Niyamsar Ki 53 Vi Gatha Aur Uski Vyakhya Evam Arthpar Anuchintan - Book Summary

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Book Title: Niyamsar ki 53 vi Gatha aur uski Vyakhya evam Arthpar Anuchintan Author: Darbarilal Kothiya Publisher: Z_Darbarilal_Kothiya_Abhinandan_Granth_012020.pdf Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/211272/1

This document, "Niyamsar ki 53 vi Gatha aur uski Vyakhya evam Arthpar Anuchintan" by Darbarilal Kothiya, critically examines the 53rd verse (gatha) of Acharya Kundkund's Niyamsar, its Sanskrit commentary, and the subsequent interpretations.

Introduction to Niyamsar:

Niyamsar is a highly revered and widely studied Prakrit text within the Jain tradition, alongside Acharya Kundkund's Samaysar.
Both texts are fundamentally spiritual. While Samaysar is purely spiritual, Niyamsar is both spiritual and a philosophical exposition.
Unlike Samaysar and Pravachansar which have elaborate Sanskrit commentaries by Acharya Amritchandra, Niyamsar does not have one by him, although the author believes it would be fitting given Kundkund's inclinations.
A Sanskrit commentary on Niyamsar is available by Shri Padmaprabh Maladharidev. This commentary includes explanations of the verses and numerous Sanskrit verses from his own and other authors' works. While not as profound as Amritchandra's, it supports the intended meaning.

The Core Issue: A Theoretical Misinterpretation of Gatha 53: The author asserts that the Sanskrit commentator, Shri Padmaprabh Maladharidev, made a significant theoretical error in explaining Gatha 53. This error was subsequently followed by Shri Kanjiswami in his discourses and by the Gujarati and Hindi translators of Niyamsar.

Gatha 53 and its Interpretations:

The Gatha 53 is presented as: Original Prakrit: सम्मत्तस्स णिमित्तं जिणसूत्तं तस्स जाणया पुरिसा । अंतरहेऊ भणिदा . सण मोहस्स खयपहुदी ॥५३॥

Sanskrit Commentary (by Shri Padmaprabh Maladharidev): "Asya samyaktvaparinamasy bahyasahakarikaranam Vitaraga Sarvajna-mukhakamalanirgatasamastavastu-pratipadan-samarthadravyashrutameva Tattvajnanamiti. Ye mumukshavah tepyupacharatah padarthanirnayhetutvat antarangha hetavah ityuktah Darshanmohaniya-karmakshaya-prabhṛteh sakashaditi."

Literal Hindi Translation (by Shri Maganlal Jain, based on Gujarati translation): "The cause for Right Faith (Samyaktva) is Jin-Sutra (the scriptures of the Jinas). The inner causes for the knowers of Jin-Sutra are said to be the destruction etc. of Deluding Karmas of Conduct (Darshan Mohaniya)."

Author's Analysis of the Error: The author argues that the Sanskrit commentary and its followers have misinterpreted the word "pahudī" in the latter half of Gatha 53.

"Pahudī" as Plural of Nominative Case: Acharya Kundkund intended "pahudī" to be the plural form of the nominative case, meaning "etc." or "and others" (Sanskrit: "prabhṛtayaḥ"). This signifies the collection of the subsidence (upsham), partial destruction (kshayopasham), and complete destruction (kshay) of the Darshan Mohaniya karma. These are the internal causes for the three types of Right Faith: Upashamic, Kshayo-pshamic, and Kshayik Samyaktva, respectively.
The Commentator's Error: Shri Padmaprabh Maladharidev mistakenly understood "pahudī" as a form of the fifth case (Panchami vibhakti), implying "from" or "beginning from." This led him to believe that the knowers of Jin-Sutra were an internal cause.
Consequences of the Error:
- This misinterpretation suggests that the knowers of Jin-Sutra are an internal cause for Samyaktva.
- It wrongly connects the destruction etc. of Darshan Mohaniya karma with the knowers of Jin-Sutra as a cause.

Scholarly Support for the Correct Interpretation: The author cites the interpretations of eminent Acharyas:

Acharya Pujyapada (in Sarvarthasiddhi on Tattvartha Sutra 1.7): He distinguishes between internal and external causes of Samyaktva. The internal cause is always the subsidence, destruction, or partial destruction of Darshan Mohaniya karma in all four types of existence. The external causes vary by existence.
Acharya Akalankadeva (in Tattvartha Varttika on 1.7): He states that the internal cause is the subsidence, destruction, or partial destruction of Darshan Mohaniya karma, and the external cause is instruction etc., while the self (Atma) is the material cause.

These authorities clearly establish that the knowers of Jin-Sutra are external causes, never internal. Connecting them causally with the destruction of Darshan Mohaniya karma is fundamentally incorrect. The statement in the scripture that the commencement of the destruction of Darshan Mohaniya karma (which obstructs Kshayik Samyaktva) occurs in the presence of Kevali or Shruta Kevali is the basis for considering knowers of Jin-Sutra as external causes.

Confirmation by Kundkund-Bharati Editor: The editor of Kundkund-Bharati, Dr. Pt. Pannalalji Sahityacharya, is also cited as agreeing with the author's interpretation of Gatha 53. He correctly identifies Jin-Sutra and its knowers as external causes, and the subsidence etc. of Darshan Mohaniya karma as the internal cause. He emphasizes that external causes may or may not lead to the result, but internal causes definitely do.

Conclusion and Call for Correction: The author concludes that the Sanskrit commentary by Shri Padmaprabh Maladharidev made a significant theoretical error by presenting knowers of Jin-Sutra as an internal cause and connecting them with the destruction of Darshan Mohaniya karma. This error has been perpetuated by Shri Kanjiswami and the Gujarati and Hindi translators.

The author stresses the urgent need to rectify these misinterpretations to prevent the propagation of incorrect doctrines and to ensure the accurate understanding of Acharya Kundkund's teachings.