Sadhna Aur Samyagdarshan - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Sadhna aur Samyagdarshan" by Ajitmuni, focusing on the core concepts discussed:

Sadhna aur Samyagdarshan: A Path to Ultimate Liberation

This text, "Sadhna aur Samyagdarshan" (Practice and Right Faith), by Muni Ajitmuni, explores the fundamental principles of spiritual practice (Sadhna) and Right Faith (Samyagdarshan) as the ultimate goals for a soul striving for liberation.

Understanding Sadhna (Spiritual Practice):

The text defines "Sadhna" as the effort and endeavor undertaken to achieve a goal. While all worldly beings are engaged in activities for various goals, these are considered mere "destiny" if they are for fleeting, temporary pleasures. True Sadhna, according to the author, is characterized by its ultimate, supreme, and singular aim: to transcend the limitations of the self, to grow from the minuscule to the magnificent, from the limited to the infinite, and ultimately, to break free from all bonds. This pursuit of ultimate liberation is the inherent aspiration of every soul.

The Rightful Claimant of the Ultimate Goal:

The text posits that the soul (Atma) is the sole entity capable of achieving this ultimate goal. It emphasizes that despite our current physical existence, where we are intertwined with the body, senses, and mind, it is the soul that is the true essence. The body is transient and ceases to have significance once the soul departs. Therefore, the soul, as the paramount element of the universe, is the key to realizing the supreme objective.

The Enigma of Unfulfilled Aspirations:

A central question addressed is why, despite the soul's capacity, the ultimate goal has not yet been achieved. The author attributes this to the soul's entanglement with vices and fluctuations such as desire, anger, attachment, and delusion, which have been present since time immemorial. The soul, mesmerized by worldly illusions, has repeatedly risen and fallen in the ocean of existence, often glimpsing the shore but then sinking back. The text highlights that attempts to break free have been unsuccessful due to a fundamental error: dependency on external factors (paramukhāpekshitā). Souls have prioritized external objects, pleasure, and pain, becoming attached to the pleasant and averse to the unpleasant, thereby neglecting their true self. The mistaken belief of being the body, senses, or mind has perpetuated this cycle.

The Seed of Sadhna: Samyagdarshan (Right Faith):

The text identifies Samyagdarshan as the crucial seed of Sadhna. It is the foundational element that, when nurtured, leads to the manifestation of other virtues like Right Knowledge (Samyagjnana), Right Conduct (Samyakcharitra), non-violence (Ahimsa), self-control (Sanyam), austerity (Tap), and renunciation (Tyaga). While these virtues have different names and forms, their underlying essence and purpose are unified, stemming from Samyagdarshan. The author stresses that without Samyagdarshan, true spiritual knowledge and conduct cannot exist. It is the indispensable root; without it, other practices lose their meaning and efficacy. Therefore, Samyagdarshan is considered the most potent means for achieving the ultimate goal.

The Cause of Our Predicament: External Dependency:

The underlying reason for the soul's continued struggle is its reliance on external entities. Instead of focusing on the "I am the soul," souls have placed importance on external objects. The joy derived from pleasant encounters and the despair from unpleasant ones stem from this external dependency. Attachment and aversion are born from this perspective, leading to a lack of self-reliance. The prevailing thought patterns like "I am the body," "I am the mind," "I am happy/sad," and "I am bound and cannot be free" have created strong ego and possessiveness, preventing liberation.

The Potential for Transformation:

Despite this seemingly bleak picture, the text offers hope. It asserts that the current state is not unchangeable. The inherent nature of the soul is evolution and transformation. By delving into the depths of life, one can realize that the same mental space that harbors the seeds of downfall also contains the seeds of upliftment. Just as the earth can produce both poisonous plants and life-sustaining grains, the soul possesses the potential for both degradation and elevation. When a pure mind awakens, the inner self illuminates, instilling faith in one's own omnipotence and eternal nature. The realization "I am the soul, I am consciousness, not inert matter; birth and death are not mine but the body's" brings about a profound shift.

Defining Samyagdarshan:

Samyagdarshan is a compound of "Samyak" (good, excellent, true) and "Darshan" (seeing, belief, faith). It signifies true faith in fundamental truths. However, the crucial question arises: "In what should we have faith?" The answer lies in the profound statement: "Tatvartha Shradhanam Samyagdarshanam" (Faith in the true nature of reality is Samyagdarshan). The text further clarifies that the fundamental truth, the "tatvabhuta padartha," is the soul itself. While we may have faith in countless external objects, it is the unwavering faith and realization of the soul's existence that constitutes Samyagdarshan. This faith in the soul is paramount because it is the basis for believing in the existence of the supreme being (Paramatma), the efficacy of karma, and the possibility of liberation.

The Origin of Samyagdarshan:

Samyagdarshan, being an inherent quality of the soul, is eternal and has no external origin. Its "acquisition" or "manifestation" means unveiling its already present nature. This manifestation occurs in two ways:

Nisargaj (Natural): Arises from one's own internal efforts and inherent strength, requiring no external influence.
Adhigamaj (Acquired): Arises with the help of external guidance or teachings, though self-awareness remains the core.

Both types lead to the same level of spiritual purification, but the distinction lies in the reliance on external factors during their genesis.

Indicators of Samyagdarshan:

While the soul is formless and Samyagdarshan is its intrinsic quality, its presence can be recognized through five specific attributes:

Prasham (Tranquility): The natural quieting of passions and emotions.
Samveg (Enthusiasm/Urgency): A deep longing to escape worldly suffering and move towards one's true nature.
Nirved (Detachment): Renouncing worldly attachments and desires, turning towards the soul.
Anukampa (Compassion): Feeling empathy for the suffering of all beings and striving to alleviate it.
Astikya (Self-belief/Faith): A firm conviction in one's own existence ("I am").

The presence of these qualities, especially Astikya, makes one resilient to worldly temptations and adversities.

The Indispensable Link Between Samyagdarshan and Sadhna:

The text establishes a profound connection between Samyagdarshan and Sadhna. Sadhna aims for the soul's evolution from limited to unlimited, from embodied to formless, and from bondage to freedom – all of which are achieved through Samyagdarshan. Upon attaining Samyagdarshan, sorrow ceases to exist, transforming into happiness. The seed of suffering, if it falls, cannot sprout. It is the gateway to liberation and the foundation for all souls who have achieved it in the past and will achieve it in the future. Samyagdarshan acts as a powerful remedy, shielding the soul from worldly influences and ensuring ultimate freedom. It is described as a light that illuminates both the inner and outer being, bringing about complete fulfillment.

The Call to Sadhna:

The text concludes with a fervent call to action, urging individuals to shed the "sleep of delusion" and embrace their true nature. It emphasizes the importance of self-realization and steadfastness in one's true self, free from all impurities, vices, and mental distractions. The call is to awaken, be alert, and strive towards self-discovery. It is a reminder that while happiness and sorrow are part of life, one must never lose sight of their true self. A moment of negligence can lead to immense suffering, undoing past efforts. The focus must be on purifying the present moment to prevent future cycles of birth and death.

Conclusion:

Ultimately, "Sadhna aur Samyagdarshan" conveys a unified message: Samyagdarshan and Sadhna are intrinsically linked and, in essence, synonymous. Both aim to guide the soul from darkness to light, from ignorance to enlightenment, and from bondage to liberation. While Samyagdarshan acts as the guiding principle and the means, Sadhna is the active force that brings the objective to fruition. The union of these two elements leads to an eternal state of equanimity and immersion in the practice of spiritual harmony.