Prashamratiprakaran

This document is a critical edition and English translation of the Prasamaratiprakarana, a significant Jain philosophical and ethical text authored by Acharya Umasvati. The L.D. Institute of Indology, Ahmedabad, published this work in 1989 as part of its L.D. Series. The translation and critical editing were done by Yajneshwar S. Shastri.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the text based on the provided pages:

1. Significance of the Work and Author:

• Acharya Umasvati Vacaka is considered a pivotal figure in Jainism, often credited with being the first to present fundamental Jain tenets in Sanskrit, thereby laying a solid foundation for later Jain philosophy.
• He is highly respected by all sects of Jainism, a unique position for a Jain scholar.
• The Prasamaratiprakarana is highlighted as a masterpiece of Jain ethics, philosophy, and religion, written in a lucid Sanskrit poetic form (Arya meter). It is considered more accessible and popular in nature than the Tattvarthadhigamasutra, addressing both monks and laypeople.
• The work is believed to be from the same author as the Tattvarthasutra, evidenced by remarkable similarities in language and thought, with some verses even being identical.

2. Authorship and Date of Umasvati:

• Umasvati's life details (family, caste, date, sect) are not explicitly mentioned in the Prasamaratiprakarana but are derived from the colophon of his Tattvarthasutra commentary.
• He was born in Nyagrodhika village, belonged to the Kaubhiṣanin gotra, and his parents were Svati and Uma.
• The text suggests Umasvati might have been a Brahmin by birth who converted to Jainism, based on his mother's Vatsa gotra and his profound knowledge of Brahmanical schools of thought.
• His date is a subject of scholarly debate, ranging between the 2nd and 5th centuries AD, with evidence suggesting he was a contemporary of Vasubandhu in the 5th century AD.
• The Digambara sect attributes only the Tattvarthasutra to Umasvati, while the Svetambara sect attributes several works, including the Prasamaratiprakarana, to him. The text leans towards the Svetambara view, citing earlier Svetambara texts that recognize Umasvati's authorship of the Prasamaratiprakarana.

3. Content and Structure of Prasamaratiprakarana:

The work is structured into 22 chapters (Adhikāras), covering a wide range of Jain philosophical and ethical principles:

• Introduction (Chapters 1-3): The author pays homage to the Tirthankaras and offers an introduction to his work, emphasizing the difficulty of understanding Jain scriptures for the less learned and expressing his humble attempt to share the path of detachment. He explains that attachment and aversion (Raga-Dvesha) are the root causes of suffering and karmic bondage.
• Causes of Suffering and Bondage (Chapters 4-6): These chapters detail the eight kinds of karmas, their subdivisions, and the role of passions (Kashayas - anger, pride, delusion, greed) and the fivefold inflow of karmas (Asravas). The text vividly illustrates how attachment to sense objects leads to destruction, using analogies of the deer, moth, black bee, fish, and elephant.
• Pride (Chapter 7): This chapter discusses various forms of pride (of caste, family, form, strength, gain, intellect, popularity, learning) and argues that they are sources of suffering and hinder spiritual progress.
• Code of Conduct (Chapters 8-10, 16-18): A significant portion of the work is dedicated to the ethical disciplines for monks and, to a lesser extent, householders.
  • Monastic Conduct: This includes the five great vows (Mahavratas), five samitis (cautious actions), three guptis (restraints of mind, speech, body), endurance of hardships (Parishahajaya), four types of religious stories (Dharmakathas), five types of conduct (Caritras), and ten religious virtues (Dasavidhadharma).
  • Householder Duties: While secondary, the text outlines vows for laypeople, promising heavenly rewards and eventual liberation within eight births.
  • Reflections (Bhāvanās - Chapter 9): Twelve profound reflections are discussed, such as the transience of the world, helplessness, loneliness, impurity, transmigration, karmic inflow, stoppage of inflow, shedding of karmas, and the difficulty of attaining enlightenment.
  • Meditation (Dhyāna - Chapter 18): The text elaborates on the four types of meditation: Arta (sorrowful), Rudra (fierce), Dharma (virtuous), and Shukla (pure). The latter two are crucial for spiritual advancement.
• Spiritual Advancement and Liberation (Chapters 19-22): These chapters describe the gradual ascent through spiritual stages (Guna-sthanas), the destruction of karmas (Ghātiya and Aghātiya), the process of Kevali-samudghata (a special process undertaken by omniscient beings), Yoganirodha (cessation of mental, vocal, and physical activities), and finally, achieving liberation (Siddhahood) as a state of infinite bliss and knowledge.
• Philosophical Principles: While primarily ethical, the work touches upon core Jain philosophical concepts like:
  • Tattvas (Fundamental Principles): Soul (Jiva), non-soul (Ajiva), merit (Punya), demerit (Papa), inflow of karma (Asrava), stoppage of karma (Samvara), shedding of karma (Nirjara), bondage (Bandha), and liberation (Moksha).
  • Substances (Dravyas): The six eternal substances (Jiva, Ajiva, Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Kala) and their characteristics.
  • Syadvada (Theory of Non-Absolutism): The relativistic approach to truth, often expressed through the sevenfold judgment (Saptabhanginaya).
  • Classification of Knowledge: Immediate (Avadhi, Manahparyaya, Kevala) and mediate (Mati, Sruta) knowledge.
  • Doctrine of Karma: Detailed explanation of karma as subtle matter binding the soul, its types, subdivisions, and how it is overcome through ethical practices.
  • Cosmology: The structure of the universe.

4. Commentaries:

• The published edition includes commentaries by Haribhadrasuri (12th century AD) and an unknown author.
• The editor, Yajneshwar S. Shastri, also identified a newly found brief commentary by Jasasomagaṇi.

5. Critical Remarks and Style:

• The work is praised for its lucid and poetic expression, breathing life into dry philosophical discussions.
• Umasvati's style is described as simple, sincere, and appealing, making complex doctrines accessible.
• The book serves as a compendium of Jainism, offering a practical and scientific path to self-realization.
• The title "Prasamaratiprakarana" itself signifies the core theme of detachment (Vairagya) and achieving spiritual calmness.
• The editor notes that while there's remarkable similarity with the Tattvarthasutra, the Prasamaratiprakarana offers certain improvements and elaborations for a broader audience, such as including Papa and Punya as separate Tattvas and detailing processes like Kevalisamudghata and Yoganirodha.

In essence, the Prasamaratiprakarana is a profound and accessible guide to the Jain path of liberation, emphasizing detachment, ethical conduct, and philosophical understanding as interconnected means to achieve spiritual peace and ultimate freedom.