Punya Tattvanu Swarup - Book Summary

This comprehensive summary of "Punya Tattvanu Swarup" by Muni Narvahanvijayji, based on the provided text, delves into the Jain understanding of merit (Punya) and demerit (Paap).

The core concept presented is that Punya and Paap arise from the karmas that the soul binds. The attraction of karmic particles (karmavargana) leads to the creation of either auspicious (Punya) or inauspicious (Paap) states of karma.

The text elaborates on a four-fold classification of karma:

Punya-anubandhi Punya: Merit that leads to further merit.
Punya-anubandhi Paap: Merit that ultimately leads to demerit.
Paap-anubandhi Punya: Demerit that ultimately leads to merit.
Paap-anubandhi Paap: Demerit that leads to further demerit.

The author emphasizes that both Punya and Paap are ultimately to be relinquished, as the presence of Punya itself prevents the soul from attaining liberation (Moksha). However, Punya-anubandhi Punya is considered partially beneficial (anshik upadeya) because it helps in the generation of spiritual qualities and detachment from worldly pleasures, even though it is ultimately likened to golden chains that must be broken.

What is Punya? Punya is defined as that which strengthens the soul. Actions that purify the soul from inauspicious karmas, leading it towards auspiciousness and eventually Moksha, are considered Punya. The text states that the soul, due to eternal lack of restraint, is often inclined towards Paap.

A key principle for generating Punya is empathy and ethical conduct:

Do not do to others what you dislike done to you. This applies to thoughts, speech, and actions.
When facing unpleasant behavior, cultivate thoughts that foster friendship (Maitri Bhav). Even in dire circumstances like hell, maintaining Maitri Bhav leads to the shedding of inauspicious karmas and the binding of auspicious ones. Conversely, harboring hatred (Dvesha) can transform bound Punya into Paap.

What is Paap? Paap is generated when the thoughts, speech, or actions of others cause distress, displeasure, or hatred within us.

Sustaining Punya (Punya-anubandhi Punya): The text stresses that while it's easy to generate Punya, sustaining it is difficult. This is because the material gains from Punya often lead to attachment (Raag) and the creation of new Paap. The lack of understanding of how to enjoy the results of Punya without attachment and the tendency towards possessiveness ("mine-ness") contribute to the binding of Paap.

To convert Paap-anubandhi Punya into Punya-anubandhi Punya, one needs to:

Be devoid of selfishness and practice tolerance.
Maintain detachment from worldly possessions.

The Importance of Right Intention and Dispassion: The text repeatedly highlights that the intention behind actions is crucial. Even auspicious actions performed with selfish motives (e.g., worshipping for worldly benefits, health, or prosperity) lead to Paap-anubandhi Punya. True Punya, especially Punya-anubandhi Punya, arises from selfless actions, good thoughts, pure speech, and righteous conduct.

Key Virtues for Binding Punya-anubandhi Punya:

Selflessness (Nihswarth Bhav): Acting without expecting personal gain.
Simplicity/Genuineness (Saral Swabhav): Being straightforward and sincere in intentions and actions.
Patience and Tolerance (Sahan Shakt): The ability to endure hardships without resentment.
Compassion (Karuna): Feeling distress at the suffering of others.
Joy in the happiness of others (Parano Sukhe Sukhi): Finding pleasure in the well-being of others.
Vairagya (Dispassion): Developing detachment from worldly pleasures and pain.
Right Knowledge (Samyak Darshan/Samyak Gyan): Understanding the true nature of reality.

The Role of Thoughts, Speech, and Actions: The text emphasizes that thoughts, speech, and actions are the basis for binding Punya or Paap. Even the suffering endured by beings from one-sensed to five-sensed creates Punya, but Punya-anubandhi Punya is born from understanding and consciously practicing tolerance, selfless thoughts, speech, and actions.

The Danger of Selfishness: Even devotional practices performed with selfish intentions (e.g., seeking worldly happiness in the afterlife, gaining favor) result in Paap-anubandhi Punya. The desire to protect or increase worldly possessions through religious acts is also considered selfish.

The Importance of Right Attitude:

Focus on the Soul, not the body: The text urges readers to become worshippers of the soul and not the body. Thoughts concerning the body's well-being lead to Paap-anubandhi results, while thoughts concerning the soul's true nature lead to Punya-anubandhi results.
Detachment from Outcomes: Praying to the divine should not be driven by the expectation of specific outcomes (like Moksha), but by unwavering faith. Seeking any material or spiritual gain is considered selfishness. The request should be for stability of thoughts, actions, and conduct that lead to self-welfare.

The Nature of Karma and Liberation:

Action vs. Intention: Mere actions (Kriya) bind karma, but they don't necessarily lead to the shedding of karma (Nirjara). It is the intention and accompanying thoughts (Parinam) that determine the nature of karma binding and shedding.
Purposeful Action (Sakama Nirjara): Actions performed with conscious intent and understanding lead to Sakama Nirjara, which aids in spiritual progress. Aimless or unconscious actions (Samucchima Kriya) result in Akama Nirjara, which has lesser spiritual value.
The Path of Jainism: Jainism is presented as the sole path that provides complete guidance for the soul's upliftment, emphasizing dispassion born of knowledge, not suffering.

The Power of Righteous Understanding:

The text uses examples like King Bharat and Abhaykumar to illustrate how individuals bind Punya-anubandhi Punya during their times of Punya's influence.
The importance of understanding the transitory nature of worldly pleasures and possessions is highlighted.
The concept of Jati-smaran Gyan (recollection of past lives) is mentioned as a means to gain spiritual understanding.
True happiness, the text argues, is not found in worldly possessions but in the self-realization of the soul's inherent bliss.

The Goal of Relinquishment: Ultimately, the goal is to relinquish attachment to all worldly pleasures and sufferings. The text encourages constant introspection to understand the source of suffering and to cultivate the virtues that lead to spiritual growth.

In essence, "Punya Tattvanu Swarup" is a profound discourse on the intricacies of karma in Jainism, emphasizing the critical role of intention, dispassion, and ethical conduct in navigating the path towards spiritual liberation. It provides practical guidance on how to cultivate merit that leads to continued spiritual progress rather than temporary worldly gains.