Parimal

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Parimal" by Acharya Shri Padmasagarsuri, based on the provided pages:

Overall Theme: "Parimal" (Fragrance/Essence) is a collection of discourses and spiritual insights by Acharya Shri Padmasagarsuri, elucidated by his disciples. The text delves into various fundamental concepts of Jainism, aiming to clarify and inspire the reader towards spiritual growth and liberation (moksha). The underlying message emphasizes the importance of true understanding and practice over mere ritual or scriptural knowledge.

Key Concepts and Discussions:

• The Nature of Dharma (Religion/Duty):

  • Dharma is not static but evolves with the soul's progression through different stages of spiritual development (Guna-sthanas).
  • For those in lower stages, dharma is what sustains them in difficult situations. For those in higher stages, it's adherence to vows. At the highest stage, it's the inherent nature of the soul.
  • The text emphasizes that dharma is inseparable from the soul, just as heat is inseparable from fire or coolness from water.
  • The inherent nature of the soul, such as helpfulness and virtuous conduct, is also defined as dharma.
  • Historical examples are cited of individuals sacrificing their lives for dharma, highlighting its supreme importance.

• The Meaning of Moksha (Liberation):

  • Moksha is described as extinguishing the subtle bodies (Taijas and Kamana Sharira) that bind the soul to the cycle of birth and death.
  • It is likened to a lamp running out of oil and being extinguished, where the light (soul) is no longer confined by the lamp (body/karma).
  • This state is characterized by the absence of karma, desires, attachments, and the cessation of rebirth.
  • Lord Mahavir enumerated fifteen types of liberation (Siddha).
  • The text mentions Marudevi's attainment of Kevalgyan and Moksha upon witnessing her son, Bharata.

• The Importance of Understanding Scriptural Essence vs. Literal Words:

  • The text criticizes the tendency to focus on the number of letters or words in scriptures like the Quran, Bible, Bhagavad Gita, or Ramayana.
  • The true value of a scripture lies in the underlying secret (rahasya) of its words and their impact on the soul.
  • Those who get caught in the "web of words" fail to touch the soul.
  • An anecdote illustrates how clinging to literal meanings without understanding the essence can lead to spiritual downfall, as seen in the example of Jamal for not internalizing Lord Mahavir's teachings.
  • The analogy of "word is the body of the soul, and the sentiment within is its soul" is presented.

• Illustrative Anecdotes (The Falling Man):

  • A series of humorous yet insightful anecdotes about a man falling into a well illustrates the failures of different religious perspectives when devoid of true compassion or understanding:
    • Buddhist Monk: Cites karma-destruction as the path to liberation, refusing to help to avoid hindering the man's karma reduction.
    • Politician: Focused on making a speech about building well-walls, using the man's plight as a point, and then leaving.
    • Christian Priest: Misinterpreting service as requiring the man to fall again for more opportunities to serve, and then pushing him back into the well.
  • These stories highlight that mere adherence to doctrine without genuine compassion or the right intention is futile.

• The Essence of "Om Shanti Shanti Shanti":

  • The utterance of "Om Shanti" is powerful, with letters containing immense energy.
  • The text explains the phonetic derivation of "Om" in the context of the Pancha Parameshthi (Arhanta, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Muni), relating it to Sanskrit grammar.
  • Mantras, when chanted with faith, have the power to purify the mind and neutralize negative influences, even poisonous effects.

• The Concepts of Punya (Merit) and Pap (Demerit):

  • Punya: Actions that nourish the soul, leading to the growth of knowledge and virtues, and purifying the soul. It is earned through acts of charity, reverence for the divine, gurus, and Dharma, and compassion for all beings.
  • Pap: Actions that taint the soul with passions, increase worldly entanglement, and lead to misfortune and disrepute. It is acquired through violence and other negative deeds.
  • The text categorizes the experiential outcomes of merit and demerit into four types:
    1. Punya-anubandhi Punya: Actions leading to continued merit (e.g., Anand and Kamdev Shravak).
    2. Papa-anubandhi Punya: Actions that are meritorious but lead to future demerit (e.g., present-day leaders who do good deeds for selfish reasons).
    3. Punya-anubandhi Papa: Actions that are demeritorious but lead to future merit (e.g., Punia Shravak).
    4. Papa-anubandhi Papa: Actions leading to continued demerit (e.g., Kalsarik the butcher).
  • The essence of these is that Punya is for the benefit of others, and Pap is for harming others.
  • Living virtuously, considering Punya as worthy of adoption and Pap as worthy of abandonment, leads to Moksha.

• The Power of Chintan (Contemplation/Meditation):

  • Chintan is described as a divine fire that can burn away all karmas.
  • When the soul reaches the highest stage of pure contemplation (Shukla Dhyana), it transcends worldly actions.
  • The text highlights that the soul itself is the doer, destroyer, and experiencer of its karma.
  • Good contemplation leads the soul towards the divine, while bad contemplation can lead to lower realms.
  • The story of the caterpillar turning into a butterfly through deep contemplation illustrates this power.
  • The importance of overcoming worry and engaging in true contemplation is stressed.

• The Significance of Brahmacharya (Celibacy/Continence):

  • Brahmacharya is presented as essential for spiritual progress.
  • It is stated that Brahmacharya yields great fruits, more so than actions related to temples and idols.
  • The text explains that sexual energy (Veerya) is a potent essence derived from food, and its wastage leads to weakness, fear, and illness.
  • Continence (Urdhvikaran) of this energy elevates the soul, fulfills desires, and makes the impossible possible.
  • Illustrative stories showcase the power of Brahmacharya:
    • A mother sacrificing her life to prevent her child from developing improper संस्कार (imprints) after witnessing her husband's inappropriate act.
    • A devoted servant who used his own bodily essence (sweat) in water, which miraculously healed his employer's wife, demonstrating the potency derived from self-control.
    • The lion's cub's strength and the lioness's milk are attributed to their controlled mating habits.
  • Historical figures like Pathadshah Mantri and Sudarshan Seth are mentioned as exemplars of Brahmacharya.

• The Relationship Between Gyan (Knowledge) and Dharma (Practice/Conduct):

  • Gyan is the light, and Dharma is its movement. Light is necessary for movement, but knowledge alone without practice is crippled.
  • Practice without knowledge is blind.
  • The analogy of the blind man (Dharma) carrying the lame man (Gyan) on his shoulders to cross a forest fire illustrates their interdependence.
  • A story about a monk experiencing hysteria during Pratikraman highlights the danger of performing rituals without proper understanding and intent. The disciples, following blindly, also started foaming at the mouth but without the underlying cause.
  • The text stresses the importance of quality (bhav) over quantity in spiritual practices.
  • Three essential elements for any practice are emphasized: Vidhi (correct procedure), Guru's guidance, and Lakshya Jagruti (awareness of the goal).

• The Meaning of Three Circumambulations (Pradakshina) in a Temple:

  • Pradakshina signifies the three realms (heaven, earth, underworld) ruled by the divine.
  • It represents the adoration of the Ratnatrayi (Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct) to imbibe the divine qualities.
  • It also signifies staying close to the divine, like a child holding onto its mother's sari, ensuring one is never abandoned.

• The Importance of Confessing Sins and Hiding Virtues:

  • The Pratikraman Sutra teaches the confession of sins to the Guru.
  • Hiding sins multiplies their karmic effect, while confessing them reduces it.
  • The text advises confessing sins openly to the Guru like a child shares secrets with its mother.
  • Virtues should be kept hidden, like a mother covering her child from the evil eye during breastfeeding, to prevent karmic defilements.
  • The story of the Bhilla Kumar who, after unknowingly committing incest with his sister, confessed his sin to Lord Mahavir and attained a good destiny, reinforces this point.

• The Depth of Absorption (Tallinata):

  • Deep absorption in spiritual practice is crucial, as exemplified by seekers who dedicated years to self-discovery.
  • The body's efforts are likened to a racehorse, but the true earnings go to the master (soul).
  • The stories of Arvind and Mandan Mishra illustrate extreme dedication and immersion in their respective pursuits, leading to profound insights or forgotten personal lives.
  • Self-realization comes through experience, not just words.
  • The ego ("I know something") corrupts knowledge.
  • The text urges to stop "showing" and start "seeing" (internal observation).

• The Pitfalls of Display (Pradarshan):

  • Actions performed for show or to please others, like the Mullah's prayer and feigned fasting, are futile.
  • Such actions do not reach the divine and yield no true rewards.
  • The Mullah's inability to enjoy the royal feast because his prayer was for show highlights this.

• Success Through Sadhana (Spiritual Practice):

  • The text states that dedicating oneself to spiritual practice leads to fulfillment.
  • Humans desire the fruits of Dharma but not Dharma itself; they embrace sin with love.
  • The practice of Dharma is essential for its fruits, and it begins with the body.
  • Spiritual practice starts with the mouth, breaking the "I" ego to achieve a state of "we" or unity.
  • Humility is essential, as seen in the example of the bucket in a well that must lower itself to be filled.
  • Respect for the Guru and the divine allows spiritual truth to enter one's life.
  • The importance of humility is highlighted by the saying: "Humility leads to greatness; greatness distances from God."

• The Role of the Tongue and Mind in Sadhana:

  • The tongue is like a spoon that reveals the contents of a pot (the inner self). If one finds no taste in spiritual practices, their sadhana is lacking.
  • A clear goal is necessary for any endeavor, just as reaching Mumbai requires knowing the destination. Moksha is the ultimate goal.
  • The story of Arjuna's focused aim on the bird's eye, taught by Dronacharya, illustrates the power of a singular, clear goal in achieving success.

• The Importance of Self-Control (Niyantran):

  • The mind needs to be controlled like a weapon against enemies.
  • Cutting off the supply lines of the five senses and their objects is crucial for spiritual progress, leading to the transformation of the world into a heavenly abode.
  • The path to control involves devotion to truth, self-awareness, and detachment.
  • The mind should be like a mirror, reflecting reality without attachment or collection.
  • Maintaining equanimity and detachment is key; otherwise, accumulation leads to suffering.
  • Speech and food must be controlled for mental stability.

• The Impact of Individual Transformation:

  • When an individual improves, their family, society, and nation also improve, leading to a "Ram Rajya."
  • The purity of atoms in the earth transforms it into a holy land.

• The Significance of Tirtha Yatra (Pilgrimage):

  • Visiting holy places (Tirtha Bhumi) where enlightened beings have resided awakens dormant consciousness and elevates one's thoughts.

• The Power of Sacred Places and Purity:

  • Adi Shankaracharya established monasteries in pure lands.
  • A story about a snake providing shade to a frog illustrates the potent influence of the pure atoms of such lands, making even natural enemies peaceful. This purity stems from the sacred practices of ancient sages.

• The Nature of Anger and True Humility:

  • An anecdote about Shankaracharya's anger upon being touched by an untouchable highlights the ego's impact.
  • The Harijan's response, stating he must bathe because he touched a "maha-chandal" (the anger within Shankaracharya), prompts Shankaracharya to realize his mistake and embrace humility.

• The Path to Self-Realization:

  • To know the soul, contemplation is essential.
  • This leads to the manifestation of Dharma, the burning away of worldly passions, and the soul's fullness.

• The Importance of Silence (Maun):

  • Speech is a treasure, to be shared selectively.
  • Silence is a sadhana that preserves spiritual energy. Excessive talking leads to mental restlessness.
  • Speaking less leads to better thoughts and self-awareness.
  • Speech should be beneficial, measured, and wholesome, with sweetness added.
  • The words of saints come from inner awakening, and their actions match their speech.

• The Superiority of Indian Philosophy (as presented by Swami Vivekananda):

  • The text recounts an interaction where Swami Vivekananda eloquently defended the foundational nature of Indian philosophy (represented by the Bhagavad Gita) against a priest who tried to belittle it. Vivekananda's intellectual prowess and respect for all traditions are highlighted.

In essence, "Parimal" is a guide that encourages readers to move beyond superficial religious practices and delve into the core essence of Jainism. It emphasizes introspection, ethical conduct, self-control, the pursuit of true knowledge, and unwavering faith as the path to spiritual liberation and lasting peace.