherent nature. An oven (Nimitta) is present, but the dough's transformation is internal.
   • The Cloth and the Fire: Fire (Nimitta) doesn't burn the cloth; the cloth's inherent capacity to burn under heat is the Upadana.
   • The Wheel of a Chariot: The wheel turns by its own nature, not because of the chariot or the road.
   • The Camel and the Tree: A camel's capacity to eat leaves is internal (Upadana); the presence of the tree is external (Nimitta).

7. Spiritual Implications:

   • Liberation (Moksha): Moksha is solely the result of the soul's own purified effort (Purusharth) and inherent spiritual capacity (Upadana). External factors like saints, scriptures, or even deities (Nimitta) can only guide or remind, but they cannot bestow liberation.
   • Religious Practices: Actions like charity, worship, penance, or following vows (Pancha Mahavratas) are discussed as potentially being Nimitta on the path of spiritual development, but they are not the Upadana of liberation itself. True liberation comes from realizing one's own pure, inherent nature. Focusing solely on external practices without internal realization is a trap.
   • The Role of Sages and Scriptures: True sages (Siddha, Kevali, Shruta-Kevali) and scriptures are described as the highest Nimitta for spiritual guidance. However, their role is to point towards the soul's own inherent power (Upadana). They do not cause liberation.
   • Ignorance is the Root: The ultimate cause of continued suffering and entanglement in samsara is the ignorance (Ajnana) of one's true self-reliant nature (Upadana) and the mistaken belief in the efficacy of external causes (Nimitta).
   • The Importance of Self-Reliance: The book strongly advocates for self-reliance in spiritual practice, emphasizing that the soul must awaken its own inherent powers to achieve liberation.

8. The "Error in the Root": The title "Mul ma Bhul" directly refers to this fundamental misunderstanding of Upadana and Nimitta. By correcting this root error through right understanding (Samyak Darshan) and right knowledge (Samyak Jnana), one can embark on the true path to liberation.

Structure and Style:

• The book is compiled from the discourses of Param Pujya Shri Kanji Swami.
• It incorporates verses (dohas) from Bhaiya Bhagvatidasji and Pandit Banarasidasji, which are then expounded upon by Kanjiswami.
• The style is dialectical, presenting arguments from the perspective of Upadana and Nimitta and then refuting Nimitta's claims through logical reasoning and scriptural references.
• The language is Gujarati, with clear explanations of complex philosophical concepts.

In essence, "Mul ma Bhul" is a profound exploration of the Jain principle of causality, emphasizing the soul's inherent power and autonomy in its journey towards liberation, dispelling the illusion of dependence on external factors.