Re Karm Teri Gati Nyari - Book Summary

This document is a comprehensive summary and explanation of Jain Karmic theory, presented in Hindi, titled "Re Karm Teri Gati Nyari" (O Karma, Your Ways are Unique). Authored by Acharya Shri Gunratnasurishwarji M.S. and translated by Shri Rashmiratnavijayji M.S., the book aims to enlighten readers, particularly the youth, about the intricacies of karma and its impact on life.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and content covered in the provided text:

Core Message and Purpose:

Addressing Modern Crisis: The book is published in response to the perceived decline in moral and spiritual values in society, with a focus on the rising issues of suicide, violence, and characterlessness among youth.
Re-establishing Karmic Principles: The primary goal is to re-establish the understanding and importance of the law of karma, which the author believes is crucial for human well-being and spiritual progress.
Making Complex Concepts Accessible: The book uses a simple, accessible language, aided by illustrations and engaging narratives, to explain the complex philosophical concept of karma.

Key Concepts Explained:

The Nature of Karma: The text emphasizes that karma is the driving force behind life's experiences, both positive and negative. It's presented as a unique and inescapable force.
The Path to Moksha (Liberation): The book highlights the Jain path to liberation, which involves the integration of Knowledge (Gyan), Penance (Tapa), and Self-Control (Sanyam).
- Knowledge: Illuminates the soul about karma and its consequences.
- Penance: Acts as a purifier, cleansing the soul from karmic impurities.
- Self-Control: Prevents the influx of new karmas by controlling the senses and mind.
Karma as Bondage: The analogy of a captive elephant bound by an iron chain is used to illustrate how karma binds the soul, forcing it through the cycle of birth and death (84 lakh life forms).
Eight Types of Karma: The book delves into the eight main categories of karma as per Jain philosophy:
- Ghatikarma (Obscuring/Destructive Karmas):
  - Jnanaavarna (Knowledge-obscuring): Hinders the soul's inherent infinite knowledge. Illustrated with the analogy of clouds obscuring the sun and a blindfold.
  - Darshanaavarna (Perception-obscuring): Hinders the soul's inherent infinite perception. Analogized to a doorkeeper preventing entry.
  - Mohaniya (Delusion-causing): The "King of Karmas," it causes attachment, aversion, anger, pride, deceit, greed, and other passions, obscuring the soul's true nature of equanimity. Analogized to alcohol.
  - Antaraaya (Obstruction): Hinders the soul's inherent infinite power, generosity, and enjoyment. Analogized to a treasurer blocking access to wealth.
- Aghatikarma (Non-obscuring/Non-destructive Karmas):
  - Vedaniya (Feeling-producing): Causes pleasant (shata) and unpleasant (ashata) feelings. Analogized to a sword coated with honey.
  - Aayushya (Lifespan): Determines the duration of life in a particular existence. Analogized to handcuffs.
  - Naam (Name/Body-forming): Determines the physical form, species, senses, and characteristics of the soul's manifestation. Analogized to a painter.
  - Gotra (Status/Lineage): Determines the social status or lineage (high or low). Analogized to a potter.
The Process of Karmic Bonding: The book explains how the soul, through its mental, verbal, and physical activities (yoga), attracts karmic particles (karmavargana) from the universe. This process is likened to a radio transmitting and receiving signals, where mind, speech, and body actions are the "starter," and the soul's inherent predispositions (like delusion) tune it to receive specific karmic "waves."
Subtleties of Jain Atomism (Pudgala): The text briefly touches upon the Jain understanding of atoms (pudgala) and their various aggregations (vargana) that form different types of bodies (audarik, vaikriya, etc.), highlighting its scientific precision.
Detailed Breakdown of Karma Types:
- Jnanaavarna: Explained with its five sub-types (mati, shrut, avadhi, manahparyav, keval) and causes for its binding, such as disrespect for gurus, jealousy of knowledge, destruction of scriptures, and lack of reverence for spiritual resources.
- Darshanaavarna: Discussed with its nine sub-types, including different types of sleep and the causes for its binding, which are similar to those of jnanaavarna.
- Vedaniya: Differentiated into shata (pleasant) and ashata (unpleasant) vedaniya, with detailed examples of how devotional acts, forgiveness, compassion, vows, and respectful conduct lead to shata vedaniya, while their opposites lead to ashata vedaniya.
- Mohaniya: The most detailed section, explaining its 28 sub-types (3 darshan mohaniya and 25 charitra mohaniya, including 16 kashayas and 9 nokashayas). It illustrates the immense power of mohaniya karma with stories, showing how it can mislead even powerful beings and lead to dire consequences.
- Aayushya: Discussed in its four types (naraka, tiryanch, manushya, deva) and the specific causes for binding each, such as excessive attachment to worldly possessions, violence, wrong beliefs, and attachment to senses.
- Naamkarma: Covered extensively with its 103 sub-types, categorized into four groups (Pind Prakriti, Pratyek Prakriti, Tras Dashak, Sthavar Dashak), detailing aspects like birth in different species, body structure, color, taste, smell, touch, and even speech and thought processes.
- Gotrakarma: Explained with its two types (high and low lineage) and the causes for their binding, emphasizing the negative impact of criticism and disregard for spiritual practices on one's lineage.
- Antaraaya Karma: Detailed with its five sub-types (dana, labha, bhog, upbhog, virya) and their binding causes, such as obstructing charity, profiting unjustly, and hindering the use of senses or willpower.
Illustrative Stories and Analogies: Throughout the text, numerous stories and analogies are used to make the concepts relatable and memorable. These include stories of King Sanat Kumar, Jhanjhariya Rishi, various munis, historical figures, and common scenarios, illustrating the direct correlation between actions and their karmic consequences.
The Importance of Right Understanding and Practice: The book stresses that understanding karma is not enough; it requires sincere efforts in spiritual practices, repentance (prayschitt), and adherence to the Jain way of life to mitigate negative karmas and progress towards liberation.
Call to Action: The book concludes with a call for readers to reflect on these teachings, engage in introspection, and strive to purify their souls by understanding and overcoming the influence of karma. It also includes a quiz to test the reader's comprehension.

In essence, "Re Karm Teri Gati Nyari" serves as a spiritual guide, offering a detailed, yet accessible, exposition of Jain karmic philosophy, emphasizing its profound relevance to daily life and ultimate spiritual liberation.