Samkitna Sadsath Bolni Sazzaya Vachna - Book Summary

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Samkitna Sadsath Bolni Sazzaya Vachna" authored by Chandraguptasuri, based on the provided pages.

The text is a detailed explanation and commentary on the "Samkitna Sadsath Bol" (Sixty-Six Principles of Right Faith) composed by Mahamahopadhyaya Shri Yashovijayji Maharaj. The commentary itself is presented as a "Vachna" (discourse or recitation) by Pujya Aacharya Bhagwan Shri V. Chandraguptasuri Maharaj.

Core Theme: The Supremacy and Essence of Samyak Darshan (Right Faith)

The central argument of the text is the supreme importance of Samyak Darshan (Samyak Darshan) or Right Faith within the Jain philosophy. It emphasizes that true religion and liberation (Moksha) are unattainable without it. The text contrasts Jainism with other philosophies, asserting that only within Jainism is Samyak Darshan achievable, leading to liberation within a finite timeframe (at the latest, by the end of Adhdpudgalavartakalpa).

Mahamahopadhyaya Yashovijayji Maharaj's "Samkitna Sadsath Bolni Sazzaya"

The text highlights the brilliance and profoundness of Yashovijayji Maharaj's work, "Samkitna Sadsath Bolni Sazzaya." It praises the author, the composition, and the subject matter (Samyak Darshan) as being extraordinary and joy-inducing. The Sazzaya is described as a composition meant to explain the profound meaning of Samyak Darshan in a way that even common people can understand. The commentary emphasizes that true happiness arises from experiencing the joy of the soul, which begins with the practice of Samyak Darshan.

Key Principles and Concepts Explained:

The commentary delves into various aspects of Samyak Darshan, breaking it down into the "Sixty-Six Principles." These principles are elaborated through discussions on:

The Nature of Samyak Darshan:
- It is the ultimate purpose of the Vitaraga Paramatma's teachings.
- It is the foundation for true religious attainment and leads to the ultimate goal of Moksha.
- It purifies the soul and leads to the manifestation of inherent spiritual qualities.
- It distinguishes Jainism from other philosophies.
The Source of Samyak Darshan:
- Primarily received through the grace and guidance of a Guru (spiritual teacher). The text strongly emphasizes the crucial role of the Guru in attaining and sustaining Samyak Darshan, equating disrespect or neglect of the Guru to a grave offense that can lead to the loss of Samyak Darshan.
The Importance of Samyak Darshan over Other Practices:
- Charitable acts (Dana) and other religious rituals are ineffective for liberation without Samyak Darshan.
- While other philosophies aimed for liberation, their proponents and followers did not achieve it due to the absence of Samyak Darshan.
The Sixty-Six Principles (Briefly Mentioned and Elaborated):
- The commentary outlines the structure of these principles, which include:
  - Fourfold Faith (Chau Saduhana): The core principles of belief.
  - Three Linga (Signs/Characteristics): Indications of one who possesses Samyak Darshan.
  - Ten types of Vinaya (Respectful Conduct): Essential for maintaining spiritual progress.
  - Threefold Purity (Man, Vachan, Kaya Shuddhi): Purity of mind, speech, and action.
  - Fivefold Faults (Panch Dushan): Things to be avoided to protect Samyak Darshan.
  - Eightfold Influence (Aath Prabhavak): Qualities that enhance and spread the glory of Jainism.
  - Five Adornments (Panch Bhushan): Qualities that beautify Samyak Darshan.
  - Five Characteristics (Panch Lakshana): Clear signs of Samyak Darshan.
  - Six Restraints (Shat Jayana): Practices to protect Samyak Darshan from transgression.
  - Six Waivers (Shat Agar): Permissible exceptions for maintaining vows and principles.
  - Sixfold Meditations (Shat Bhavna): Practices for spiritual growth.
  - Six Positions (Shat Sthan): Foundational truths for spiritual understanding.
The Role of Knowledge and Understanding:
- Simply studying texts is not enough; understanding and internalizing the teachings are crucial for liberation.
- The commentary stresses the importance of 'what to understand' over 'what to study.'
The Importance of the Guru:
- The text provides an anecdote about Yashovijayji Maharaj's intellectual prowess in debating with scholars of other philosophies, demonstrating the power of true knowledge facilitated by the Guru.
- The Guru is described as the source of all spiritual attainments.
The Nature of True Happiness:
- True happiness is not found in worldly, sensory pleasures but in the experience of the soul's inherent bliss. This happiness is unattainable without reducing attachment to worldly desires.
The Concept of ‘Tatva’ (Reality):
- The commentary clarifies the meaning of 'Tatva' as the true nature of things, particularly the soul and its spiritual qualities, which are distinct from worldly possessions and experiences. It criticizes the tendency to mistake worldly experiences for the soul's true nature.
The Interconnectedness of Knowledge and Faith:
- Samyak Darshan and Samyak Gyan (Right Knowledge) are presented as inseparable, arriving simultaneously like the horns of a cow.
The Nature of the Soul and Karma:
- The soul is described as inherently pure and full of virtues, but these are obscured by karmic coverings. The destruction of these coverings through proper practice leads to the manifestation of the soul's true nature.
- The commentary touches upon the different types of Samyak Darshan based on the dissolution (Kshay, Kshayopasham, Upsham) of Darshan Mohaniya Karma.
The Importance of Purity:
- Purity of mind, speech, and action is essential for maintaining and deepening Samyak Darshan.
The Role of Vinaya (Respectful Conduct):
- Vinaya is considered the root of all spiritual accomplishments and the seed of Moksha. It is emphasized that respect for those who have helped us is paramount.
The Avoidance of Faults (Dushan):
- The text details various faults that can undermine Samyak Darshan, such as doubt, desire for wrong teachings, suspicion about the fruits of religion, praising wrongdoers, and associating with those who deviate from the right path.
The Characteristics of a True Devotee (Samkiti):
- A true devotee exhibits traits like unwavering faith, the ability to endure hardships with equanimity, detachment from worldly pleasures, and a deep reverence for the teachings and the Guru.
The Distinction between Linga (Signs) and Lakshana (Characteristics):
- Linga are considered indicators that may be temporary or misleading, while Lakshana are inherent and permanent signs of true Samyak Darshan.
The Practice of Jayana (Restraint/Caution):
- The text outlines six specific restraints to protect Samyak Darshan, particularly concerning interactions with those outside the true faith or those who may lead one astray.
The Importance of Bhavana (Meditations/Reflections):
- Six Bhavanas are presented as crucial for sustaining and deepening Samyak Darshan, emphasizing the cultivation of virtues like equanimity, detachment, and the desire for liberation.
The Significance of Six Sthan (Positions/Principles):
- These foundational principles discuss the nature of the soul, its relationship with karma, and the path to liberation.

Overall Message:

The "Vachna" serves as a profound guide to understanding and internalizing the principles of Samyak Darshan. It stresses that the journey to liberation is arduous but achievable through sincere devotion, unwavering faith in the Jain path, the guidance of a true Guru, and the diligent practice of the prescribed principles and conduct. The commentary is filled with rich analogies and illustrative examples to make the complex philosophical concepts accessible and impactful for the reader. The ultimate aim is to help individuals cultivate the unwavering conviction of Samyak Darshan, which is the key to breaking free from the cycle of birth and death and attaining eternal bliss.