Padartha Vigyan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Padartha Vigyan" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Padartha Vigyan (पदार्थ विज्ञान) Author: Ratanchand Bharilla (as editor/compiler of lectures) Publisher: Todarmal Granthamala Jaipur Based on the lectures of: Shri Kanji Swami on Pravachanasara Gathas 99-101.

Overall Theme:

"Padartha Vigyan" is a compilation of spiritual discourses by Shri Kanji Swami, explaining fundamental Jain principles of substance (dravya) and its modes (paryaya) as elaborated by Acharya Kundakunda in the Pravachanasara. The central concept discussed is Utpad-Vyay-Dhrouvya (production-decay-permanence), which is presented as the inherent nature of all substances (padartha) in the universe. The book emphasizes that understanding this principle is crucial for grasping the essence of Jain philosophy and achieving spiritual liberation.

Key Concepts and Summary Points:

Definition of Substance (Dravya):
- The book defines a substance (dravya) as something that is "Sat" (real, existent) and possesses attributes (gunas) and modes (paryayas).
- Acharya Umashwami's definition, "Utpad-vyay-dhrouvya-yukt sat" and "guna-paryayavad dravyam," is highlighted. This means a substance is characterized by its continuous existence (dhrouvya) despite undergoing constant change in its modes (utpad - production, vyay - decay).
The Six Substances (Dravyas) of the Universe:
- The text introduces the six fundamental substances of the Jain universe: Jiva (soul), Pudgala (matter), Dharma (medium of motion), Adharma (medium of rest), Akash (space), and Kala (time).
- These substances are described as eternal and uncreated.
- Jiva: Conscious, possessing knowledge, perception, and bliss.
- Ajiva: Non-conscious substances. Pudgala is physical (murtik), while the other five are non-physical (amurtik).
- Dharma & Adharma: These are technical terms in Jainism, not related to morality. Dharma facilitates movement, and Adharma facilitates rest for Jivas and Pudgala.
- Pudgala: The only material substance, composed of atoms and molecules. It is mutable and the cause of physical phenomena.
- Akash: Provides space for the existence of other substances.
- Kala: Time, which facilitates change and is considered one-souled (ekapradeshi).
The Principle of Utpad-Vyay-Dhrouvya:
- This is the core philosophical concept explained in the book, derived from Pravachanasara Gathas 99, 100, and 101.
- Utpad (Production): The emergence of a new mode or state.
- Vyay (Decay): The disappearance of an old mode or state.
- Dhrouvya (Permanence): The underlying substance that remains constant through these changes in modes.
- Interdependence: These three aspects are inseparable and co-exist. A new mode (utpad) arises from the decay of an old mode (vyay), while the substance itself remains permanent (dhrouvya).
- Analogy of a Pearl Necklace: The text uses the analogy of a pearl necklace. Each pearl has its own place and appearance (utpad), while the preceding pearls are no longer at the forefront (vyay). The thread holding them together provides continuity and permanence (dhrouvya). Similarly, the substance's existence is a continuous flow of changing modes, held together by its inherent permanent nature.
Application of Utpad-Vyay-Dhrouvya to Substances:
- The lectures meticulously explain how Utpad-Vyay-Dhrouvya applies to each substance, particularly focusing on the soul (Jiva) and its modifications.
- Soul (Jiva): The soul has an eternal, unchanging essence (dhrouvya), but it undergoes continuous modifications in its states (paryayas) such as knowledge, perception, bliss, and also emotions like attraction (raag) and aversion (dvesh). These states are constantly produced (utpad) and decay (vyay).
- Pudgala (Matter): Matter also undergoes changes in its forms and combinations, but the fundamental nature of its constituent atoms remains.
Rejection of External Causation (Paradravya Kartrutva):
- A significant emphasis is placed on dispelling the misconception that external substances cause the changes within oneself.
- The principle of Utpad-Vyay-Dhrouvya demonstrates the autonomy (vastuswātantrya) of each substance. The changes within a substance are its own modes, arising from its own nature and its own past states, not from external intervention.
- The belief that "I am acting" or "others are acting upon me" is identified as a root cause of suffering and is refuted by this principle. The soul's experiences of happiness and suffering are due to its own internal modes, not external agents.
The Nature of Knowledge (Gyan):
- The soul's inherent nature is knowledge. Knowledge's function is simply to know (jānna).
- It knows substances and their modes as they are, without altering them. The knowledge of an object does not change the object itself.
- Understanding this purely cognitive nature of the soul leads to detachment and the cessation of suffering.
Path to Liberation (Moksha):
- The correct understanding of Utpad-Vyay-Dhrouvya is presented as the foundation for the path to liberation.
- By realizing the self's true nature as a knower (gyātā) and the universe's substances as knowable objects (gyeya) that are independent and governed by their own inherent laws, one can shed false beliefs and attachments.
- This realization leads to right faith (samyagdarshan), right knowledge (samyagjnan), and right conduct (samyagcharitra), culminating in liberation.
The Role of Gathas 99-101 of Pravachanasara:
- Gatha 99: Establishes the fundamental truth that every substance is "Sat" by virtue of being possessed of Utpad-Vyay-Dhrouvya. It elaborates on the inseparable nature of these three aspects, using analogies to explain how they apply to the substance's temporal flow of modes and spatial extent.
- Gatha 100: Strengthens the understanding of Utpad-Vyay-Dhrouvya by demonstrating their mutual interdependence. It shows the logical fallacies that arise if one tries to consider Utpad, Vyay, or Dhrouvya in isolation.
- Gatha 101: Further clarifies that Utpad, Vyay, and Dhrouvya are characteristics of the modes (paryayas) of a substance, and these modes are ultimately dependent on and inherent to the substance itself. This reinforces the idea that all phenomena are ultimately contained within the substances.
Editorial and Publishing Information:
- The book is a result of the efforts of Pandit Ratanchand Bharilla, who compiled and edited Shri Kanji Swami's discourses.
- It is published by Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust, Jaipur, indicating its scholarly and devotional nature within the Digambar Jain tradition.
- The preface emphasizes the importance of understanding substance and modality for spiritual progress.

In Essence:

"Padartha Vigyan" serves as a profound exposition of the Jain theory of substance and modes, particularly the principle of Utpad-Vyay-Dhrouvya. Through the lectures of Shri Kanji Swami, it aims to illuminate the true, independent nature of reality, thereby dismantling false beliefs about external agency and leading the reader towards self-realization and spiritual freedom. The book advocates for a deep, intellectual and experiential understanding of these principles as the bedrock of the Jain path to liberation.