Samaysar

The provided text is an extensive summary and explanation of the Jain text "Samaysar" by Acharya Kundakunda, with commentary by Acharya Amritchandra and a Hindi translation/commentary by Dr. Hukamchand Bharilla. The document is a comprehensive guide to understanding the core philosophical concepts of Jainism as presented in Samaysar.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and concepts covered, organized by the structure of the text and its commentary:

I. Introduction and Publisher's Note (Pages 1-3):

• Samaysar: The text is identified as Samaysar, authored by Bhagwan Kundakundacharya, with a Sanskrit commentary by Acharya Amritchandra (Atmakhyaati) and a Hindi commentary (Gyayakbhav Prabodhini) and verse translation by Dr. Hukamchand Bharilla.
• Publisher: Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust, Jaipur.
• Success of the Work: The publisher expresses joy at the rapid publication of the second edition, noting the first edition sold out quickly, indicating a high demand for scholarly works on Samaysar.
• Dr. Bharilla's Contribution: The publisher highlights Dr. Bharilla's deep dedication to Samaysar over 40 years, his extensive writings and lectures, and his mastery of the original text and its Sanskrit commentary.
• Key Features of Dr. Bharilla's Commentary:
  • Simple, accessible, and clear Hindi language.
  • Easy-to-understand translation of the Sanskrit commentary.
  • Melodious verse translations of the verses (Gathas) and couplets (Kalashas).
  • Clear explanations of the core ideas, often with examples.
  • Inclusion of verses from Acharya Jayasena's "Tattvavritti" commentary not found in Atmakhyaati.
  • Unique inclusion of the commentator's own Hindi verse translations.
  • Detailed and clear exposition of "47 Powers."
  • Elaboration of important verses with examples.
  • Accessibility for beginners in Jain spirituality.
  • Inclusion of concluding sections on "Atmanubhuti" from Tattvavritti.
  • Brief overview of previous content at the start of each chapter.
  • Overall emphasis on simplicity and making Samaysar accessible to the common reader.
  • Affordability due to donor support.

II. The Author and the Book (Pages 4-13):

• Acharya Kundakunda:
  • His paramount position in the Digambar Jain monastic tradition.
  • His invocation at the beginning of religious discourses.
  • His mention alongside Lord Mahavir and Ganadhar Gautama.
  • The "Kundakundanvay" inscription on Jinabimba (idol).
  • Testimonies from inscriptions and later scholars highlighting his greatness.
  • His renunciation of worldly desires, leading to minimal personal life details.
  • His self-identification as a disciple of Shrutakevali Bhadrabahu, a knowledgeable scholar of the twelve Angas and fourteen Purvas.
  • His various epithets: Elacharya, Vakragrivacharya, Griddhupichhacharya.
  • Stories about his life, including a visit to Videhkshetra to see Tirthankar Simandhar Swami.
  • His role in establishing "Jin-Adhyatma" (Jain spirituality) and organizing the "Paramagam" (higher spiritual texts).
  • His classification of the nine Tattvas through "Nishchaya-Vyavahara" (ultimate and conventional truth) and "Dravyarthika-Paryayarthika" (substance and mode) viewpoints.
  • His work "Ashtapahud" which criticized flawed spiritual practices.
  • The statement that despite his eminence, the Digambar Jain society was largely unfamiliar with him until the influence of Shri Kanji Swami.
  • List of his available works: Samaysar, Pravachansar, Niyamsar, Panchastikay, Ashtapahud, and potentially others like Dwadshanupreksha, Dashbhakti, Ratnasar, Mulachar.
  • Mention of his lost commentary on Shatkhandagama.
  • Details of the eight "Pahud" in Ashtapahud.
• Samaysar as the Pinnacle:
  • Considered the crown jewel of all Jain literature, focusing on "Shuddhatma" (pure soul).
  • Acharya Amritchandra's descriptions: "The only indestructible eye of the universe" and "Nothing is greater than Samaysar."
  • The result of studying Samaysar: Attainment of "Uttamam Saukhyam" (ultimate happiness/bliss).
  • Kundakunda's intended audience: Pnachastikay for those with brief interest, Pravachansar for medium interest, and Samaysar for detailed interest.
  • Shri Kanji Swami's description: "Agam of Agams," essence of millions of scriptures, pillar of Jainism, source of fulfillment for seekers.
  • The core message: Realizing the "Gyayakbhav" (pure knowing state) of the soul, which is distinct from all else, untouched by karma, and eternally complete.
  • The central tenet: The soul is the ultimate reality, beyond all attributes and actions of other substances.
  • The importance of "Shuddhanay" (pure viewpoint) which grasms the indivisible, unchanging nature of the soul.
  • The distinction between "Nishchaya" (ultimate truth) and "Vyavahara" (conventional truth).
  • The danger of mistaking "Vyavahara" for "Nishchaya" (becoming engrossed in the conventional).

III. Key Philosophical Concepts Explained (Pages 12-38 & onwards):

• The Soul (Jiva) and Non-Soul (Ajiva):
  • The fundamental distinction between the soul and all other substances.
  • The soul as pure consciousness, knowing, and unchanging.
  • The soul as distinct from all non-soul (pudgala, dharma, adharma, akasha, kala, and their modifications).
• Nishchaya vs. Vyavahara (Ultimate vs. Conventional Truth):
  • Nishchaya: The ultimate, indivisible, unchanging reality of the soul as pure consciousness (Gyayakbhav). This is the ultimate truth.
  • Vyavahara: Conventional truth, which describes relationships and actions from a practical viewpoint, but is not the ultimate reality. The text emphasizes that mistaking Vyavahara for Nishchaya leads to error.
• The Nature of the Pure Soul:
  • Gyayakbhav: The soul's inherent nature is to know, not to do or experience.
  • Atyanta Bhinna: Utterly distinct from all else.
  • Abheda: Indivisible, not subject to internal or external division.
  • Nirvikar: Unchanging, unaffected by any external or internal modifications.
  • Chaitanya: Pure consciousness.
• Rejection of External Influence:
  • The soul is not bound by karma or influenced by non-soul substances.
  • The soul's actions (in terms of knowing) are its own nature, not an action upon external objects.
• Karma and Bondage:
  • Karma is explained as Pudgala (matter) and its bondage is due to the soul's mistaken identification with per-actions (actions of non-soul).
  • The explanation of how karma binds and how it is shed (Nirjara) is a central theme, detailed through various chapters.
• Karma and Bondage Mechanism:
  • Pudgala Karma: Karma is explained as matter, not an immaterial action.
  • Ashrava (Influx): The influx of subtle matter-particles (karmic particles) into the soul due to the soul's passions (kashayas) like anger, pride, deceit, greed, and through activities of mind, speech, and body.
  • Bandha (Bondage): The soul's mistaken identification with these karmic particles, leading to their attachment and manifestation as bondage.
  • Nirjara (Shedding of Karma): The process of destroying karma by controlling passions, following the Jain path of conduct, and ultimately through pure soul-consciousness.
  • Samvara (Stoppage of Influx): The practice of controlling the influx of new karma through vigilance, vows, and other austerities.
  • Moksha (Liberation): The ultimate goal, achieved by shedding all karma, leading to the soul's pure, omniscient, omnipotent, blissful state.
• Key Chapters/Sections:
  • Purvaranga (Preliminary): Sets the stage, introduces the concept of the soul and the methodology of understanding it.
  • Jivajiva Adhikara (Chapter on Soul and Non-Soul): Establishes the fundamental distinction between soul and non-soul.
  • Karta-Karma Adhikara (Chapter on Doer and Deed): Explains that the soul is not the doer of karmic actions.
  • Punya-Papa Adhikara (Chapter on Merit and Demerit): Clarifies that both merit and demerit karma bind the soul and are not the path to liberation.
  • Ashrava Adhikara (Chapter on Influx): Details the causes of karmic influx.
  • Samvara Adhikara (Chapter on Stoppage): Explains the methods to stop karmic influx.
  • Nirjara Adhikara (Chapter on Shedding Karma): Describes the process of shedding accumulated karma.
  • Bandha Adhikara (Chapter on Bondage): Explains the nature and mechanism of karmic bondage.
  • Moksha Adhikara (Chapter on Liberation): Describes the state of liberation and the path to it.
  • Sarvavishuddha Gyana Adhikara (Chapter on Pure Knowledge): Focuses on the ultimate state of the liberated soul as pure knowledge.
• The Three Jewels (Trikala Samudaya): Samyagdarshan (Right Faith), Samyagjnana (Right Knowledge), and Samyagcharitra (Right Conduct) are presented as the path to liberation, intricately linked to understanding the soul's true nature.

Overall Summary:

The text is a profound exposition of Jain philosophy, particularly the teachings of Acharya Kundakunda in Samaysar. It emphasizes the distinct reality of the soul as pure, unchanging consciousness, free from all external influences and actions. The commentary by Dr. Hukamchand Bharilla aims to make these complex spiritual concepts accessible to a wide audience through clear Hindi, poetic translations, and illustrative examples. The core message revolves around realizing the soul's inherent purity and omnipotence, achieved by disassociating from external and internal modifications (karmas, passions, external objects) through right faith, right knowledge, and right conduct, ultimately leading to liberation from the cycle of birth and death. The commentary also highlights the importance of understanding the different levels of truth (Nishchaya and Vyavahara) in Jainism.