Navtattva Vistararth - Book Summary

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

Book Title: Navtattva Vistararth (नवतत्त्वविस्तरार्थः) Author(s): Implied to be compiled and published by Shri Jain Granth Prakashak Sabha, with significant contributions and revisions by Acharya Shri Vijayodayasuri. Publisher: Shri Jain Granth Prakashak Sabha, Ahmedabad. Publication Year: Vir Samvat 22450 (1923 AD).

Overview:

"Navtattva Vistararth" is a comprehensive Jain text dedicated to explaining the "Nine Tattvas" (Nava Tattvas) of Jain philosophy. The Nine Tattvas are fundamental principles that form the core of Jain doctrine, outlining the nature of reality, the path to liberation, and the cycle of existence. The book aims to provide an expansive and detailed explanation of these essential concepts, making them accessible to the Jain community. It is presented as a detailed commentary and elaboration upon a foundational "Navtattva Prakaran" (a concise treatise on the Nine Tattvas).

Key Features and Content:

Purpose: The primary goal of the book is to elucidate the true nature, characteristics, divisions, and properties of the Nine Tattvas. It emphasizes that Jain philosophy, with its deep insights into self-reflection, karma, and the nature of reality (soul, non-soul, matter, etc.), is considered superior to other philosophical systems. The authors express pride in how Jain principles, once considered esoteric, are now being validated by modern scientific discoveries (like wireless telegraphy, phonographs, etc., which they see as indirectly demonstrating concepts like Vargana Pudgals).
Structure of Jain Philosophy (Four Anuyogas): The text highlights that Jain philosophy is broadly divided into four categories or "Anuyogas":
- Dravyānuyog (Doctrine of Substances): Deals with the six fundamental substances (Jiva, Ajiva, Dharmastikaya, Adharmastikaya, Akashastikaya, Kalastikaya) and Pudgala, explaining their true nature, attributes, transformations, and the principles of creation, destruction, and permanence (Utpad-Vyaya-Dhrouvya). It is crucial for attaining right faith (Samyaktva) and understanding the causes of karmic influx and cessation.
- Charaṇkaraṇāṇuyog (Doctrine of Conduct): Focuses on the path to liberation, detailing the conduct of ascetics (Sadhus) and householders (Shravaks), ethical practices, the avoidance of harmful actions (Pāp Bandh), and the means to attain merit and liberation (Samvara and Nirjara).
- Gaṇitānuyog (Doctrine of Calculation/Mathematics): Deals with the quantitative aspects of Jain cosmology and philosophy, including the numbers of souls and non-souls, their relative proportions, lifespans, the celestial cycles, geography (continents, oceans, hells, heavens), and related calculations.
- Dharmakathānuyog (Doctrine of Religious Narratives): Explains through stories and biographies of great beings (Mahapurushas) excellent ethics, righteous conduct, historical accounts, the experiences of the past, respect for valuable things, aversion to misconduct, and the exemplary lives of Sadhus and Shravakas.
The Navatattva Prakaran: The book specifically focuses on the "Navatattva Prakaran" (Treatise on the Nine Tattvas), which is considered highly renowned and significant in Jain literature. It is stated that this work is so profound that explaining it is like describing gold to inhabitants of Lanka (an exaggeration to emphasize its inherent brilliance). The Nine Tattvas are identified as:
- Jiva (Soul)
- Ajiva (Non-soul)
- Punya (Merit/Virtuous Karma)
- Pāp (Demerit/Vicious Karma)
- Āśrava (Influx of Karma)
- Saṃvara (Cessation of Karma)
- Nirjarā (Shedding of Karma)
- Bandh (Bondage of Karma)
- Mokṣa (Liberation)
Emphasis on Samyak Darshan (Right Faith): The introductory sections strongly emphasize the paramount importance of Samyak Darshan (Right Faith) as the first step towards liberation. It is described as the foundation of the path to Moksha and is likened to an infallible science for attracting liberation. Without it, true knowledge and conduct are considered impossible. The text quotes scriptures highlighting that even without extensive knowledge, one who has sincere faith in the true principles established by the omniscient (Sarvajña) is considered to have Right Faith.
Scholarly Contributions: The book acknowledges significant improvements, additions, and annotations provided by Acharya Shri Vimayodayasuri, a prominent scholar and disciple of Acharya Shri Vijay Nemisuri. This indicates a collaborative effort to enhance the original treatise.
Historical Context: The preface mentions the book's printing in Vir Samvat 2450 (1923 AD) and its copyright registration according to the Act of 1867. It also references the works of ancient Jain scholars like Acharya Malayagiri (commentator on Panna Sutta), Acharya Umāswati (author of Tattvārtha Sutra), and others, establishing the lineage and authority of the teachings.
Authorship Debate: There is a discussion about the original author of the Navatattva Prakaran. While one inscription suggests Shri Dharmasuri, other evidence points towards the possibility of Acharya Vadideva Suri (guru of Hemchandracharya) as the author of the original 27 verses, with later additions by Shri Dharmasuri. The text presents these possibilities without definitive conclusion.
Detailed Content: The book provides extensive explanations for each of the Nine Tattvas, including their:
- Sub-divisions and classifications: For example, Jiva is classified in various ways (one-sensed, two-sensed, etc., and their apta/anapta stages), Karma is explained through its complex permutations (Prakriti, Sthiti, Ras, Pradesh Bandh).
- Characteristics and definitions: Each Tattva is defined with its essential nature.
- Examples and narratives: Particularly in the context of Dharmakathānuyog, stories and examples are used to illustrate concepts like conduct, patience, and faith.
- Interrelationships: How the Tattvas influence each other (e.g., Āśrava leads to Bandh, Saṃvara and Nirjarā lead to Moksha).
Structure of the Text: The book appears to be structured with a "Vistararth" (detailed explanation) following the core Navatattva verses, supplemented by "Parishisht" (appendices) and "Tippani" (commentaries/notes). The index (Vishayanukramanika) reveals a highly detailed breakdown of the content, covering sub-topics like the fourteen types of Jiva, the nature of senses, the seven types of bodies, the intricacies of karma, the stages of spiritual progress, and descriptions of heavenly and hellish realms.
Language and Style: The text is written in Gujarati, as indicated by the title and publisher's location. The language is formal and scholarly, aiming for precision in philosophical explanation. The authors acknowledge the possibility of printing errors and request feedback for future editions.

In essence, "Navtattva Vistararth" serves as a comprehensive guide to the foundational Nine Tattvas of Jainism, drawing upon scriptural authority and scholarly interpretation to illuminate the path to spiritual understanding and liberation. It highlights the depth and rationality of Jain philosophy, presenting it as a system that explains the entirety of existence and the means to transcend suffering.