Sambhavno Prabhav - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sambhavno Prabhav" (The Influence of Equanimity) by Girish P. Shah, based on the provided pages:

The text emphasizes the profound significance of equanimity (Samabhava) as the ultimate path to liberation (Moksha) in Jainism. It argues that attachment and aversion (Rag and Dvesh) arise from ignorance and delusion, leading to a cycle of worldly existence. Therefore, achieving equanimity, which is a state of being free from these attachments and aversions, is the key to breaking this cycle and attaining self-happiness.

Key Concepts and Arguments:

Origin of Suffering: Ignorance and delusion (Agnan and Moh) cause us to develop favorable and unfavorable inclinations towards external objects, leading to attachment (Rag) and aversion (Dvesh). This mental disposition is the essence of worldly existence.
Equanimity as the Path to Liberation: The text states that for those who desire self-happiness, it is essential to firmly confront all experiences and cultivate a mind that is free from attachment and aversion. Striving to remain in equanimity is the best way to ascend the path of karmic cessation (Kshapakashreni).
Equanimity and Spiritual Progress: Those who have resolved to realize their true self can advance on this path of equanimity. The text asserts that anyone who cultivates their soul with equanimity, regardless of their specific sect or tradition, will undoubtedly attain liberation. This state of equanimity is achieved through continuous meditation.
Cultivating Equanimity: Equanimity is not attained as long as mental fluctuations (Sankalp-Vikalp) persist. It blossoms when, through knowledge-infused renunciation (Gnanagarbhit Vairagya), ego (Aham Buddhi) and possessiveness (Mamtā) are abandoned. The destruction of desires (Vasana) through the proper observance of mental restraint (Managupti) leads to the emergence of equanimity.
Characteristics of Equanimity:
- Indifference to External Objects: When equanimity is established, there is no longer a sense of "desirable" or "undesirable," "loved" or "unloved" in the external world.
- Freedom from Attachment and Aversion: This leads to the absence of Rag and Dvesh.
- Non-Binding Karma: Even while experiencing worldly pleasures, one does not create new karma. Instead, experiencing existing karma with equanimity leads to greater purification (Nirjara).
- Emotional Stability: There is no elation upon acquiring external objects or sorrow upon losing them. Equanimity maintains a steady state of mind during experiences of pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor, praise and blame, life and death.
- Impartiality: There is an even-mindedness towards friends and enemies, like sandalwood which cools both the body and the heat.
- Transcending Dualities: Advanced practitioners may even transcend the distinction between worldly life and liberation.
The Power of Equanimity:
- Destruction of Karma: A stable mind, unshaken even by adverse circumstances, leads to the destruction of various types of auspicious and inauspicious karma.
- Attainment of Non-Violence (Ahimsa): Equanimity leads to the achievement of non-violence, resulting in the abandonment of animosity.
- Harmonious Coexistence: Beings in the presence of those with equanimity become peaceful. Even dangerous creatures like lions and snakes become calm, and natural enemies like cows and tigers, swans and cats, serpents and peacocks forget their inherent animosity.
- Purification of Mind: The company of a yogi possessing equanimity, even without preaching, purifies the mind by destroying anger and other negative emotions, leading to increased equanimity.
- Cessation of Desires: Equanimity leads to the absorption of the mind (Manolay), resulting in the absence of attachment to desires.
- Discernment of Soul: With the destruction of the darkness of attachment and other afflictions by the "stick" of equanimity, the soul and karma are separated. In an instant, karma accumulated over millions of births is destroyed, and the true nature of the Supreme Soul is revealed.
- Attainment of Highest Powers: Equanimity leads to the acquisition of wealth like omniscience (Kevaljnana), unfading happiness, and the ultimate state (Paramapad).
Purpose of Spiritual Texts: The vastness of spiritual scriptures is primarily to dispel great suffering and to reveal and strengthen equanimity.
Equanimity as the Essence of Liberation: Saints cherish equanimity because where there is equanimity, there is liberation. Therefore, one should abandon possessiveness and embrace equanimity. Practices like austerities (Tapa) and chanting (Japa) are all aimed at establishing equanimity. Equanimity is the creeper of blissful happiness. Those who uphold equanimity are virtuous and fortunate.
Liberation is in the Hands of Equanimity: True liberation rests with equanimity. As long as the mind is afflicted by vices like attachment and aversion, one continues to fall into unfavorable states of existence. Without the equanimity of true conduct (Bhava Charitra), even those who are not destined for liberation (Abhavya Jiv) can achieve some level of spiritual progress through material conduct (Dravya Charitra) but cannot cross the ocean of existence. Therefore, without equanimity, liberation is impossible in any of the three times (past, present, future).

Equanimity and Meditation (Dhyana):

When equanimity, which is the culmination of knowledge, is adopted, it generates auspicious meditation that purifies karma and serves as a means to liberation. Thus, equanimity is the primary component of right meditation (Sadhyana).
Meditation and equanimity are considered to be almost identical. Meditation relies on equanimity, and equanimity relies on meditation.
In the state of karmic subsidence (Kshapasham), both meditation and equanimity can be considered as actions. However, very few in the world engage in such subtle actions after gaining true knowledge.
Through this subtle practice of meditation and equanimity, infinite karmic particles are destroyed, and many karmic tendencies are uprooted. This leads to experiencing self-happiness moment by moment, manifesting the power of pure meditation (Shukla Dhyana), and attaining the pure nature of the soul.
Upon attaining absolute knowledge (Kshayik Jnana), the mind's activity is no longer necessary in the state of equanimity which is true conduct (Bhava Charitra). Therefore, in the highest spiritual stages (Gunasthana), a liberated being (Kevali) possesses only material mind (Dravya Man), not mental activity (Bhava Man).
In essence, the fruit of self-knowledge is equanimity, which is true conduct and the source of bliss, and the cause of liberation.

Stages of Equanimity:

The decline of afflictions (Kashaya) leads to an increase in the essence of the soul, and eventually, the soul attains the path of karmic cessation and liberation.
The mind is fickle, while the pure nature of the soul is stable. By directing one's attention to the pure nature of the soul, the mind becomes steady, the consequences of attachment and aversion cease, and the state of equanimity emerges.
When the soul recognizes itself as distinct from the three bodies (physical, subtle, causal), free from attachment, aversion, and delusion, and separate from all external objects and their states, it becomes established in equanimity.
Therefore, one should renounce sensual desires, abandon attachment to the body, and cultivate equanimity.

Experience and Levels of Equanimity:

The state of being liberated while alive (Jivanmukta Dasha) is experienced through equanimity. This state is present in the tenth spiritual stage (Sagi Kevali) and also, to some extent, in the fourth spiritual stage due to the subsidence of afflictions.
In the higher spiritual stages, the essence of equanimity increases progressively with the unfolding of pure meditation.
There are countless varieties of equanimity. Attaining the highest form of equanimity makes one a complete yogi.
Past great souls like Marudevi Mata, Bharat Chakravarti, Prince Prasannachandra, and Chilatiputra attained liberation through the subtle practices of meditation and equanimity. Many are attaining liberation in the present, and many will do so in the future.

The text concludes with a wish that all beings in the world attain the highest state of equanimity through the meditation of their pure soul.