Ratnakarandak Shravakachar - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Ratnakarandak Shravakachar," based on the text you've shared.

Book Title: Ratnakarandak Shravakachar Author: Samantbhadracharya Publisher: Vitrag Vigyan Swadhyay Mandir Trust Ajmer

Overall Summary:

"Ratnakarandak Shravakachar" is a foundational text in Jainism, authored by the revered Acharya Samantabhadracharya. It serves as a guide for lay followers (Shravakas) on how to live a virtuous and spiritually progressive life according to Jain principles. The text meticulously outlines the path of a householder, focusing on the practical application of Jain ethics and philosophy in daily life. It emphasizes the importance of Right Faith (Samyak Darshan), Right Knowledge (Samyak Gyana), and Right Conduct (Samyak Charitra) as the core pillars for spiritual progress and ultimate liberation (Moksha).

The text is structured to guide the Shravaka through various stages of spiritual practice, starting with the foundational principles and progressing to more advanced observances. It aims to illuminate the path of righteous living, enabling individuals to attain spiritual merit, well-being in this life, and ultimately, liberation from the cycle of birth and death.

Key Sections and Themes:

The provided text details the initial chapters of the book, primarily focusing on the First Chapter: Samyak Darshan Adhikar (Chapter on Right Faith). This chapter is foundational to all Jain practice and delves deeply into the nature of true faith, its components, and its importance.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and concepts covered in the initial pages:

Author and Publisher Information: The text begins with standard publication details, acknowledging Acharya Samantabhadracharya and the Vitrag Vigyan Swadhyay Mandir Trust Ajmer. It also highlights the collaborative effort in making this electronic version available and invites error reporting.
Introduction to Jain Dharma and Ratnakarandak Shravakachar: The preface and introductory sections emphasize the liberating and purifying nature of the Digambar Jain religion. It highlights the establishment of the Vitrag Vigyan Swadhyay Mandir Trust and its mission to propagate Jain literature. The text mentions previously published works by the trust, including "Ratnakarandak Sharavakachar" itself, indicating its significance and popularity.
Life and Contributions of Acharya Samantabhadracharya: A significant portion of the introductory material is dedicated to providing a biographical sketch of Acharya Samantabhadracharya. It details his profound scholarship, yogic prowess, asceticism, and deep understanding of Jain philosophy. His mastery of various subjects like logic, grammar, prosody, and rhetoric is highlighted. The text attempts to place him historically, suggesting he lived after Acharya Umashwati and before Acharya Pujyapada, placing him in the 2nd-3rd century CE. His association with important works like "Aptamimamsa" and "Svayambhustotra" is mentioned, along with his intellectual prowess in debating and spreading Jainism during times of prevalent non-Jain philosophies. His ability to engage in profound philosophical debates across India is a testament to his stature.
Life and Contributions of Pandit Sadāsukhdāsji Kasalival: The text also includes a detailed biography of Pandit Sadāsukhdāsji Kasalival, the commentator (Tīkākār) of this edition. His dedication to learning, his adherence to Jain principles, his intellectual contributions, and his role in translating and explaining the text are highlighted. His journey of embracing the Terapanth tradition based on his own conviction is also mentioned. His life exemplifies devotion to Jinavani (Jain scriptures).
The Essence of Dharma: Acharya Samantabhadracharya defines Dharma (Righteousness) as Samyak Darshan (Right Faith), Samyak Gyana (Right Knowledge), and Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct). This is the core of Jain spiritual practice, emphasizing that true religion is not mere outward ritual but the inward purity of faith, knowledge, and conduct.
Primacy of Samyak Darshan: The text strongly emphasizes that Samyak Darshan (Right Faith) is the root of all Dharma. Without it, even practices like knowledge and conduct are considered incomplete or even misleading. It's described as the "helmsman" guiding the soul on the path to liberation. Just as a seed is essential for a plant's existence, Samyak Darshan is essential for the growth and fruitfulness of spiritual practices.
Defining True Devatas, Shastras, and Gurus: A significant portion of the first chapter is dedicated to clarifying who qualifies as a true Devata (God), Shastra (Scripture), and Guru, distinguishing them from their false counterparts.
- True Devata: Identified as the Arhat – the liberated souls who are free from all defects (Kshudha, Trishna, Janma, Jara, Mrityu, Roga, Bhaya, Moha, etc.), possess omniscience (Sarvajna), are free from attachment and aversion (Vitaraaga), and are perfectly benevolent (Param Hitoopadeshi). The text critiques the worship of deities with weapons, those driven by desire or anger, and those who are not free from worldly existence or defects.
- True Shastra: Defined as scripture that is Aptopagna (authored by a true, omniscient, and benevolent authority), Anullanghya (unassailable by logic or scripture), Adushta (free from errors), Viruddha (not contradictory to true knowledge), and Tatva-upadesha-kruta-sarva (revealing the true nature of reality). The text criticizes scriptures that promote violence, attachment, or false beliefs.
- True Guru: Characterized by freedom from desire (vishayaashaavashaateetah), absence of worldly activities (nirārambhō), non-possession (apari-grahaḥ), engagement in knowledge, meditation, and penance (gyāna-dhyāna-taporaktaḥ). They are compassionate, possess perfect knowledge, and are free from all worldly attachments and afflictions. The text warns against false gurus who are driven by worldly desires, possess false knowledge, or encourage harmful practices.
The Eight Angas of Samyak Darshan: The text details the eight essential qualities or virtues that constitute Right Faith:
- Nishankita: Freedom from doubt about the divine, scriptures, and spiritual preceptors.
- Nishankshita: Freedom from desire for worldly enjoyments or the fruits of actions.
- Nirvichikitsa: Freedom from aversion or disgust towards the body or spiritual practices.
- Amoodhadrushti: Freedom from delusion, worshipping false deities, following erroneous paths, or believing in superstitions.
- Upaguhana: Concealing the minor faults of others, especially spiritual preceptors and fellow practitioners, out of compassion and maintaining the dignity of the faith.
- Sthitikaran: Inspiring wavering individuals to remain steadfast in their faith and practices, especially during difficult times.
- Vatsalya: Affection and compassion towards fellow practitioners, the spiritual path, and all living beings.
- Prabhavana: Glorifying and propagating the Jain path through virtuous conduct, knowledge, and exemplary living.
The Eight Madhas (Egotisms) to be Avoided: The text also lists eight types of pride or egotism that obstruct the attainment of true faith: pride in knowledge, in worship/pujā, in lineage/family, in caste, in strength, in spiritual attainments/powers (riddhis), in penance, and in physical appearance.
Critique of False Practices and Beliefs: The text implicitly and explicitly criticizes various superstitious practices and misinterpretations prevalent in society, such as rituals involving animal sacrifice, idol worship of deities with worldly desires and defects, and adherence to scriptures that promote violence or harmful doctrines. It emphasizes that true Jainism is rooted in non-violence, asceticism, and the pursuit of self-knowledge.
The Importance of Character over External Forms: The text subtly points out that external practices like wearing specific clothes or performing rituals without the right inner attitude (faith, knowledge, conduct) are meaningless. True spirituality lies in the inner transformation and adherence to core principles.
The Rarity and Value of Human Birth and Jain Dharma: The text repeatedly stresses the extreme rarity of human birth and the even rarer fortune of encountering Jain teachings. It urges readers not to waste this precious opportunity on mundane pursuits but to focus on spiritual upliftment.

Overall Purpose and Significance:

"Ratnakarandak Shravakachar" is a comprehensive guide for householders seeking to understand and practice Jainism. Acharya Samantabhadracharya, through his profound wisdom and eloquent expression, aims to equip the Shravaka with the correct understanding of Jain principles, particularly the cornerstone of Right Faith (Samyak Darshan). By diligently following the teachings outlined in this text, followers can lead a life of ethical conduct, spiritual discipline, and ultimately progress towards the highest goal of liberation. The text emphasizes that true Jainism is a path of inner purification, righteousness, and non-violence, applicable in the practicalities of daily life.