Papni Saja Bhare Part 20 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Papni Saja Bhare Part 20" by Arunvijaymuni:

Title: Papni Saja Bhare Part 20 (The Punishment for Sins is Heavy) Author: Arunvijaymuni Publisher: Dharmanath Po He Jainnagar Swe Mu Jain Sangh

Overall Theme: This book, a part of a larger series, delves deeply into the Jain concept of karma and its consequences. It emphasizes that every action, whether virtuous (punya) or sinful (paap), leads to corresponding results and punishments. The core message is that the cycle of birth, death, and suffering is driven by karma, and understanding the nature of these actions and their repercussions is crucial for spiritual liberation.

Key Concepts and Content:

The Nature of Paths: The book begins by explaining that there are two primary paths in life: the path of virtue (kalyan) leading to liberation (moksha) and the path of sin (paap) leading to suffering and lower realms. The path to moksha is described as straightforward, involving 14 stages (Gunsthanak), while the path of sin is portrayed as tortuous, leading to hellish realms with immense suffering or a cyclical, confusing journey through the cycle of rebirth.
The Disproportionate Punishment for Sins: A central argument is the vast disparity between the short duration of committing a sin and the extremely long period of suffering in consequence. Examples are given of how a few minutes of wrongdoing can lead to years or even lifetimes of punishment. Judges in legal systems, the text notes, consider the nature, method, perpetrator, and impact of the sin, not just the time taken to commit it.
The Importance of Foresight and Wisdom: The book stresses the need for foresight, like driving with headlights that illuminate the path ahead. Individuals should consider the future consequences of their present actions. The happiness experienced during the commission of a sin is fleeting, while the suffering that follows can be immense and long-lasting.
Illustrative Examples from Jain Tradition: A significant portion of the book provides numerous examples from Jain scriptures and history to illustrate the concept of karma and its consequences. These stories highlight how even enlightened souls or virtuous individuals in past lives faced severe repercussions for even minor transgressions. Some notable examples include:
- Lord Rishabhdev: His 400-day period of not receiving food after taking diksha was a consequence of a past life's advice to tie a shackle on a bull's mouth.
- Lord Mahavir Swami (as Marichi): His birth in low-caste families was due to the karma of boasting and bonding with low karma.
- King Shrenik: His punishment in hell for killing a pregnant deer and two lives.
- Karnik Raja: Imprisoning and whipping his father led to his descent into hell.
- Brahmadatta Chakravarti: Cruel acts like plucking out the eyes of Brahmins resulted in a hellish rebirth.
- Other examples: The text details the karmic consequences for actions like cutting a parrot's wing, falsely accusing a sage, coveting an object, mental attachment, killing for revenge, and deceiving others.
The Role of Karma and Rejection of a Creator God: The book strongly argues against the concept of an external God who forgives sins or dispenses punishment. Instead, it emphasizes the self-operative nature of karma (karma-satta). Karma is not an anthropomorphic being but a natural law of cause and effect. The suffering arises from one's own actions, not from divine intervention or forgiveness. The text criticizes the belief that prayer or repentance can absolve one of karmic consequences, as this would lead to a breakdown of moral order.
The Mechanics of Karma (Karma Bandha): The book explains that karma is formed by the soul's attachment to actions (vivek, kashay, yog, leshya, dhyan). It describes how jiva (soul) attracts karmic particles (pudgal) from the environment based on its tendencies (raag-dvesh) and binds them to itself. The intensity and nature of these emotions and actions determine the type and duration of the karma.
The 82 Types of Sinful Karma: The text elaborates on the 18 types of sinful "Paap-sthanak" (sinful actions) and how they lead to the bondage of specific types of karma. It details the 8 karmas in Jainism (4 Ghati and 4 Aghati) and specifically highlights the 82 varieties of sinful karmic manifestations that cause suffering. This includes afflictions related to knowledge-obscuring karma, perception-obscuring karma, obstruction karma, delusion karma, lifespan karma, status karma, and experience karma.
Specific Sins and Their Consequences: The book meticulously links specific sinful actions (like violence, lying, stealing, lust, greed, anger, pride, deceit, ego, etc.) to the types of suffering and rebirths they entail. It describes the grim realities of hellish realms (Narak), the animal kingdom (Tiryan-gati), and even the unfortunate circumstances that can befall humans due to past karma.
The Suffering in Different Realms:
- Hell (Narak): The text provides a detailed account of the seven hellish realms, their dimensions, the lifespan of beings there, the types of bodies they possess, and the excruciating punishments inflicted by "Paramdhamis" (demonic beings who act as enforcers of karma). The suffering is depicted as immense and unimaginably painful, far exceeding any human comprehension.
- Animal Kingdom (Tiryan-gati): This section describes the suffering of souls reborn as plants (Ekendriya), insects, birds, and animals, highlighting their limited senses, constant struggle for survival, and the pain of being preyed upon. Even seemingly simple life forms like micro-organisms in roots or aquatic creatures endure immense suffering.
- Human Realm (Manushya-gati): Even in the human realm, past sins can lead to births in unfavorable circumstances – poverty, disease, deformed bodies, social stigma, and engagement in lowly professions.
- Divine Realms (Dev-gati): While heavenly realms offer temporary pleasure, even devas (gods) can experience suffering and are not exempt from the law of karma. They may be relegated to lesser roles or face a decline in their status.
The Importance of Repentance and Dharma: The book emphasizes that while the consequences of past karma are inevitable, future suffering can be mitigated through genuine repentance (prayaschit), virtuous conduct (dharma), asceticism (tapas), and avoiding further sinful actions. It highlights that the human birth, with its capacity for understanding and practice of dharma, is a precious opportunity to break free from the cycle of suffering.
The Power of the Navkar Mantra: The text points to the Navkar Mantra as a potent tool for destroying sins and progressing spiritually, with the phrase "Savva pavap panaasanay" (destroyer of all sins) being particularly significant.

Conclusion: "Papni Saja Bhare Part 20" serves as a stark warning about the gravity of sins and the inescapable nature of karmic consequences within the Jain framework. It encourages readers to cultivate wisdom, foresight, and righteous conduct to avoid future suffering and progress towards spiritual liberation. The detailed examples and explanations aim to instill a deep understanding and aversion to sinful activities, promoting a life of virtue and spiritual discipline.