Padarth Prakash Part 14 Kshullakbhavavali Prakaran Siddhadandika Stava Shreeyonistava Loknalidwatrin - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Padarth Prakash Part 14: Kshullakbhavavali Prakaran, Siddhadandika Stava, Yonistava, Loknalidwatrinshika" by Acharya Hemchandrasuri, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Padarth Prakash Part 14 (Expounding the Essence of Substances) Author: Acharya Hemchandrasuri (compiled and edited by Acharya Hemchandrasuri) Publisher: Sanghavi Ambalal Ratanchand Jain Dharmik Trust Key Content: This volume focuses on presenting the essence (padartha) and original verses (mulagatha) with their commentaries (avachuri/tippani) of four significant Jain texts:

Shri Kshullakbhavavali Prakaran (Treatise on Lifespans of the Minute)
Shri Siddhadandika Stava (Hymn of the Siddha Pillars)
Shri Yonistava (Hymn on Birthplaces/Origins)
Shri Loknalidwatrinshika (Thirty-two Verses on the Lok [Universe])

Overall Purpose and Context:

The publication is part of a larger series, "Padarth Prakash," dedicated to making the essential teachings (padartha) and original texts of Jain scriptures accessible. The series aims to simplify complex philosophical and cosmological concepts for practitioners, particularly those with limited knowledge of Sanskrit. Acharya Hemchandrasuri is recognized for his extensive work in compiling and presenting these profound texts. This particular volume, Part 14, builds upon previous volumes which covered other important Jain works.

Detailed Summary of Each Text:

Shri Kshullakbhavavali Prakaran (by Shri Dharmashakhar Gani, with commentary by an unknown author):
- Subject: This text deals with the intricate calculation of time units and the number of minute lifespans (kshullakbhav) and avalikas (a specific unit of time) that occur within various temporal durations.
- Key Concepts Explained: The book meticulously breaks down and calculates the relationship between fundamental units of time such as:
  - Time (Samay)
  - Avalika
  - Kshullakbhav
  - Exhalation (Shwasochchvas)
  - Stok (a unit of time)
  - Lav (a unit of time)
  - Muhurta (a period of time, approx. 48 minutes)
  - Ahoratra (a day and night)
- Methodology: The text, with its commentary, provides detailed numerical calculations to establish the precise number of these units within each other. This includes complex fractional and multiplicative relationships to quantify these minute temporal divisions. The provided pages show numerous equations and conversions (e.g., "1 Avalika = countless Samay," "256 Avalika = 1 Kshullakbhav").
Shri Siddhadandika Stava (by Shri Devendrasuri, with commentary by an unknown author):
- Subject: This hymn focuses on enumerating the souls who have attained liberation (Siddhahood) and those who have attained the highest realms of existence (Anuttara) from the lineage of Rishabhdev Bhagwan up to the time of Jaitrashatru Raja (father of Ajitanath Bhagwan).
- Key Concepts Explained: The text presents seven types of "Siddhadandikas" (pillars or classifications of liberated souls) to categorize these souls:
  - Anuloma Siddhadandika: Describes a progressive increase in the number of souls going to Anuttara after every fourteen lakh kings of Rishabhdev's lineage attained liberation. (e.g., 14 lakh liberated, 1 to Anuttara; then 14 lakh liberated, 2 to Anuttara, and so on, up to 50).
  - Pratiloma Siddhadandika: Describes a progressive increase in the number of souls going to liberation after every fourteen lakh kings of Rishabhdev's lineage attained Anuttara. (e.g., 14 lakh to Anuttara, 1 to liberation; then 14 lakh to Anuttara, 2 to liberation, up to 50).
  - Samasankhya Siddhadandika: Describes equal numbers of souls going to liberation and Anuttara in alternating sequences.
  - Ekotara Siddhadandika: Classifies souls based on a pattern where the number increases by one in each subsequent group.
  - Vyuttara Siddhadandika: Classifies souls based on a pattern where the number increases by two in each subsequent group.
  - Truttara Siddhadandika: Classifies souls based on a pattern where the number increases by three in each subsequent group.
  - Vishamaottara Siddhadandika: This is the most complex, detailing various types of progressive increases in irregular (vishama) numbers, often involving additions of specific sequences of numbers.
- Methodology: The text provides tabular representations and numerical sequences for each Siddhadandika to illustrate the counts of souls in liberation and Anuttara, with the concept of infinite repetition applied.
Shri Yonistava (by Shri Dharmaghoshasuri, with commentary by an unknown author):
- Subject: This hymn explores the concept of "Yoni" (birthplaces or origins) in Jainism, classifying them based on various characteristics and the types of beings that originate from them.
- Key Concepts Explained: The text categorizes Yonis into three types based on:
  - Composition: Sachitta (living), Achitta (non-living), Mishra (mixed).
  - Temperature: Shita (cold), Ushna (hot), Mishra (mixed).
  - Enclosure: Samvrita (covered/enclosed), Vivrita (open), Mishra (mixed).
- Further Classifications: It details specific types of human yonis (Shankhavalika, Kurmonnata, Vamshipatra) and lists the eight types of Trasa (mobile) beings based on their mode of birth (e.g., egg-born, womb-born). It also lists six types of Vanaspatikaya (plant-bodied) beings based on their propagation.
- Enumeration: The text provides a numerical count of 8.4 million Yonis, along with the number of "Kul" (lineages or groups of beings originating from a Yoni) for various categories of beings.
- Spiritual Significance: The hymn concludes with a plea for divine grace to avoid rebirth in these cyclical "Yoni-Kul" realms of existence.
Shri Loknalidwatrinshika (by Upadhyaya Shri Dharmakirti, later Shri Dharmaghoshasuri, with commentary by an unknown author):
- Subject: This text describes the structure, dimensions, and composition of the Jain universe (Lok).
- Key Concepts Explained:
  - Shape of the Lok: Described as resembling a standing human figure, or a stack of bowls.
  - Composition of the Lok: It is filled with the six eternal substances (dravyas) of Jainism: Jiva (soul), Pudgala (matter), Dharma (principle of motion), Adharma (principle of rest), Akasha (space), and Kala (time).
  - Dimensions: The Lok's height is 14 Raj. Its width varies from 1 Raj at the top and bottom to 7 Raj at the widest point in the lower realms and 5 Raj in the middle of the upper realms, tapering in between.
  - Trasnadi: A central, vertical channel called the Trasnadi runs through the Lok, crucial for the existence of mobile beings.
  - Khandukas: The Lok is described as being composed of interconnected segments called "Khandukas." The text provides detailed calculations and diagrams for the number of Khandukas in different regions of the Lok (upper, middle, and lower realms), increasing and decreasing in specific patterns.
  - Ghata Lok: The text explains a concept of a "condensed Lok" where parts of the universe are rearranged to form a more compact, cubical structure, and the number of Khandukas in this condensed form are also calculated.
- Methodology: The text uses numerical calculations and analogies to explain the vast cosmic structure. It includes details about the relative positions of different celestial realms and beings within the Lok.

Editorial and Publication Details:

Compiler/Editor: Acharya Hemchandrasuri
Publisher: Sanghavi Ambalal Ratanchand Jain Dharmik Trust
First Edition: 500 copies
Significance of Publication: The publisher expresses gratitude for the opportunity to publish these works compiled by Pujya Gurudev Shri Hemchandrasuri. They mention that previous volumes (1-13) covered various karmic texts, but this volume specifically presents four significant texts. The original publication of these texts was done 99 years prior (in V.S. 1968) by Shri Atmabodh Jain Sabha in Bhavnagar, with research and editing by Muniraj Shri Chaturvijayji.
Acknowledgements: Thanks are extended to the printing press (Kirit Graphics) and the title designer (Multi Graphics).
Overall Goal: The publication aims to facilitate the understanding of these subjects for the spiritual growth and ultimate liberation of all beings.
Literary Context: The text acknowledges the lineage of spiritual guides and inspiration behind this publication.

In essence, this volume of Padarth Prakash provides detailed, calculated explanations of complex temporal units, spiritual classifications of liberated souls, diverse origins of life, and the intricate structure of the Jain universe, all compiled and presented in an accessible manner under the guidance of Acharya Hemchandrasuri.