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Navtattva Prakaran

Added to library: September 2, 2025

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First page of Navtattva Prakaran

Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Navtattva Prakaran" based on the provided information:

Book Title: Navtattva Prakaran (A Manual of Nine Categories of Truth) Author: Translated by Dr. Shriprakash Pandey Publisher: Parshvanatha Vidyapitha, Varanasi

Overview and Purpose:

"Navtattva Prakaran" is a significant work within Jain philosophical literature, centrally focusing on the Navatattvas, or the nine fundamental categories of truth, which form the core of Jain philosophy. The book aims to explain these nine categories, which are considered crucial for understanding the path to liberation (moksha). The goal of human life, according to Jainism, is the eradication of sorrow and suffering, achieved by following the "Triple Jewels": right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct. Right faith, in turn, is achieved by believing in the tattvas.

The Nine Tattvas:

The text elaborates on nine essential categories:

  1. Jiva (Soul): The soul is described as a unit of consciousness possessing infinite vision, knowledge, power, and bliss. It is eternal and infinite in number. Jivas are classified into those in bondage (Samsari) and those liberated (Mukta). Samsari jivas are further categorized based on their bodily forms (one-sensed, two-sensed, etc.). The liberated soul is free from all afflictions and enjoys perfect bliss and knowledge.

  2. Ajiva (Non-sentient Entity): This category comprises non-living substances that support the existence and activities of souls. It includes:

    • Pudgala (Matter): Possesses qualities like color, smell, taste, and touch. It is divided into gross and subtle forms, and further into molecules (skandha), parts of molecules (deśa), and atoms (paramāņu).
    • Dharma (Medium of Motion): Auxiliary cause for the movement of souls and matter.
    • Adharma (Medium of Rest): Auxiliary cause for the rest of souls and matter.
    • Akasha (Space): Accommodates all substances.
    • Kala (Time): Marks continuity and change in substances.

  3. Punya (Auspicious Karma): These are karmas that lead to happiness and favorable circumstances. They are primarily associated with virtuous conduct, kindness, and philanthropic deeds. The text lists 42 types of punya.

  4. Papa (Inauspicious Karma): These are karmas that result in suffering and unfavorable circumstances. They are linked to moral weakness, indulgence of senses over reason, and lower instincts. The text mentions 82 types of papa.

  5. Asrava (Influx of Karmic Particles): This refers to the inflow of karmic particles towards the soul, likened to water entering a pond through a channel. The influx is caused by wrong belief (mithyātva), vowlessness (avirati), negligence (pramāda), passions (kashaya), and functional activities (yoga) of mind, speech, and body. The text outlines 25 root causes, further detailing 25 specific activities that lead to this influx.

  6. Samvara (Prevention of Inflow of Karmic Particles): This is the counter-principle to asrava, aiming to stop the influx of karmas. It is achieved through:

    • Five Samitis (Carefulness): In walking, speech, eating, taking and giving, and disposing of waste.
    • Three Guptis (Restraints): Of mind, speech, and body.
    • Twenty-two Parisahas (Tribulations): To be conquered (e.g., hunger, thirst, heat, cold).
    • Ten Yatidharma (Monastic Observances): (e.g., forgiveness, humility, truthfulness).
    • Twelve Bhavanas (Meditations/Reflections): On impermanence, suffering, etc.
    • Five Caritras (Right Conduct): Stages of spiritual discipline leading to liberation. These sum up to 57 types of Samvara.

  7. Nirjara (Annihilation of Karmic Particles): This refers to the shedding or burning off of accumulated karmas. It is primarily achieved through austerities (tapa):

    • Bahya Tapa (External Austerities): Fasting, controlling diet, enduring physical hardship, etc. (six types).
    • Abhyantara Tapa (Internal Austerities): Atonement, reverence, study, meditation, etc. (six types).

  8. Bandha (Bondage): This is the union of karmic particles with the soul, leading to the cycle of birth and death. Bondage is classified into four types:

    • Prakrti Bandha: The nature of the karma.
    • Sthiti Bandha: The duration of the karma.
    • Anubhaga Bandha: The intensity of the karma.
    • Pradesa Bandha: The extent or density of the karma. The text explains that the eight fundamental species of karma (knowledge-obscuring, intuition-obscuring, feeling-producing, delusion-producing, age-determining, name-determining, status-determining, and power-hindering) have specific durations and characteristics.

  9. Moksa (Liberation): The ultimate goal of Jainism. It is the complete emancipation of the soul from all karmic bonds, leading to an eternal state of infinite bliss, knowledge, and perception. The liberated soul resides at the Siddhaśilā, at the end of the universe. The text discusses moksha in relation to various classifications (mārgāṇā) of the soul.

Structure and Content:

The book is structured to systematically explain each of the nine tattvas, often listing their divisions and sub-divisions. The translation aims for common and familiar equivalents to make the concepts accessible to a general reader. The preface highlights the importance of right faith in tattvas for achieving salvation and discusses the etymology of the word "tattva." It also touches upon the different numerical classifications of tattvas found in Jain scriptures (two, seven, and nine).

Author and Textual History:

The preface and introductory sections discuss the scholarly debate surrounding the original author, date of composition, and exact number of verses in "Navtattva Prakaran." While some manuscripts suggest authors like Shri Dharma Suri or Shri Vādideva Suri, the text itself doesn't provide definitive information. It's noted that many verses might be later interpolations. Despite these uncertainties, the text is recognized for its concise yet comprehensive exposition of the nine tattvas, making it valuable for beginners in Jain philosophy.

Significance:

"Navtattva Prakaran" is crucial for understanding the foundational principles of Jainism. By elucidating the nine tattvas, it provides a roadmap for spiritual progress and liberation, emphasizing the interconnectedness of actions, karmas, and the soul's ultimate destiny. The text is presented with Sanskrit text, Roman transliteration, and English translation, making it a valuable resource for those seeking to study Jain philosophy in English.