Navtattva Prakaran - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Navatattva Prakaran" by Pravinchandra K. Mota, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Navatattva Prakaran (नवतत्त्व प्रकरण) Author: Pravinchandra K. Mota (as commentator) Original Author: Chirantanacharya (चिरंतनाचार्य) Publisher: Gitarth Ganga (गीतार्थ गंगा)

Overall Purpose: The book "Navatattva Prakaran" is a commentary (vivechan) by Pandit Pravinchandra K. Mota on the original text by Chirantanacharya. The primary aim of the work is to explain the nine fundamental truths (Navatattva) of Jainism, which are considered essential for spiritual liberation (moksha) and worldly progress (abhyudaya). The commentary aims to provide a detailed and insightful understanding of these core principles, making them accessible to the Jain community.

Key Concepts and Structure:

The book is structured around the explanation of the Navatattva, which are presented in a specific order and with detailed classifications. The commentary emphasizes the importance of understanding these truths for achieving the ultimate goal of liberation and for navigating the cycle of birth and death.

The Nine Truths (Navatattva) Explained:

The text systematically explains each of the nine tattvas, often referencing foundational Jain scriptures like the Tattvartha Sutra. The summary below highlights the key aspects covered for each tattva as presented in the text:

Jiva Tattva (जीव तत्त्व): The soul. The commentary details the 14 classifications of the soul, emphasizing its eternal and transmigratory nature. It also discusses the conditions for liberation and the differences between mundane (samsari) and liberated (mukta) souls. The text delves into the 14 types of souls based on factors like the number of senses, mind, states of existence (paryapti/aparyapti), and the stages of consciousness (sanjni/asanjni). The characteristic of the soul is described as consciousness (upayoga).
Ajiva Tattva (अजीव तत्त्व): Non-soul entities. This section covers the five categories of ajiva:
- Dharmastikaya (धर्म): The principle of motion. Explained as having three aspects: skandha (aggregate), desha (region), and pradesha (atom). Its function is to facilitate movement.
- Adharmastikaya (अधर्म): The principle of rest. Similar to dharmastikaya, it has skandha, desha, and pradesha aspects and its function is to facilitate rest.
- Akashastikaya (आकाश): Space. It provides accommodation for all substances and also has skandha, desha, and pradesha aspects.
- Kalastikaya (काल): Time. Described as having one aspect (momentary existence) and influencing change.
- Pudgalastikaya (पुद्गल): Matter. This is the only physical substance, characterized by touch, taste, smell, and color. It has four aspects: skandha (aggregate), desha (region), pradesha (atom), and paramanu (ultimate particle). The text elaborates on its characteristics like sound, darkness, light, shadow, heat, color, smell, taste, and touch.
Punya Tattva (पुण्य तत्त्व): Merit. The text lists 42 types of meritorious actions and their results, which lead to favorable circumstances and higher births (abhyudaya). These include qualities related to favorable birth, body, senses, lifespan, and virtuous conduct.
Papa Tattva (पाप तत्त्व): Demerit. The commentary details 82 types of demeritorious actions and their negative consequences, leading to unfavorable circumstances and lower births. These include qualities associated with unfavorable birth, body, senses, lifespan, and unvirtuous conduct. The text extensively lists these karma types, including the eight main karmas (jnanaavarniya, darshanavarniya, vedaniya, mohaniya, ayushya, nama, gotra, antarya) and their numerous subdivisions.
Asrava Tattva (आश्रव तत्त्व): Influx of karmas. This section describes the causes of karma accumulation, focusing on the role of the senses, passions (kashayas), vows (avratas), mental, verbal, and physical activities (yoga), and various types of actions (kriyas). The text categorizes these into 82 types, emphasizing how they lead to bondage. It elaborates on the 42 specific causes of influx, including the five senses, four passions, five vows (or lack thereof), three yogas, and 25 types of actions.
Samvara Tattva (संवर तत्त्व): Stoppage of karma influx. This is presented as the means to prevent further karma. The text details 57 types of samvara, which are achieved through:
- Five Samitis (समिति): Careful conduct in walking, speaking, taking, depositing, and excretion.
- Three Guptis (गुप्ति): Control over mind, speech, and body.
- Twenty-two Parishaha (परिषह): Enduring hardships (like hunger, thirst, cold, heat, etc.) with equanimity.
- Ten Yati Dharmas (यतिधर्म): Ten virtues of an ascetic like forbearance, humility, simplicity, purity, austerity, restraint, truthfulness, contentment, and celibacy.
- Twelve Bhavanas (भावना): Twelve types of contemplation or meditation that purify the mind and detach it from worldly concerns.
- Five Charitras (चारित्र): Five stages of righteous conduct leading to liberation.
Nirjara Tattva (निर्जरा तत्त्व): Shedding of karma. This is achieved through austerity (tapa) and the practice of samvara. The text explains that nirjara can be involuntary (akama-nirjara) or voluntary (sakama-nirjara). It details the six types of external austerities (anashana, avamaudarya, vritti-sanksepa, rasa-parityaga, vivikta-shayyasana, kaya-klesha) and six types of internal austerities (prayaschitta, vinaya, vaiyavachhya, svadhyaya, dhyana, vyutsarga).
Bandha Tattva (बन्ध तत्त्व): Bondage of karma. This section explains the four aspects of karma bondage:
- Prakriti (प्रकृति): The nature of karma (e.g., knowledge-obscuring, perception-obscuring).
- Sthiti (स्थिति): The duration for which the karma remains attached.
- Anubhaga (अनुभाग): The intensity of the karma's effect (sweet or bitter).
- Pradesha (प्रदेश): The quantity or extent of karma particles attached to the soul. The text details the specific durations (utkrushta and jaghanya sthiti) for the eight main karmas.
Moksha Tattva (मोक्ष तत्त्व): Liberation. This is the ultimate goal, achieved by eradicating all karma. The text describes the state of liberation as one of eternal bliss, infinite knowledge, and infinite perception. It elaborates on the path to moksha through the practice of the other eight tattvas, particularly samvara and nirjara. The text also discusses the characteristics of liberated souls (Siddhas) and their location in the siddhashila. The final section includes details about the 50 types of liberated souls.

Commentary Style: Pandit Pravinchandra K. Mota's commentary is described as a "shabdashah vivechan" (शब्दशः विवेचन), indicating a word-by-word or detailed explanation. The commentary aims to clarify the profound meanings within the original text, drawing upon various scriptures and philosophical reasoning.

Key Features:

Scholarly Approach: The commentary is presented with depth and scholarly rigor, referencing original texts and philosophical concepts.
Comprehensive Coverage: It aims to cover all aspects of the Navatattva, including detailed classifications and the causal relationships between them.
Spiritual Guidance: Beyond mere intellectual explanation, the book serves as a guide for spiritual practice, encouraging the reader towards liberation.
Emphasis on Personal Use: The book is explicitly marked for "Personal & Private Use Only," suggesting its value as a spiritual resource for individual study.

This summary provides an overview of the content and significance of "Navatattva Prakaran" as presented in the provided pages, highlighting its role in Jain spiritual education and practice.