Sakam Dharm Sadhna - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Sakam Dharm Sadhna" by Jugalkishor Mukhtar, focusing on its core message:

The text "Sakam Dharm Sadhna" by Jugalkishor Mukhtar critically examines the practice of performing religious observances with the desire for worldly benefits. It sharply contrasts this with "Nishkam Dharm Sadhna" (desireless religious practice), arguing that only the latter is true religion and yields genuine spiritual fruits.

Key Arguments and Concepts:

Sakam Dharm Sadhna (Religious Practice with Desires): This refers to performing religious acts with the intention of gaining specific worldly outcomes, such as wealth, health, victory, or even heavenly pleasures. Mukhtar argues that this approach corrupts religion, makes it flawed, and prevents the attainment of true religious benefits. Instead, it can lead to unrighteousness or even severe karmic consequences (sin).
Nishkam Dharm Sadhna (Desireless Religious Practice): This is defined as performing religious duty solely as an intrinsic obligation, without attachment to or desire for any external results. This is presented as the authentic path to spiritual growth and true fulfillment.
The Hindrance of Desires: The author explains that when individuals are impatient, lack faith, are weak, or doubt the outcomes of Dharma, they interfere with Dharma's natural course by attaching their desires to it. This makes Dharma "crippled" and ineffective, leading them to falsely blame religion for a lack of results.
The Superiority of Dharma over Wish-Fulfilling Objects: Citing Acharya Guna Bhadra from "Atmanushasan," Mukhtar highlights that while Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree) and Chintamani (wish-fulfilling jewel) require specific intentions to grant boons, Dharma grants its fruits effortlessly, without any pre-conditions or desires from the practitioner. The author questions the need to burden the soul with desires when Dharma itself is the source of all happiness and naturally bestows it. Unnecessary desires, in fact, become obstacles.
The Importance of Vivek (Wisdom/Discrimination): A central theme is the indispensable role of "vivek" (wisdom or right discernment). Mukhtar uses examples from Acharya Shubha Chandra's "Gyanarnav" to illustrate how, even when performing similar actions, the wise individual (Pandit) attains liberation, while the ignorant (Bal) binds themselves. This is because the wise person acts with understanding, while the ignorant acts without it.
Vivek Transforms Actions: The text emphasizes that vivek is what elevates mere ritualistic action into "Samya Charitra" (right conduct) and leads to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. Without vivek, even outwardly religious actions are considered "Mithya Charitra" (false conduct), mere asceticism, and a cause of continued suffering.
The Essence of True Practice (Bhav): Mukhtar stresses that actions without the right inner disposition ("bhav") are meaningless. He uses the analogy of the useless teats on a goat's neck to show that external acts like worship, penance, charity, or chanting are futile if not accompanied by the correct, pure inner state.
Distinguishing Pure and Impure States: The wise person understands the difference between pure and impure states of mind and knows which actions lead to merit (punya), demerit (paap), or neither. They understand that pursuing merit with the desire for worldly pleasures and intense passions (kashayas) is counterproductive.
Manda Kashaya vs. Tivra Kashaya: Quoting Swami Kartikeya's "Anupeksha," the text clarifies that pure (shubh) results arise from mild passions (manda kashaya), while impure (ashubh) results stem from intense passions (tivra kashaya). Those driven by intense desires for sensory pleasures, even when performing religious acts, fail to achieve purity and true merit. Mild passions, on the other hand, are the root of merit.
Sakam Sadhana as "Shopkeeping": Religious activities performed with worldly desires are likened to "sansarik dukandari" (worldly shopkeeping). Instead of bringing self-welfare, these actions can lead to the accumulation of sin and invite suffering.
Nidan and Artadhyana (Vow-bound Grievous Meditation): Acharya Shubha Chandra's concept of "Nidan Janit Artadhyana" is introduced, describing the mental state of someone performing religious acts with specific worldly desires. This state is considered a form of grievous meditation (Artadhyana) that fuels suffering like a forest fire, arising from agitated mental states (sanklesha).
Nishkanksha (Desireless) as an Anga of Samyaktva: The text highlights the importance of "Nishkanksha" (desirelessness) as one of the eight limbs of right faith (Samyaktva), as described by Acharya Amitagati. A truly wise person does not desire the fruits of their religious practices.
"Uttam" as a Symbol of Desirelessness: The adjective "Uttam" (Supreme) used with the ten virtues (like Uttam Kshama, Uttam Mardava) in the Tatvartha Sutra is explained by Acharya Pujyapad as a way to ward off worldly purposes. Performing these virtues for worldly gain negates their true religious value.
The Call for Social Change: The author laments that contemporary society largely engages in Sakam Dharm Sadhna, performing religious rituals with specific worldly aims. He calls for a societal movement to eradicate these "distortions of religion" and to return to the path of true, desireless Dharma. He urges scholars and prominent figures to critically analyze and expose these flawed practices to awaken the public.

In essence, "Sakam Dharm Sadhna" is a powerful critique of performing religious acts with ulterior motives, advocating for a pure, wisdom-driven, and desireless approach as the only way to achieve true spiritual progress and genuine happiness in Jainism.