Nandisutra Mool Path

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Nandisutra Mool Path," based on the pages you've shared:

Overall Context and Purpose:

The provided text is the "Nandisutra Mool Path," attributed to Shrimad Devrishi Ganikshamashramana (Page 3). It appears to be a foundational text within Jainism, likely dealing with principles of knowledge, conduct, and spiritual understanding. The publisher is Chotelal Yati, and the publication year is 1935 (Page 1). The accompanying pages also include promotional material for "Jivan Karyalaya" (Life Office) in Ajmer, highlighting their efforts to spread Jain literature and the teachings of Shri Jawahir Lalji Maharaj (Page 2).

Key Themes and Content:

The Nandisutra, as presented here, focuses heavily on the exposition and classification of knowledge (Jnana) and the characteristics of knowledge-holders. It delves into the various types of knowledge and their scope, along with the classifications of speakers and scriptures.

Here's a breakdown of the main sections and their content:

1. Invocation and Praise (Pages 3-8):

• The text begins with invocations and praise to the universe, the Jina, and specifically to Lord Mahavira.
• There are extensive verses of praise (stanzas) dedicated to the qualities of the Jina, highlighting their purity, knowledge, conduct, and role as guides. These verses use metaphorical language, comparing the Jina to various celestial phenomena and natural wonders (e.g., sun, moon, ocean, mountain).
• The text lists and pays homage to the Tirthankaras (the 24 enlightened beings) and prominent Ganadharas (chief disciples of Mahavira) and other revered Jain scholars and ascetics.

2. Classification of Knowledge (Jnana) (Pages 8-22):

This is a significant portion of the text, meticulously detailing the types of knowledge:

• Five types of Knowledge (Panchavidha Jnana):

  • Abhinibodhika Jnana (Sensory Perception/Avadhi Knowledge): Described as knowledge gained through the senses and mind.
  • Shruta Jnana (Scriptural Knowledge): Knowledge obtained from scriptures.
  • Avadhi Jnana (Clairvoyance): Knowledge of subtle objects, seen or unseen.
  • Manaparyaya Jnana (Telepathy): The ability to know the thoughts of others.
  • Kevala Jnana (Omniscience): Absolute, complete knowledge.

• Classification of Knowledge as Direct (Paryaksha) and Indirect (Aparoksha):

  • Paryaksha Jnana: Further divided into sensory (Indriya Paryaksha) and non-sensory (Noinriya Paryaksha).
    • Indriya Paryaksha: Knowledge gained through the five senses (sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch).
    • Noinriya Paryaksha: Knowledge gained without the direct involvement of the senses, including Avadhi, Manaparyaya, and Kevala Jnana.

• Detailed explanation of Avadhi Jnana:

  • Types of Avadhi Jnana: Bhavapratyayi (inherent) and Kshayopasamika (developed through suppression of karmas).
  • Bhavapratyayi Avadhi: Occurs in gods and hell-beings.
  • Kshayopasamika Avadhi: Occurs in humans and animals, arising from the destruction and subsidence of specific karmas.
  • Scope of Avadhi Jnana: Described in terms of its expansion (Vardhamanaka), contraction (Hiyamanaka), constancy (Apati vayika), and non-progression (Ananugamika). Detailed descriptions are given for how its reach is measured (e.g., in terms of angulas, yojanas, avalikas).

• Detailed explanation of Manaparyaya Jnana:

  • Origin: Arises in humans, specifically those with right faith, in karmabhumi (productive lands), with good character, right conduct, and among those who have achieved a certain stage of spiritual development.
  • Types: Ujumati (simple) and Vipulmati (complex/extensive).
  • Scope: Detailed classifications of its scope in terms of substance, space, time, and qualities, highlighting the difference between the two types of Manaparyaya Jnana.

• Detailed explanation of Kevala Jnana:

  • Types: Bhavasth Kevala Jnana (Kevala Jnana in a living being) and Siddha Kevala Jnana (Kevala Jnana of liberated souls).
  • Types of Bhavasth Kevala Jnana: Sahayogi (with residual karmas) and Ayogi (without residual karmas).
  • Types of Siddha Kevala Jnana: Anantar Siddha (directly liberated) and Parampara Siddha (liberated through a chain of liberation).
  • Scope: Kevala Jnana encompasses all substances, spaces, times, and states of being.

3. Classification of Scriptures (Agamas) (Pages 22-55):

The text then moves on to classify the Jain scriptures, primarily within the framework of Shruta Jnana:

• Shruta Jnana: Divided into Akshara Shruta (written/articulate) and Anakshara Shruta (unwritten/inarticulate).
• Akshara Shruta: Further divided into Sannakshara (form of letters), Vyanjanakshara (pronunciation of letters), and Labdhakshara (knowledge of letters gained through spiritual attainment).
• Anakshara Shruta: Includes sounds like sighs, coughs, etc.
• Sarina Shruta and Asarina Shruta: Scriptures that are either inherently connected (in terms of cause, time, or context) or not.
• Samyak Shruta (Right Scriptural Knowledge): Specifically identifies the Twelve Angas and Fourteen Purvas as the canonical scriptures that constitute correct scriptural knowledge.
• Mithya Shruta (False Scriptural Knowledge): Includes various non-Jain philosophical texts, literature, and sciences that are contrary to the true teachings.
• Sakshyam and Anadishyam: Scriptures that have a traceable lineage of transmission versus those that do not.
• Gamiyam (Understandable) and Agamiyam (Ununderstandable): Scriptures that are comprehensible versus those that are not.
• Angapravishtha (Included in the Angas) and Angabahira (Outside the Angas): Scriptures that are part of the core Angas versus those that are supplementary or external texts.
  • Avashyaka: Details the six essential daily practices (Samayika, Chaturvinshati Stavana, Vandanaka, Pratikramana, Kaussarga, Pratyakhyana).
  • Avashyakavairita: Supplementary texts, divided into Kalika (related to time) and Utkalika (not related to time). Utkalika includes texts like Dashavaikalika, Kalpaprabhrita, etc. Kalika includes texts like Uttaradhyayana, Dashava, Vyavahara, Nisiha, etc.
• Detailed breakdown of the Twelve Angas: Each Anga (Acharanga, Sutrakritanga, Sthana, Samavaya, Vyakhyaprajnapti, Jnatadharmakatha, Upasakadasha, Antakritadasha, Anuttaropapatikadasha, Prashnavyakarana, Vipaka Shruta, Drishtivada) is then briefly described in terms of its subject matter, contents, and structure.

4. Other Significant Aspects:

• Promotional Material (Page 2): The introductory pages highlight the importance of reading books published by Jivan Karyalaya, emphasizing their role in spreading righteousness, ethical principles, and Jain mysteries. It also mentions the opposition from the Terapanth community to some of these publications, particularly those related to "dayadan" (charity/compassion), indicating a potential focus on social reform or controversial topics in some of their published works.
• Philosophical Concepts: The text touches upon concepts like karma, soul, liberation, and the nature of reality, as understood within Jain philosophy.
• Structure and Language: The text is written in Prakrit, as is common for foundational Jain scriptures. The language is precise and follows a systematic approach to classification.

In essence, the Nandisutra, as presented in this "Mool Path," serves as a comprehensive treatise on the hierarchy and characteristics of Jain knowledge, starting from sensory perception and culminating in omniscience. It also systematically enumerates and describes the vast body of Jain scriptures, providing a foundational understanding of the Jain canon.