Nischay Aur Vyavahar Dharm Me Sadhya Sadhakbhav - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Nischay aur Vyavahar Dharm me Sadhya Sadhakbhav" (The Relationship of Goal and Means in Determinative and Conventional Dharma):

The text, authored by Bansidhar Pandit, explores the nature of Dharma in Jainism, differentiating between Nischay Dharma (Determinative Dharma) and Vyavahar Dharma (Conventional Dharma), and elucidating the Sadhya Sadakbhav (the relationship of the goal and the means) between them.

1. The Nature of Dharma:

From the perspective of Vastu Vijnana (Ontology, Dravyanuyoga), Dharma is defined by the aphorism "Vatthusahavo dhammo" (the inherent nature of a substance is Dharma), meaning it is the soul's self-existent nature.
However, from the perspective of Adhyatma (Spirituality, Karananuyoga and Charananuyoga), Dharma is understood as that which liberates the soul from the suffering of the world and leads it to the supreme state of self-liberation and bliss (Moksha).

2. Spiritual Dharma Analyzed:

The Ratnakarand Shravakachara categorizes spiritual Dharma into Samyagdarshan (Right Faith) and Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct).
Conversely, Mithyadarshan (False Faith), Mithyajnana (False Knowledge), and Mithyak Charitra (False Conduct) are identified as the causes of worldly existence.

3. Division of Spiritual Dharma into Nischay and Vyavahar, and their Goal-Means Relationship:

Quoting from the Chhedala by Pandit Daulatramji, the text states that the soul's welfare and happiness lie in the absence of agitation, which is found in Moksha. Therefore, souls should strive for the path to Moksha.
This path is identified as Samyagdarshan, Samyagjnana, and Samyak Charitra. These are further divided into two categories:
- Nischay Moksha Marga (Determinative Path to Moksha): This refers to Samyagdarshan, Samyagjnana, and Samyak Charitra that are truly in line with the soul's pure, inherent nature.
- Vyavahar Moksha Marga (Conventional Path to Moksha): This refers to the actions and practices that serve as causes for the manifestation of the Nischay Moksha Marga.
The Chhedala's exposition clearly explains the analysis of the path to Moksha in terms of Samyagdarshan, Samyagjnana, and Samyak Charitra, their division into Nischay and Vyavahar aspects, and the inherent Sadhya-Sadakbhav between these two paths.
The commentary on the Panchastikaya (Gatha 105 by Acharya Jayasena and Gathas 159, 160, 161 by Acharya Amritachandra) also supports this view, stating that the Vyavahar Moksha Marga is the cause of the Nischay Moksha Marga, thereby acknowledging the Sadhya-Sadakbhav between them.

4. Explanation of Nischay Dharma:

According to Karananuyoga, the soul has been bound by Mohaniya Karma (delusion-inducing karma) since time immemorial. Its effect causes impure, derivative transformations (Vibhavaparinaman) of the soul's inherent, pure nature (Bhavavashakti).
The cessation of these impure transformations is achieved through the pacification (upsham), destruction (kshay), or partial destruction (kshayopasham) of Mohaniya Karma.
The pure, self-natured transformation of the soul's Bhavavashakti that occurs after the cessation of impure transformations is called Nischay Dharma. This manifests in the following stages:
- (a) Nischay Samyagdarshan & Nischay Samyagjnana: Achieved through the pacification, destruction, or partial destruction of Mithyatva, Samyag-Mithyatva, and Samyak Prakriti of Darshan Mohaniya Karma, and Anantanubandhi Kashaya (intense passions) of Charitra Mohaniya Karma. This occurs in the first moment of the fourth stage of spiritual progress (Gunasthan).
- (b) Deshvirati-Nischay Samyak Charitra (Limited Right Conduct): Manifests in the first moment of the fifth Gunasthan, through the partial destruction of Apratyakhyanavarana Kashaya (passions preventing partial vows).
- (c) Sarvavirati-Nischay Samyak Charitra (Complete Right Conduct): Manifests in the first moment of the seventh Gunasthan, through the partial destruction of Pratyakhyanavarana Kashaya (passions preventing complete vows). Souls in the seventh Gunasthan may oscillate between the sixth and seventh stages.
- (d) Yathakhyat-Nischay Samyak Charitra (True Right Conduct): Occurs in the eleventh Gunasthan (Opshamik) or twelfth Gunasthan (Kshayik) when further passions (Nav Nokashayas, Apratyakhyanavarana, Pratyakhyanavarana, and Sanjvalan Kashaya) are pacified or destroyed. This is the highest form of Nischay Dharma.

5. Explanation of Vyavahar Dharma:

Vyavahar Dharma can be systematically described only in humans, as they possess both ungrasped and grasped false beliefs (Agrahit and Grahit Mithyatva), unlike hell-dwellers, gods, and animals who only have ungrasped false beliefs.
According to Charananuyoga, the soul's Bhavavashakti experiences impure transformations (Mithyaparinaman) of false faith (Atattva Shradhhan) and false knowledge (Atattva Jnana) under the influence of Paap (sinful) Aghati Karma.
When virtuous (Punhya) Aghati Karma influences the soul, these impure transformations cease, and pure transformations of true faith (Tattva Shradhhan) and true knowledge (Tattva Jnana) begin.
Vyavahar Dharma is thus understood as:
- Vyavahar Samyagdarshan: The soul's Bhavavashakti transformation of true faith, supported by the heart.
- Vyavahar Samyagjnana: The soul's Bhavavashakti transformation of true knowledge, supported by the brain.
- Vyavahar Samyak Charitra: The soul's Kriyavashakti (active power) transformation of ethical conduct and limited/complete vows, supported by mind, speech, and actions. This involves abstaining from sinful activities and engaging in virtuous ones.
Vyavahar Mithyadharma (False Conventional Dharma) includes:
- Vyavahar Mithyadarshan: False faith (Atattva Shradhhan) in the heart.
- Vyavahar Mithyajnana: False knowledge (Atattva Jnana) in the brain.
- Vyavahar Mithyak Charitra: Sinful mental, verbal, and physical actions driven by false faith and knowledge.
If a soul, under the influence of Vyavahar Samyagdarshan and Samyagjnana, cannot completely abstain from sinful actions due to weakness, but abstains from some or all of the "Arambhi Paap" (actions involving beginning of harm) while continuing to perform some unavoidable sinful acts along with virtuous acts, this is called Vyavahar Avirati (lack of complete abstinence).

6. Key Distinctions and Connections:

Nischay Adharma (Determinative Unrighteousness): The text also notes that the development of Nischay Adharma (false beliefs and conduct) in the first three Gunasthans is due to the influence of Mohaniya Karma (Mithyatva, Anantanubandhi Kashaya, Samyag-Mithyatva Prakriti).
Bhava-Avirati: In the fourth Gunasthan, the soul's state with the presence of Nav Nokashayas and the combined influence of Apratyakhyanavarana, Pratyakhyanavarana, and Sanjvalan Kashayas is termed Bhava-Avirati, which is neither false conduct nor true conduct.
Applicability of Gunasthans: Abhavya (non-liberatable) souls remain in the first Gunasthan. Bhavya (liberatable) souls progress through all Gunasthans up to the fourteenth.
Development of Nischay Dharma: Nischay Dharma develops only in Bhavya souls, starting from the first moment of the fourth Gunasthan. Its progress culminates in the eleventh or twelfth Gunasthan.
Development of Vyavahar Dharma: Vyavahar Dharma can develop in the first Gunasthan in both Bhavya and Abhavya souls. It is essential for acquiring the four "Labdhis" (aptitudes) and "Karan Labdhi" (aptitude for transformation) in Bhavya souls. Vyavahar Samyak Charitra (limited or complete) develops in later stages as well.
Vyavahar Dharma in Later Stages: Vyavahar Dharma exists internally from the seventh to tenth Gunasthans. It is involuntary in the second and third Gunasthans and completely absent from the eleventh Gunasthan onwards, where only Nischay Dharma prevails.
Moksha and Nischay Dharma: Moksha (liberation) is achieved through Nischay Dharma. Moksha is the complete severance of the soul from the body, which occurs in the fourteenth Gunasthan upon the destruction of the four Aghati Karmas. This state is reached after the cessation of soul's actions in the thirteenth Gunasthan and the destruction of three Ghati Karmas (Jnanavarana, Darshanavarana, Antaraya) in the twelfth Gunasthan. The twelfth Gunasthan signifies the completion of Nischay Dharma with the destruction of Mohaniya Karma.
Vyavahar Dharma as the Cause of Nischay Dharma: The text unequivocally states that Nischay Dharma is achieved through Vyavahar Dharma. The development of Nischay Dharma in the fourth Gunasthan and its subsequent progress are dependent on the development of various "Labdhis," which in turn are cultivated through Vyavahar Dharma.
Cultivating Qualities within Vyavahar Dharma: To achieve the necessary pacification, destruction, or partial destruction of Mohaniya Karma for Nischay Dharma, Vyavahar Dharma requires the cultivation of positive qualities like:
- Prashamabhav (tranquility) against absolute false beliefs.
- Samvegbhav (ardor) against contrary false beliefs.
- Anukampabhav (compassion) against false humility.
- Astikkyabhav (faith) against doubt.
- Vivekabhav (discretion) against ignorant false beliefs.
- Friendliness towards all beings.
- Admiration for the virtuous.
- Service to the suffering.
- Equanimity towards those with opposing views and practices.

In conclusion, the text emphasizes that Vyavahar Dharma serves as the essential means (Sadak) for the realization of the ultimate goal (Sadhya) of Nischay Dharma, which ultimately leads to liberation (Moksha). Vyavahar Dharma provides the foundational practices and ethical conduct necessary for spiritual progress, enabling the soul to eventually realize its pure, inherent nature through Nischay Dharma.