Nityakram Pratahkalno

This document, "Nityakram Pratahkalno" (Daily Routine for Morning), published by Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram, Agas, is a compilation of prayers, verses, and rituals intended for the morning spiritual practice within the Jain tradition, particularly influenced by the teachings of Shrimad Rajchandra.

The book is structured as a step-by-step guide for a devout Jain practitioner, aiming to cultivate spiritual awareness and detachment from worldly affairs. Here's a comprehensive summary of its contents:

I. Introduction and Salutations (Page 1-2):

• The book begins with a dedication to the spiritual teacher (Sadguru) and establishes the purpose of the text: to guide the practitioner through their morning devotional activities between 4 AM and 6 AM.
• Mangalacharan (Auspicious Invocation): The initial verses praise the words of the Sadguru, highlighting their beneficial nature for the world, their power to awaken consciousness, stabilize one's mind, and inspire a pure nature. These verses emphasize the path towards the realization of the true self, leading to Vitarag (passionless) and Nirvana. It also extols the virtues of the Guru as the revealer of the true God, Dharma, and Self, and acknowledges their role in the expansive spread of Jain scriptures.

II. Core Devotional Practices and Teachings (Page 2-19):

• Praise of Jinendra's Words (Page 2-3): It is stated that the words of the Jinas (Tirthankaras) are boundless and filled with various bhavas (inner states) and nayas (perspectives). These words are described as beneficial to all beings, eradicating worldly attachments, and guiding one across the ocean of birth and death to liberation. The text acknowledges the limitations of human understanding in fully grasping the profundity of the Jinas' teachings, attributing true understanding to those who have followed the path taught by the Sadguru.
• Morning Bhavana (Meditative Contemplation) (Page 3): This section consists of verses focusing on meditating on the feet of the Jinas, seeking to destroy karmic bonds and attain one's true self. The emphasis is on abandoning worldly attachments (abhav) and embracing one's inherent, blissful, and pure nature (swabhav). It highlights the importance of meditating on the Jinas as the destroyers of karma and the source of peace, and how contemplation on knowledge, meditation, and detachment leads to crossing the ocean of existence.
• Three Mantras (Page 4): The text presents three powerful mantras related to the Self, the Guru, and the concept of liberation. The first mantra likely refers to the ultimate guru, the soul itself. The second emphasizes the pure, unattached nature of the soul. The third highlights the significance of the pure soul as the ultimate deity and the path to liberation.
• Spiritual Awakening Verses (Page 4-6): These verses delve into the nature of the soul as distinct from the material body. They use analogies like a lotus in water or gold in fire to illustrate the soul's inherent purity and separateness from worldly attachments. The text speaks of realizing this true nature through meditation and the association with a Sadguru, leading to disinterest in worldly affairs. It also describes the feeling of divine presence during spiritual practice. The verses also reflect on personal spiritual progress, citing specific years when significant spiritual shifts occurred, like detachment and pure equanimity (samkit).
• Poem on Personal Spiritual Journey (Page 5-6): A significant portion is dedicated to a poem narrating the author's (likely Shrimad Rajchandra himself, based on the context) spiritual journey. It details periods of spiritual awakening, detachment, and the eventual overcoming of worldly attachments and ego. The poem emphasizes the gradual shedding of worldly burdens and the realization of the soul's true nature, leading towards the state of Kevalgyan (omniscience).
• Discrimination of Soul and Matter (Page 6): These verses clearly delineate the difference between the soul (Jiva) and matter (Ajiva), emphasizing that their inherent natures are distinct. It highlights that the illusion of oneness between the body and soul is due to ignorance, and this misconception leads to suffering. True knowledge, gained through the teachings of the enlightened, dispels this illusion, revealing the inherent nature of both soul and matter.
• Praise of the Supreme Being (Page 7): A verse praises the supreme soul, described as the great, venerable, abode of virtues, and the embodiment of consciousness and bliss.
• The Essence of Guru Bhakti (Devotion to the Guru) (Page 7-8): This section comprises twenty couplets (Dohas) expressing deep humility and devotion to the Guru. The verses confess the speaker's shortcomings, lack of spiritual progress, and dependence on the Guru's grace. They acknowledge the Guru's teachings as the only means to liberation and express a fervent plea for the Guru's guidance and protection. The verses highlight the inadequacy of worldly efforts without the Guru's grace and the importance of surrendering to the Guru's feet.
• Alocana Path (Confession of Sins) (Page 9-12): This is a detailed prayer of confession, seeking forgiveness for a multitude of sins committed through body, mind, and speech, across various life forms. It lists transgressions such as harming living beings (from one-sensed to five-sensed), violence, falsehood, theft, lust, greed, anger, pride, deceit, and negligence in following Jain vows and principles. The confession covers sins related to the five senses, forbidden foods, breaking vows, and the influence of emotions like anger, pride, and attachment. It expresses remorse for harming even the smallest creatures and for the lack of compassion. The practitioner acknowledges the Guru's omniscience and seeks refuge in the Jinas for their liberation.
• Samayik Path (Ritual of Equanimity) (Page 12-15): This section outlines the practice of Samayik, a key Jain observance of equanimity.
  • Pratikraman Karma (Repentance): It begins with acknowledging the immense suffering in the cycle of birth and death and the rarity of attaining the opportunity for Samayik. The practitioner confesses sins committed through mind, speech, and body, seeking purification in the presence of the omniscient Jinas.
  • Pratyakhyan Karma (Renunciation): This part focuses on renouncing sinful actions and desires, acknowledging the preciousness of human life and the opportunities for spiritual growth that have been squandered.
  • Samayik Karma (Equanimity): This is the core practice of Samayik, emphasizing the cultivation of equanimity towards all beings, regardless of their form or nature. It involves letting go of the eightfold passions (anger, pride, deceit, greed, attachment, aversion, ego, and hatred) and embracing a state of mental stillness and detachment. The verses highlight the practice of seeing all beings as equal and treating everyone with compassion and forgiveness.
  • Stavan Karma (Praise): This section involves praising the virtues and qualities of all 24 Tirthankaras, from Rishabhdev to Mahavir. Each Tirthankara is invoked with specific attributes and blessings.
  • Vandana Karma (Salutation): This involves bowing down to the Tirthankaras, acknowledging their supreme status and seeking their blessings for liberation. It includes specific verses praising Mahavir Swami and his life's journey.
  • Kayotsarg Karma (Self-Observation/Detachment): This final part of the six essential observances (Avashyak Karma) involves standing still, meditating on the self, and renouncing the physical body and worldly attachments. It includes directional salutations to Jin temples and the practice of mental focus. It reiterates the importance of Samayik as a means to overcome enmity and foster friendship, and how its practice leads to the cessation of suffering.

III. Philosophical Reflections and Aspirations (Page 19-27):

• My Bhavana (My Aspirations) (Page 19-20): This is a personal reflection on the kind of life the practitioner aspires to live. It emphasizes the importance of devotion to the Guru, detachment from worldly desires, living a virtuous life, showing compassion to the suffering, practicing non-violence, honesty, contentment, and the pursuit of knowledge. It expresses a desire for equanimity in all situations, fearlessness, and the ultimate aspiration for the well-being and spiritual upliftment of all beings.
• What is the Seed of Kevalya? (Page 20-21): This section explores the path to Kevalya (omniscience). It discusses various spiritual practices like Yama, Niyama, renunciation, meditation, and scriptural study, acknowledging that even intense efforts may not directly lead to the desired outcome. It emphasizes the indispensable role of a Sadguru in revealing the true path and the ultimate secret to Kevalya. It highlights the importance of complete surrender to the Guru and the integration of their teachings with one's own self.
• Pachkshan (Renunciation/Vow) (Page 21-22): This section includes prayers for seeking forgiveness for past transgressions. It expresses deep remorse for neglecting the Guru's teachings and straying from the path of righteousness. The practitioner acknowledges their ignorance, ego, and impurity, and seeks the Guru's guidance to understand the true nature of the self. It emphasizes the realization that liberation is only possible through the teachings of the Vitaraga (passionless) beings and a sincere commitment to their path. The prayers express a strong desire for unwavering faith in the teachings and constant contemplation of the true self.
• Six Statements (Page 22-27): This section elaborates on six fundamental statements about the soul, considered crucial for right understanding (Samyak Darshan). These are: 1. The soul exists. 2. The soul is eternal. 3. The soul is the doer. 4. The soul is the enjoyer. 5. The soul is capable of liberation. 6. There are means to achieve liberation. The text explains each of these points in detail, emphasizing the soul's distinct nature from the body, its inherent permanence, its agency in actions and their consequences, and the path of knowledge, conduct, and faith leading to liberation. It concludes by revering the Gurus who impart this profound knowledge.

IV. Prayers, Stotras, and Rituals (Page 27-43):

• Praise and Prayers to the Guru and Tirthankaras (Page 27-30): This extensive section includes numerous verses and hymns praising the Guru, the Tirthankaras, and the essence of Jain philosophy. It speaks of the Guru's immense grace in revealing the truth about the soul and the path to liberation. The verses express gratitude for the teachings, the realization of self, and the ability to overcome worldly attachments. It includes prayers for spiritual strength, wisdom, and devotion.
• Various Stotras and Prayers: The text includes various stotras (hymnal praises) dedicated to different Tirthankaras and Jain principles, such as the "Bhaktamar Stotra" (implied), praises for Rishabhdev, Parshvanath, Mahavir, and the Panch Parameṣṭhis (Arhant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu).
• Chaitya Vandan (Temple Worship) (Page 30-37): This section details the rituals and verses recited during temple worship. It includes:
  • The Navkar Mantra, the fundamental Jain mantra of salutation.
  • The "Khama Saman" (asking for forgiveness).
  • The "Irlyavahia Sutra" and "Uttaradhyayana Sutra" (prayers for purification and repentance).
  • The "Agnath Usasien Sutra" (a preparatory prayer for meditation).
  • The "Logassa Sutra" (praise of the Tirthankaras).
  • Various verses and procedures for Chaitya Vandan, including praises for Shantinath, Parshvanath, and the Panch Parameṣṭhis.
  • The "Jaga Chitaman Sutra" and "Namuthane va Shakrastava Sutra" (Sanskrit prayers of praise and salutation).
  • "Javanti Cheiyai Sutra" (salutation to all Jin temples).
  • The "Javanta Ke Tri Sahu Sutra" (salutation to saints in different regions).
  • The "Upsargahar Stavan" (a hymn for overcoming obstacles, specifically praising Parshvanath).
  • The "Jay Virayara Sutra" (praise of Lord Mahavir).
  • The "Arihant Chethyanu Sutra" (a prayer dedicated to the shrines of Arihants).
• Concluding Prayers and Vows (Page 38-42): This section includes final prayers and reflections, such as:
  • "Kalyankand Stuti" (praise of auspicious beings).
  • Praises and salutations to the Sadguru, emphasizing their role in spiritual enlightenment and the removal of ego.
  • A heartfelt expression of gratitude and surrender to the Guru.
  • "Prabhu Upkar Kaun Utare Paar" (a song reflecting on the Guru's unparalleled grace).
  • "Aath Yog Drishti ni Sajhay" (an exposition of eight stages of spiritual practice attributed to Yashovijayji Upadhyay). This is a significant philosophical section detailing different perspectives and levels of spiritual understanding and practice.
  • Concluding prayers that express the ultimate aspiration for peace, liberation, and the adherence to the path shown by the Vitaragas.

V. Vows and Practices (Page 52-54):

• Pachkshan (Vows) (Page 52-54): This section details the procedures for taking various Jain vows, including:
  • Chauvihar (abstaining from food, water, and all activities after sunset).
  • Tivihar (abstaining from food, water, and specific items).
  • Ekasana/Asana (taking one meal a day).
  • Ayambil (eating simple, unspiced food prepared without oil).
  • Chauvihar for the day.
  • Vows related to drinking water.

Overall Theme and Purpose:

"Nityakram Pratahkalno" is a comprehensive guide for a Jain practitioner to commence their day with spiritual reflection and devotion. It emphasizes:

• The Supremacy of the Guru: The text consistently highlights the Guru's role as the dispeller of ignorance and the guide to liberation.
• The Importance of the Jinas' Teachings: The profound wisdom and path of the Tirthankaras are central to the book's message.
• Self-Realization and Detachment: The core aim is to help the practitioner understand their true soul nature, detach from worldly possessions and emotions, and cultivate equanimity.
• Ethical Conduct and Renunciation: The importance of adherence to Jain principles, vows, and the confession of sins is stressed.
• Devotion and Prayer: The book provides a structured framework for engaging in prayer, meditation, and various devotional practices to foster spiritual progress.

This book serves as a spiritual manual, guiding the Jain practitioner through a disciplined morning routine aimed at cultivating inner peace, knowledge, and ultimately, liberation.