Navtattva Sahitya Sangraha

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Navtattva Sahitya Sangraha" based on the provided pages, focusing on the core concepts and structure:

Book Title: Navtattva Sahitya Sangraha (Collection of Literature on the Nine Realities) Author/Compiler: Udayvijay (guided by Udayvijay Gani) Publisher: Mansukhbhai Manekbhai Publication Year: Samvat 1978 / Veer Nirvana Samvat 2448 / 1922 AD

Overall Purpose and Structure:

The "Navtattva Sahitya Sangraha" is a compilation and presentation of Jain philosophical tenets, specifically focusing on the "Navtattva" (Nine Realities or Principles). It aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of these fundamental concepts as elaborated by various revered Jain scholars and acharyas throughout history. The collection is structured to present these principles in a clear, accessible, and annotated manner, making them suitable for religious and philosophical study.

Key Components and Content:

The Sangraha is presented in multiple parts (Bhag 1-2-3-4) and includes various "Navtattva Parishishtani" (Appendices/Supplements on the Nine Realities), identified by letters (like 'अ', 'आ', 'क', 'ख', 'ग', 'घ', 'ङ', 'च', 'छ', 'ज', 'झ', 'ટ', 'બ'). The provided text samples primarily showcase:

1. Introduction and Compilation: The introductory pages highlight the authority and lineage of the work. It acknowledges the contributions of numerous ancient scholars like Umaswati, Devgupta Suri, Abhaydev Suri, Hemchandra Suri, Devendra Suri, and others. The compiler, Udayvijay Gani, is presented with high reverence, being described as a "Siddhant Vachaspati," "Nyay Visharad," and "Anuyogacharya."

2. The Nine Realities (Navtattva): The core of the Sangraha revolves around explaining the nine fundamental principles of Jainism. These are consistently listed as:

   • Jiva (Soul): The sentient being, characterized by consciousness and capable of experiencing karma and attaining liberation. [Page #4, Line #1]
   • Ajiva (Non-soul): That which is devoid of consciousness. [Page #7, Line #18]
   • Punya (Merit/Virtue): Actions and their resulting positive consequences, leading to happiness. [Page #8, Line #31]
   • Papa (Demerit/Sin): Actions and their resulting negative consequences, leading to suffering. [Page #8, Line #31]
   • Asrava (Influx): The influx of karmic particles into the soul due to passions and activities of mind, speech, and body. [Page #8, Line #32]
   • Samvara (Stoppage): The stoppage of karmic influx through right conduct, vows, and the restraint of senses and passions. [Page #8, Line #32]
   • Nirjara (Shedding of Karma): The shedding of already accumulated karma through austerity and penance. [Page #8, Line #33]
   • Bandha (Bondage): The process by which karmic particles bind to the soul, obscuring its true nature. [Page #8, Line #33]
   • Moksha (Liberation): The ultimate state of freedom from all karma, characterized by infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and power. [Page #9, Line #33]

3. Detailed Exposition of Each Tattva: The Sangraha then delves into the specifics of each Tattva, often referencing the original Sanskrit or Prakrit verses followed by a Gujarati translation and commentary (anuvaad/bhashya).

   • Jiva: Discusses the nature of the soul, its forms (like one-sensed, two-sensed, etc.), classifications (like worldly vs. liberated), and the various permutations and combinations of its states and faculties. It elaborates on the number of senses, the types of bodies, and the classifications of beings (like hellish beings, animals, humans, gods). It details the concept of puryaadhikaras (attributes) of the soul like consciousness, various types of knowledge and perception, states of karma (Odayika, Parinamika, etc.), and the pathways of action. [Pages #4-16]
   • Ajiva: Explains the five non-soul substances: Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akasha (space), Pudgala (matter), and Kala (time). It describes their nature, properties, and classifications. Pudgala, in particular, is described in detail with its manifestations like atoms, molecules, and their combinations (skandhas). [Pages #7-10, #11-15, #22-26]
   • Punya & Papa: These are presented as the results of actions. Punya is associated with auspicious karma leading to happiness, while Papa is associated with inauspicious karma leading to suffering. The texts detail the specific karmas that contribute to Punya (like health, wealth, good destiny, pleasing qualities) and Papa (like hellish birth, animal existence, suffering, defects, low status). The sheer volume of classifications for Papa is notable, indicating the meticulousness of Jain karma theory. [Pages #11-13, #26-28, #47-55]
   • Asrava: This section details the influx of karma through the senses, passions (kashayas), activities of mind, speech, and body (kriyas). The text provides an extensive classification of these asrava channels, listing various types of sensory indulgences, the four kashayas (anger, pride, delusion, greed), the five vows (avratas), and a multitude of specific actions and behaviors. [Pages #14, #27-30, #48-52]
   • Samvara: This principle counteracts Asrava by stopping the influx of karma. It is achieved through practices like the five Samitis (careful conduct in walking, speech, eating, taking and putting objects, and excretion), three Guptis (restraint of mind, speech, and body), the ten ethical observances (dharma), the twelve contemplations (anupreksha), the twenty-two types of hardships (parishaha), and the five types of right conduct (acharra). [Pages #15, #31-36]
   • Nirjara: This refers to the shedding of accumulated karma, primarily through austerities (tapas). The text describes the twelve types of austerities, categorized into six external (Bahya) and six internal (Abhyantara) practices. External austerities include fasting, reduced consumption, vow adherence, asceticism, physical mortification, and solitude. Internal austerities include repentance, humility, service, scripture study, meditation, and detachment. [Pages #15-16, #36-37, #53-57]
   • Bandha: This describes the process of karmic bondage, the mechanism by which karma attaches to the soul. It details the four types of bondage: Prakriti (nature of karma), Sthiti (duration), Anubhava (intensity/taste), and Pradesha (quantity). The text elaborates on how different kashayas, passions, and activities influence the type, duration, intensity, and quantity of karmic particles that bind to the soul. [Pages #16, #37-40, #57-60]
   • Moksha: The ultimate goal of Jainism. This section discusses the state of liberation, the qualities of liberated souls (Siddhas), and the conditions for attaining Moksha. It describes the ninefold classification of Moksha based on various paths and the states of the soul at the time of liberation (e.g., in the context of different types of knowledge, conduct, etc.). It touches upon the concept of "Spatpada Prarupana" (discussion of the existent reality of Moksha) and the various ways of analyzing the nature of Moksha. [Pages #16, #38-42, #60-62]

4. Inclusion of Multiple Commentaries/Versions: The Sangraha appears to include or reference different versions or commentaries on the Navtattva, such as the works of Umaswati, Devgupta Suri, Abhaydev Suri, Devananda Suri, and Devendra Suri, indicating a rich tradition of scholarship on this topic. The page numbering and appendix letters suggest a systematic organization of these diverse textual materials.

Methodology and Presentation:

• Verse and Commentary: The text often presents foundational verses (often from classical Jain texts like Umaswati's Tattvarthasutra or similar works) followed by their Gujarati translation and explanation, attributed to specific acharyas.
• Categorization and Classification: The Sangraha meticulously classifies each Tattva into numerous sub-categories (bhedas), often presented as numerical lists. This detailed classification is a hallmark of traditional Jain scholasticism.
• Hierarchical Structure: The organization within the Sangraha implies a structured approach, moving from the general definition of Navtattva to the specific details of each principle.
• Scholarly Authority: The text emphasizes the authority of ancient Jain acharyas, quoting and referencing their works extensively to validate the explanations.

Significance:

The "Navtattva Sahitya Sangraha" serves as a valuable resource for understanding the foundational principles of Jainism. By compiling the insights of multiple eminent scholars, it offers a multi-faceted and authoritative perspective on the soul, non-soul, karma, liberation, and the path to achieve it. The detailed classifications and explanations reflect the depth of Jain philosophical inquiry. The work is a testament to the enduring tradition of preserving and disseminating Jain knowledge across generations.