Niyamsara Part 01

This is a comprehensive summary of "Niyamsara Part 01" by Acharya Kundakunda, based on the provided text.

Book Title: Niyamsara Part 01 (नियमसार खण्ड-1) Author: Acharya Kundakunda (आचार्य कुन्दकुन्द) Editors/Translators: Dr. Kamlchand Sogani (Editing & Director of Jain Vidya Sansthan - Apbhramsa Sahitya Academy), Smt. Shakuntala Jain (Translator & Assistant Director of Apbhramsa Sahitya Academy) Publisher: Apbhramsa Sahitya Academy, Jain Vidya Sansthan, Shri Mahavirji, Rajasthan Original Language: Sauraseni Prakrit Content: This volume contains the first 76 verses (Gathas) of Acharya Kundakunda's Niyamsara, along with their grammatical analysis, word-for-word meaning (Anvay), and a grammatical translation into Hindi.

Core Concepts and Structure:

The Niyamsara, meaning "Essence of Principles," is a foundational Jain text that elaborates on the path to liberation. This volume focuses on presenting the core principles of Jainism from two perspectives:

1. Nishchaya Naya (Absolute/Internal Perspective): This is the true, ultimate reality, focusing on the soul in its pure, unadulterated state.
2. Vyavahara Naya (Conventional/External Perspective): This is the relative, worldly perspective, which is a means to understand the absolute truth.

The book is structured into several key "Adhikaras" (chapters or sections), with this first volume covering:

• Jiva Adhikara (Soul Chapter): Verses 1-19
• Ajeeva Adhikara (Non-Soul Chapter): Verses 20-37
• Shuddhabhava Adhikara (Pure States Chapter): Verses 38-55
• Vyavaharacharita Adhikara (Conventional Conduct Chapter): Verses 56-76

Key Teachings and Content Breakdown:

The text begins with salutations to Lord Mahavir and the Jain Tirthankaras. It then delves into the fundamental principles:

I. The Three Jewels (Ratnatraya) of Jainism: The Niyamsara emphasizes the importance of Samyagdarshan (Right Faith), Samyagjnana (Right Knowledge), and Samyakcharitra (Right Conduct) as the path to Moksha (Liberation).

• Sampradarshan (Right Faith):

  • Vyavahara Naya: Faith in the Aptas (perfected beings/Gods, like Tirthankaras), Agamas (scriptures derived from the Aptas), and the Dravyas (substances).
    • Aptas are described as those free from all defects and endowed with infinite qualities, exemplified by Tirthankaras possessing Kevala Jnana (omniscience).
    • Agamas are the pure words spoken by the Aptas, free from contradictions.
    • The seven Dravyas (Jiva, Pudgala, Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Kala, and Purushatva) are identified as the constituents of reality.
  • Nishchaya Naya: True faith is in the soul itself, free from all afflictions and impurities. This faith arises from internal causes like the subsidence of delusion-causing karma, rather than solely external ones.

• Samyagjnana (Right Knowledge):

  • Vyavahara Naya: Knowledge that is free from doubt (sanshaya), confusion (vimoha), and wrong perception (vibhrama).
  • Nishchaya Naya: Correct understanding of what is to be abandoned (heya) and what is to be embraced (upadeya). The external substances (Jiva, Pudgala, etc.) are considered heya, while the pure, unadulterated soul (self-substance) is upadeya. The soul is described as formless, motionless, without qualities like color or smell, and beyond the reach of senses and intellect.
  • Types of Knowledge: The text differentiates between Svabhavjnana (Natural Knowledge, infinite, exemplified by Kevala Jnana) and Vibhavajnana (Modified Knowledge, limited). Vibhavajnana is further divided into Samyagjnana (Right Knowledge - Mati, Shruta, Avadhi, Manahparyaya) and Mithyajnana (Wrong Knowledge - Kumati, Kushruta, Kuavdhi).

• Samyakcharitra (Right Conduct):

  • Vyavahara Naya: Adherence to the vows and disciplines prescribed by the Tirthankaras, such as avoiding violence, falsehood, theft, improper conduct, and possession. This also includes the practice of the five Samitis (carefulness in walking, speech, eating, accepting/giving, and excretion) and three Guptis (restraint of mind, speech, and body).
  • Nishchaya Naya: Internal spiritual practice through meditation and contemplation, turning inwards to the soul, which is considered true conduct.

II. The Six Substances (Dravyas): The text systematically describes the six eternal substances of the Jain ontology:

• Jiva (Soul): Possesses consciousness. It is formless, incorporeal, and eternally pure, like the liberated souls (Siddhas), though currently entangled in the cycle of birth and death. Jiva is characterized by Upayoga (consciousness/activity), which is of two types: Jnana-upayoga (knowledge-consciousness) and Darshana-upayoga (faith/perception-consciousness).
• Pudgala (Matter): The only material substance. It is characterized by touch, taste, smell, and color. Pudgala exists in two primary forms: Paramanu (atoms) and Skandhas (aggregates). Atoms are described as indivisible and eternal, forming the basis of all material objects. Skandhas are classified into various types based on their subtlety, from gross to extremely subtle (like karmic matter).
• Dharma (Principle of Motion): An incorporeal substance that facilitates motion for souls and matter.
• Adharma (Principle of Rest): An incorporeal substance that facilitates rest for souls and matter.
• Akasha (Space): An incorporeal substance that provides space for all other substances.
• Kala (Time): An incorporeal substance that causes change and transformation in other substances.

III. States of the Soul and Purity:

• The soul is described as being free from all impurities, afflictions, passions, and limitations associated with worldly existence (e.g., hunger, thirst, fear, anger, desire, old age, disease, death, sorrow, pride, ignorance, attachment, aversion, etc.).
• The soul in its pure state is characterized by the absence of all karmic bondage and the presence of infinite knowledge, faith, bliss, and energy. The liberated souls (Siddhas) exemplify this pure state.
• The text elaborates on the essential qualities of the pure soul, which is formless, invisible, intangible, and devoid of all material attributes like color, taste, smell, and touch. It is also free from all modifications and is the essence of pure consciousness.

IV. Conventional Conduct (Vyavaharacharita): This section details the practical aspects of Jain conduct, which serves as a stepping stone to the ultimate truth. It explains:

• The Five Vows (Pancha Mahavratas):

  1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): Renunciation of violence towards all living beings, starting from understanding the presence of life in even the smallest beings.
  2. Satya (Truthfulness): Abstaining from false speech driven by passion, deceit, or harshness, and speaking truthful, beneficial, and pleasant words.
  3. Asteya (Non-stealing): Renouncing the desire to take what is not freely given, including abstaining from attachment to objects.
  4. Brahmacharya (Chastity): Renouncing sensual desires and attachments, particularly in relation to the opposite sex.
  5. Aparigraha (Non-possession): Renouncing all worldly possessions and attachments, achieved through detachment and contemplation.

• The Five Samitis (Carefulness): Detailed guidelines for careful conduct in:

  1. Irya Samiti (Carefulness in walking)
  2. Bhasha Samiti (Carefulness in speech)
  3. Eshana Samiti (Carefulness in accepting alms/food)
  4. Adana-nikshepana Samiti (Carefulness in accepting and relinquishing objects)
  5. Utsarga Samiti (Carefulness in excretion)

• The Three Guptis (Restraints):

  1. Manogupti (Restraint of mind)
  2. Vachanagupti (Restraint of speech)
  3. Kayagupti (Restraint of body)

• Qualities of the Enlightened Beings: The text describes the characteristics of Tirthankaras (Arhatas) and Siddhas, highlighting their omnipotence, freedom from karma, possession of infinite qualities, and their eternal existence in the highest abode (Lokagraha). It also outlines the virtues of the spiritual preceptors: Acharyas (spiritual guides) and Upadhyayas (teachers).

Purpose and Value of the Edition:

This edition by Dr. Kamlchand Sogani and Smt. Shakuntala Jain is highly valued for its detailed grammatical analysis, Anvay, and translation. It aims to make the profound teachings of Acharya Kundakunda accessible to a wider audience, particularly those interested in Prakrit language and Jain philosophy. The inclusion of extensive glossaries (Sangya-kosh, Kriya-kosh, Krudanta-kosh, Visheshana-kosh, Sarvanama-kosh, Avyaya-kosh) further aids in understanding the nuances of the Prakrit text.

Overall, "Niyamsara Part 01" is a crucial text for understanding the fundamental principles of Jainism, offering a detailed exposition of the path to liberation through Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct, elucidated from both absolute and conventional viewpoints.