Samadhi Shatakma Mokshmarga - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Samadhi Shatakma Mokshmarga" by Jayendra M. Shah, based on the provided pages:

This text is an analysis of the "Samadhi Shatak" (Century on Samadhi), a Sanskrit work by the Digambara Acharya Pujyapada Swami. The author, Jayendra M. Shah, highlights the significant contribution of Upadhyay Yashovijayji, who beautifully rendered the essence of Pujyapada Swami's Sanskrit verses into Hindi couplets (dohas). This adaptation made the profound teachings accessible to the common populace.

Core Teachings and Structure:

The "Samadhi Shatak" focuses on the path to liberation (mokshmarga) and the attainment of the supreme soul (paramatma). The central theme is the nature of the self (atma), which is described in three states:

Bahiratman (Outer Soul): This is the state where one identifies with the body and external possessions. This identification, born from ignorance, leads to suffering and a sense of being pitiable. The text likens this to mistaking the body's qualities (thick, thin, old, colored) for the soul's.
Antaratman (Inner Soul): This is the state where the soul, free from mental impurities and attachment to the body, begins to recognize its true nature. It's a stage of internal awareness and freedom from delusion.
Paramatman (Supreme Soul): This is the state of the liberated soul, completely free from karmic impurities, possessing infinite knowledge and bliss. It's the ultimate goal of spiritual practice.

Key Concepts and Practices:

Samadhi: The text defines samadhi as the state of oneness between the meditator (dhyata), the act of meditation (dhyana), and the object of meditation (dhyeya), leading to a dissolution of the ego. It also refers to the soul's stability in its own nature.
Path to Paramatman: The journey to the supreme soul involves abandoning the bahiratman state, cultivating the antaratman state, and finally realizing the paramatman state.
Illustration of the Eel and Wasp: This classic analogy is used to illustrate how through focused contemplation and practice, one can transform into the object of their meditation. Just as a wasp transforms an eel into a wasp, meditating on the supreme soul leads to becoming like the supreme soul.
Control of Senses: The text emphasizes the importance of restraining sensory organs to achieve the stable state of the antaratman, which then leads to the experience of the paramatman.
Discernment (Bhedgyan): The ability to differentiate the soul from the body is crucial. Without this discernment, merely performing rituals won't lead to the end of the cycle of birth and death.
Detachment from the World: The enlightened individual (gyani) views the world with detachment, like looking at wood or stone, understanding its transient and ultimately unreal nature in the pursuit of the ultimate truth.
Vows (Vrat) and Non-Vows (Avrat): The text suggests that while vows are necessary until the attainment of the supreme state (paramabhav), they can be relinquished once that state is achieved.
Insignificance of External Signs: The text, aligning with Digambara beliefs, states that external signs like lineage, dress, or sect (linga, jati) are not the sole determinants of liberation. True liberation is attained through the inner transformation of "Bhavalinga" (internal disposition and conduct) rather than "Dravyaliga" (external appearance). The author notes that adherence to specific sects or external markers prevents some from reaching the ultimate spiritual goal.
Uselessness of Dry Knowledge: Knowledge without the eradication of mental fluctuations (sankalp-vikalpa) is deemed futile, akin to a bull in an oil press that travels miles but remains in the same place.
Importance of Both Knowledge and Action (Gyan and Kriya): The text stresses the necessity of both knowledge and action in the path to liberation. Disregarding either leads to spiritual blindness.
Three Types of Yoga:
- Ichchhayog (Yoga of Desire): This involves pursuing religious activities but with a degree of attachment or imperfection due to negligence.
- Shastrayog (Scriptural Yoga): This involves continuous practice in accordance with scriptures and progressing through spiritual stages.
- Samarthyayog (Yoga of Strength/Capacity): This represents a higher level of spiritual energy and self-power, surpassing even Shastrayog.
Bhav Jainism: This is defined as embracing the essence of all philosophical viewpoints (nayavada) and living according to one's spiritual capacity, without hypocrisy.
Value of Action: Actions that are aligned with the path to liberation are essential. Hypocritical actions or those that deceive others lead to continued entanglement in the cycle of rebirth.
Indifference and Discernment: While a general indifference towards worldly affairs is encouraged, one should, through discerning wisdom, choose and embrace virtuous actions.
The Fruit of the Text: The "Samadhi Shatak" is described as a garland of precious jewels (bhav ratan), containing the pure feelings of the soul. It guides the aspirant on the path to liberation, leading to the blissful state of the paramatman. The text concludes by stating that by understanding and internalizing its teachings, one can achieve spiritual welfare.

In essence, the "Samadhi Shatak" by Pujyapada Swami, as elucidated by Upadhyay Yashovijayji and analyzed by Jayendra M. Shah, provides a profound and practical guide to self-realization and liberation, emphasizing inner transformation, detachment, and the balanced integration of knowledge and action.