Navtattva Dipika - Book Summary

Navatattva Dipika, authored by Dhirajlal Tokarshi Shah and published by Jain Sahitya Prakashan Mandir, is a comprehensive exposition of the nine fundamental principles (Navatattva) of Jainism. The book, intended for private and personal educational use, is part of The Free Indological Collection.

The book delves into the intricate philosophical and spiritual concepts of Jainism, offering detailed explanations of each of the Navatattva:

Jiva (Soul): Discusses the nature of the soul, its various classifications (based on senses, mind, body, etc.), and its eternal existence. It outlines the fourteen states of the soul and the six characteristics of the soul, including knowledge, perception, conduct, penance, energy, and application. The text elaborates on the different types of senses, the concept of consciousness (chetana), and the various divisions of life forms based on these categories. It further details the fourteen soul-states and the six soul-characteristics, emphasizing the soul's inherent potential for liberation.
Ajiva (Non-soul): Explains the five categories of non-soul substances: dharma (medium of motion), adharma (medium of rest), akasha (space), pudgala (matter), and kala (time). It details the characteristics of each, such as pudgala's pervasiveness, matter's ability to combine and separate, and space's role in accommodating all substances. The text outlines the classification of matter into skandha, desha, pradesha, and paramanu, and explains the nature of dharma, adharma, akasha, and kala.
Pudgala (Matter): The book details the fourteen types of matter, including the four forms of pudgala (skandha, desha, pradesha, paramanu) and the three substances of dharma, adharma, and akasha, along with kala (time). Pudgala is described as the only material substance, capable of modification and comprising the physical universe.
Karma: This section likely explains the Jain theory of karma, its bondage, types, and how it influences the soul's journey through samsara. It likely delves into the eight karmas (Ghati and Aghati) and their respective sub-categories, explaining how they obscure the soul's pure qualities.
Asrava (Influx of Karma): Discusses the influx of karmic particles into the soul due to actions, passions, passions, vows, and yoga. It categorizes asrava into five types related to senses, four related to passions, five related to vows, three related to yoga, and twenty-five types of activities, highlighting how they contribute to the soul's bondage.
Samvara (Stoppage of Karma): This principle focuses on the means to prevent the influx of karma. It details the five Samitis (careful conduct in walking, speaking, eating, handling objects, and excretion), three Guptis (control of mind, speech, and body), twenty-two Parishaha (endurance of hardships), ten types of Yati Dharma (conduct of ascetics), twelve Bhavanas (contemplations), and five types of Charitra (conduct).
Nirjara (Shedding of Karma): Explains the process of shedding accumulated karma. It describes twelve types of external penance (Anashana, Unodari, Vrittisankshepa, Rasatyaga, Kayaklesha, Samlinata) and six types of internal penance (Prayashchitta, Vinaya, Vaiyavrutya, Swadhyaya, Dhyana, and Vyutsarga). The text details the significance of these practices in purifying the soul and moving towards liberation.
Bandha (Bondage): Discusses the bondage of karma to the soul, classifying it into four aspects: Prakriti (nature of karma), Sthiti (duration), Anubhaga (intensity), and Pradesha (quantity). It likely explains how actions, passions, and activities lead to this bondage, binding the soul to the cycle of birth and death. The book elaborates on the durations of various karmas, from a few moments to countless sagaropama years.
Moksha (Liberation): This final principle explains the state of liberation, the ultimate goal of Jainism. It describes Moksha as the soul's release from all karmic bondage, achieving omniscience, omnipotence, and eternal bliss. The text likely touches upon the path to liberation, which involves the practice of the Three Jewels: Samyak Darshan (right faith), Samyak Jnana (right knowledge), and Samyak Charitra (right conduct). It also discusses the souls that attain Moksha, their states, and the nature of their eternal existence in the Siddhashila.

The book's structure includes a preface by Acharya Shri Vijaydharm Surishwarji Maharaj, a life introduction to Acharya Shri Vijaydharm Surishwarji Maharaj, and a table of contents, highlighting the meticulous organization and depth of the work. The Navatattva Dipika aims to provide readers with a profound understanding of Jain philosophy, elucidating its unique perspective on the nature of reality, the soul's journey, and the path to ultimate liberation.