Prasamrati Prakarana

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Prasamrati Prakarana" by Vācaka Śrīmad Umāsvāti, based on the provided English translation and appendixes:

Title: Prasamrati Prakarana (Treatise on the Joys of Peace of the Soul) Author: Vācaka Śrīmad Umāsvāti (also known as Umaswati or Umaswami) Translator: Mahesh Bhogilal Editor: V.M. Kulkarni Publisher: Mrs. Nita M. Bhogilal, Mrs. Vimalaben S. Lalbhai, Mrs. Diniben N. Shodhan (Ahmedabad, 1989)

About the Work:

• Core Theme: The book is a religious and philosophical treatise focused on achieving "Joys of Peace of the Soul," essentially leading to inner happiness and liberation (Moksha) in Jainism.
• Scope: It covers various essential aspects of Jain philosophy and practice, including:
  • Duties of householders and monks.
  • The 12 Bhāvanās (contemplations).
  • The 14 Guṇasthānas (stages of spiritual development).
  • The Six Substances (dravyas).
  • The Nine Concepts of Reality (Nava-Tattvas).
  • Saptabhangi (the seven-fold prediction/logic).
  • The path to Moksha.
• Literary Merit: It is recognized as a work with both religious-philosophical depth and literary quality.
• Author's Authority: Umāsvāti is a highly respected Jain Acharya, whose Tattvärthadhigama-Sutra is considered authoritative by both Svetambara and Digambara Jain traditions.

Translator's Perspective (Mahesh Bhogilal):

• Mahesh Bhogilal was a highly intelligent individual who, despite academic and worldly success, sought inner peace. He was deeply religious, fascinated by the monastic life, and not bound by strict sectarian views, embracing the principle of accepting truth from wherever it comes.
• He felt a profound connection to the Prasamrati Prakarana and translated it into English to make its profound philosophy accessible to a wider audience, particularly those who might not have knowledge of Sanskrit or Gujarati.
• He acknowledged his limitations in Sanskrit scholarship but emphasized his deep interest and the benefit of clarification from learned Jain Sadhus.
• He stressed the importance of Svādhyāya (repeated study) and how the practice of reciting verses, even with distractions, can purify the soul and gradually lead to understanding the meaning and impact of the teachings, likening it to the process of removing karmic dust.
• He also highlighted that true knowledge comes from experience and following the rigorous paths laid down by spiritual masters.

Key Concepts and Themes Explored in the Text (Based on Chapter Titles and Verse Summaries):

1. Holy Invocation and Introduction (Verses 1-19): The text begins with salutations to the Jinas, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyayas, and Sadhus, and an introduction to the author's humble attempt to explain the path to non-attachment and peace, drawing from the teachings of the omniscient Jinas. It emphasizes the difficulty of the Jain path for those with limited knowledge and the importance of repeated study.
2. The Great Passions (Kashayas) (Verses 20-34): This section delves into the nature of the four primary passions: Anger (Krodha), Pride (Māna), Deceit (Māyā), and Greed (Lobha). It details how these passions, stemming from wrong faith (Mithyātva), lack of restraint (Avirati), negligence (Pramāda), and activity (Yoga), lead to the bondage of eight types of Karma. The verses illustrate the detrimental effects of each passion on affection, humility, trust, and virtues, and the vicious cycle they create.
3. The Path to Moksha and the Nature of Karma (Verses 35-56): The text explains the eight types of karma and their numerous subdivisions, how karma binds the soul through Sthiti (duration), Anubhaga (potency), and Pradesha (quantity), influenced by Leśyās (mental disposition/color). It describes how the fruition of karma leads to birth in different realms and the cycle of suffering. The unruliness of the senses and their objects is highlighted as a major cause of this suffering, leading to continuous attachment and aversion.
4. The Cycle of Birth and Death (Samsara) and its Cessation (Verses 57-65): Samsara is depicted as a result of karma and the root cause of suffering. The text emphasizes that with diligence, firmness in non-attachment, and dedicated effort in the practice of right faith, conduct, penance, study, and meditation, one can break free from this cycle. It stresses the rarity and preciousness of human birth and the need to utilize life for spiritual progress without delay.
5. The Importance of Humility (Vinaya) and the Guru (Verses 66-74): Humility is presented as the foundation for all virtues and the key to acquiring scriptural knowledge. The text emphasizes the indispensable role of a Guru and the importance of serving and respecting them. It outlines the causal chain where humility leads to service, service to knowledge, knowledge to detachment, detachment to cessation of karma inflow (Samvara), Samvara to penance (Tapas), penance to shedding of karma (Nirjara), Nirjara to cessation of activities (Yoga Nirodha), and ultimately to Moksha.
6. The Dangers of Pride (Mada) and Worldly Attachments (Verses 75-105): The text strongly warns against pride arising from birth, beauty, strength, knowledge, wealth, or status. It illustrates with stories how such pride leads to downfall and suffering. It emphasizes that worldly pleasures are fleeting and ultimately lead to pain and that true happiness lies in detachment. The impurity of the physical body and the impermanence of all worldly relationships and possessions are also highlighted.
7. Controlling the Senses and the Importance of Right Conduct (Verses 106-118): Sense objects are described as attractive initially but ultimately leading to suffering. The text stresses the need to understand the transient and painful nature of worldly pleasures and to strive for the inner peace that comes from self-control and detachment. It details the five aspects of right conduct (Samyaktva, Jñana, Charitra, Tapas, Virya) and the extensive rules outlined in the Acārānga Sutra for monks.
8. The Twelve Contemplations (Bhāvanās) (Verses 119-165): The text enumerates and explains the twelve pure contemplations essential for spiritual progress. These include meditating on the impermanence of everything, the absence of refuge in the world, the solitude of the soul, the impurity of the body, the transmigration of the soul, the causes of karma inflow (Asrava), the stoppage of inflow (Samvara), the destruction of karma (Nirjara), the nature of the cosmos, the truth of the Jina's teachings, the rarity of attaining right knowledge and conduct, and the difficulty of maintaining detachment and overcoming passions.
9. The Ten-Fold Dharma and Virtues (Verses 166-178): The text outlines the ten key virtues of the Jain path: forgiveness, humility, straightforwardness, purity, self-control, renunciation, truthfulness, penance, chastity, and non-possession. It highlights compassion as the root of Dharma and how forgiveness is essential for it. Purity of mind (Bhava-shuddhi) is emphasized as more important than external cleanliness.
10. The Path of a Monk (Sadhu) and the Ideal State (Verses 179-269): The text elaborates on the path of a monk (Sadhu) who renounces worldly attachments and dedicates themselves to spiritual practice. It describes the destruction of passions, the attainment of omniscience (Kevala Jñana), and the final liberation (Moksha) through the destruction of karmas. It details the stages of spiritual development (Gun Sthānas) and the intense practices required to reach the highest state.
11. The Householder's Path (Verses 302-308): For those who cannot become monks, the text outlines the duties and practices of a householder who aspires for spiritual progress. This includes adherence to vows, ethical conduct, devotion to Tirthankaras, penance, meditation, and charity. Such a householder can attain heavenly states and eventually reach liberation.
12. Final Blessings and Conclusion (Verses 309-313): The text concludes by summarizing that the path of the Jina's religion is the source of all happiness and leads to Moksha. The author humbly requests readers to overlook any flaws in the work and to focus on the essence of the teachings, which is the pursuit of peace and tranquility.

Key Jain Concepts Elaborated:

• Tattvas (Concepts of Reality): Jiva (soul), Ajiva (non-soul), Punya (merit), Papa (demerit), Asrava (inflow of karma), Samvara (stoppage of karma inflow), Nirjara (shedding of karma), Bandha (bondage of karma), Moksha (liberation).
• Karma Theory: The detailed explanation of the eight types of karma, their bondage, fruition, and destruction, which is central to the Jain understanding of the soul's journey.
• Leśyā: The mental disposition or "color" of the soul that influences karma.
• Samyak Darśana, Jñana, Charitra: Right Faith, Right Knowledge, and Right Conduct, the three jewels that form the path to liberation.
• Dharma: Righteousness, the path of Jainism, encompassing virtues like non-violence, truth, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possession.
• Samsara: The cycle of birth, death, and rebirth driven by karma.
• Moksha: The ultimate state of liberation, characterized by infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy.

Overall Significance:

Prasamrati Prakarana serves as a guide to understanding the core principles of Jainism, emphasizing the path to inner peace and ultimate liberation through ethical conduct, self-discipline, spiritual contemplation, and detachment from worldly pleasures. The translation makes these profound teachings accessible to a wider audience, underscoring the universal appeal of its message of soul purification and eternal happiness.