Sajjan Chittavallabh Satik

This document is a Jain text titled "Sajjan Chittavallabh Satik" (श्री सजन चित्तवल्लभसटीक), authored by Nathuram Munshi and published by Nathuram Munshi. The catalog link provided is for Jain University (jainqq.org). The text includes a preface, the main poem, and a commentary in Hindi.

Here's a summary of the content:

Title: Sajjan Chittavallabh Satik (Meaning: Companion of the Virtuous Mind) Author: Nathuram Munshi Publisher: Nathuram Munshi Language: Hindi (with Sanskrit verses) Genre: Jain religious and ethical text.

Preface (Page #2): The preface explains the purpose of this publication. It states that an earlier version of "Sajjan Chittavallabh" was published by Munshi Aman Singh Ji. That version contained the original Sanskrit text, followed by Sanskrit word-breakdown, Sanskrit grammatical analysis (anvaya), a Sanskrit commentary (tika), and finally a Hindi verse translation and commentary. However, the publisher notes a decline in Sanskrit knowledge among Jain brothers, making such extensive Sanskrit versions inaccessible to many. Therefore, this edition is published with a simplified Hindi commentary to benefit a wider audience and promote religious understanding. The publisher, Munshi Nathuram, expresses his desire for the welfare of all Jain brothers.

Content of the Poem and Commentary:

The text consists of verses (shlokas) written in a Jain philosophical and ethical context, followed by a detailed Hindi commentary explaining each verse. The primary theme is the guidance and upliftment of the mind towards virtuous living, emphasizing detachment, self-control, and adherence to Jain principles.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and advice presented in the verses:

• Verse 1 (Page #3):

  • Theme: Invocation of Lord Mahavir and the purpose of the text.
  • Summary: The author begins by bowing to Lord Mahavir, the conqueror of the three worlds, the beloved of liberation, and the destroyer of worldly sorrows caused by the five arrows of Kama (desire). He then introduces the work "Sajjan Chittavallabh," meaning it is dear to the virtuous, and invites the virtuous to listen.

• Verse 2 (Page #4-5):

  • Theme: The importance of righteous conduct (Charitra) for a muni (ascetic).
  • Summary: The verse uses several analogies to illustrate that a muni without righteous conduct is like a night without the moon, a pond without lotuses, a gathering without learned people, an elephant without tusks, or a flower without fragrance. Even extensive scriptural knowledge is meaningless without virtuous conduct.

• Verse 3 (Page #5-6):

  • Theme: True renunciation is internal, not just external.
  • Summary: It questions whether mere renunciation of clothes (nudity) makes one a muni or a snake become poisonless by shedding its skin. True asceticism stems from overcoming sensual desires, speaking truth, maintaining good conduct, and abandoning internal attachments (greed for wealth, possessions, etc.). Without this internal renunciation, outward monkhood is mere show.

• Verse 4 (Page #6-7):

  • Theme: The characteristics of a virtuous monk (Sadhu).
  • Summary: The text lists the qualities of a true monk that lead to the destruction of worldly cycles: detachment from the body, humility and respect towards elders and learned individuals, daily study of scriptures, pure conduct, appeasement of anger, pride, greed, and delusion, fear of the cycle of birth and death, and renunciation of both internal and external possessions.

• Verse 5 (Page #7-8):

  • Theme: Renunciation of wealth and attachment to women.
  • Summary: It criticizes monks who still desire wealth, asking what is the point of renunciation if internal desires remain. It equates the desire for wealth with the desire for women, suggesting that a monk's celibacy is compromised by such worldly pursuits.

• Verse 6 (Page #8-9):

  • Theme: Living a detached and devoted life.
  • Summary: This verse advises monks to live in places free from women, eunuchs, and animals. They should accept whatever simple food they receive from householders, perform their daily religious duties (Aavashyak), remain devoted to the path of Dharma, and associate with those who possess the three jewels (right faith, right knowledge, right conduct).

• Verse 7 (Page #9-11):

  • Theme: The repulsive nature of the physical body and its impurities.
  • Summary: The verse describes the body as emitting foul odors, being covered in dirt, and unwashed. It contrasts this with the attractiveness of those who maintain cleanliness and wear perfumes, emphasizing that such a body, even if adorned, will eventually decay. It warns against indulging in sensual pleasures and destroying chastity.

• Verse 8 (Page #11-12):

  • Theme: The disgusting composition of the human body.
  • Summary: This verse details the body's origin from bodily fluids and its composition of blood, marrow, and bone, covered by a thin skin. It highlights the body's inherent impurity and the danger of predators if not for this covering, questioning why one would not feel detachment from such a vile form.

• Verse 9 (Page #12-13):

  • Theme: The inherent foulness of the body, even when adorned.
  • Summary: The body is described as constantly emanating foulness from its nine openings. Even with the application of perfumes like sandalwood, it argues that the body's inherent foulness is only highlighted, not removed. It questions what else could cause detachment if even this repulsive body does not.

• Verse 10 (Page #13-14):

  • Theme: The deceptive allure of women and the danger of attachment.
  • Summary: Women, with their charming expressions, gestures, and playful behavior, are compared to the sweet but poisonous fruits of a poison tree. Their sensual pleasures lead to weakness, disease, and ultimately, a degraded existence. They are to be avoided like a venomous snake.

• Verse 11 (Page #14-15):

  • Theme: The impermanence of the body and the fleeting nature of worldly relationships.
  • Summary: It states that the body, though indulged with desired pleasures, will not accompany one in the end. Friends and relatives are also temporary. Only one's own accumulated punya (merit) and papa (demerit) will follow. Therefore, attachment to the body, friends, and relatives is futile.

• Verse 12 (Page #15-16):

  • Theme: The transient nature of relationships and the self-centeredness of people.
  • Summary: The verse highlights that a wife's grief for her husband is temporary, especially if there is wealth. After death rites, relatives quickly forget the deceased due to their own preoccupations. This shows that in the world, everyone is concerned with their own self-interest, and getting caught in the false affection of such people leads to one's own detriment.

• Verse 13 (Page #16-17):

  • Theme: The consequences of abandoning vows and the folly of seeking worldly comforts.
  • Summary: It questions a monk who, after taking vows, abandons them due to discomforts like cold winds. It compares this to a destitute person who wouldn't eat their own excreta even when starving. It warns against the temptation to resume worldly attachments.

• Verse 14 (Page #17-18):

  • Theme: The delusion of immortality and the urgency of spiritual practice.
  • Summary: The soul, considering others' deaths as irrelevant, believes itself to be immortal. It is swayed by the senses like an elephant controlled by a goad. It does not realize when the inevitable time of death will arrive. Therefore, it is urged to act for its own well-being by following the teachings of Lord Jinendra without delay.

• Verse 15 (Page #18-19):

  • Theme: The fruits of past actions and the futility of attachment to the body.
  • Summary: If one desires happiness, they should reflect on their past deeds of charity, penance, and self-control. What one receives in this life is a consequence of past actions, just as a farmer reaps what they sow. The human body is compared to sugarcane eaten by insects; it is temporary and should be used for spiritual gain rather than attachment.

• Verse 16 (Page #19-20):

  • Theme: The wasted time of life and the importance of righteous conduct for liberation.
  • Summary: A significant portion of life is lost in sleep. The remaining years are spent in childhood (playfulness), youth (worldly pursuits, anxieties), and old age (weakness, disease). Realizing this, one should cut the bonds of delusion with the sword of knowledge and practice righteous conduct to attain liberation.

• Verse 17 (Page #20-21):

  • Theme: Accepting the hardships of asceticism with equanimity.
  • Summary: The verse advises monks (bhikshuks) to not be bothered by praise or criticism when begging for food. They should not be distressed by discomforts or unappetizing food. True monks endure the hardships of hunger, thirst, and other afflictions with equanimity for their spiritual welfare.

• Verse 18 (Page #21-22):

  • Theme: The folly of solitary wandering and attachment to women.
  • Summary: Like a lustful bull that wanders away from its herd to consort with cows, a muni who wanders alone and still harbors desire for women is misguided. If one does not have attachment to women, why wander aimlessly? One should live amongst virtuous monks and practice righteous conduct.

• Verse 19 (Page #22-24):

  • Theme: The transient nature of the body and the importance of respecting alms.
  • Summary: It is foolish to become attached to this temporary body, which is like a rented house. Even if the begged food is not tasty, one should accept it with respect. The body is impermanent, and attachment to it is pointless as time eventually claims it.

• Verse 20 (Page #24-25):

  • Theme: The futility of a human birth without charity or spiritual practice.
  • Summary: Those who acquire wealth but do not practice charity, and those who are poor but still attached to worldly desires, and those who have taken vows but are lax in their practice, all lead a meaningless human life, likened to the useless teats on a goat's neck.

• Verse 21 (Page #25-26):

  • Theme: The rarity of human birth and the proper use of its opportunities.
  • Summary: A human birth with a good lineage, health, intelligence, and the teachings of Lord Jinendra is a rare opportunity. It is a cause of great sorrow that instead of using this body as a vehicle to cross the ocean of existence, one is driven by greed for fleeting pleasures.

• Verse 22 (Page #26-27):

  • Theme: The dangerous allure of women and the need for detachment.
  • Summary: Women who are unfazed by the repulsive sight of a muni's body are compared to man-eating demons. One should view them as such and flee from them to protect their character and life, lest they steal one's virtues and vitality.

• Verse 23 (Page #27-28):

  • Theme: Maintaining caution in the company of women and focusing on spiritual study.
  • Summary: It is unwise to reside with women or to develop excessive trust in them, as this leads to ridicule, suspicion, and the destruction of one's spiritual goals. Instead, one should diligently study scriptures, follow the guru's teachings, and live with detachment.

• Verse 24 (Page #28-29):

  • Theme: The futility of external purification and the essence of asceticism.
  • Summary: External cleansing through bathing is temporary. The body, full of internal impurities, cannot be truly purified by mere washing. Asceticism is not about adornment of nails, teeth, or hair. A muni should not be attached to beautification; otherwise, their name as an ascetic is meaningless.

• Verse 25 (Page #29-30):

  • Theme: The final exhortation to control the senses.
  • Summary: The learned are encouraged to listen to this work, composed by Acharya Mallipena in 24 Shardulvikridit verses, and to control their unruly senses, which are compared to wild elephants. By restraining these difficult-to-control senses, one can overcome the cycle of birth and death and achieve ultimate welfare.

Conclusion: The book "Sajjan Chittavallabh Satik" is a guide for ascetics and householders alike, advocating for self-discipline, detachment from worldly pleasures and attachments, and the unwavering pursuit of righteous conduct as taught by the Jinas. It emphasizes the transient nature of life and the importance of spiritual practices for liberation. The commentary makes these profound teachings accessible through clear Hindi explanations.