Samtayoga Ek Anuchintan - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Samtayoga Ek Anuchintan" by Jashkaran Daga, based on the provided PDF pages:

The book "Samtayoga Ek Anuchintan" (A Contemplation on Equanimity Yoga) by Jashkaran Daga explores the profound concept of Samtayoga, which is presented as the pinnacle of spiritual practice and the ultimate path to liberation in Jainism.

Core Concept of Samtayoga:

Definition: Samtayoga is defined as the perfect samanvay (coordination) of the three main yogas in spiritual pursuit: Jnana Yoga (Yoga of Knowledge), Karma Yoga (Yoga of Action), and Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of Devotion).
Essence: It is considered the highest yoga on the path to moksha (liberation). Without the synergistic blend of these three, even a singular focus on knowledge, action, or devotion is deemed incomplete.
Analogy: Similar to how Triphala (a medicinal preparation of Haritaki, Bibhitaki, and Amalaki) is more potent than its individual components, Samtayoga, through the harmonious integration of knowledge, devotion (represented by Darshan), and virtuous conduct (represented by Charitra or Karma), leads to the ultimate bliss and realization of the soul.
Symbolism of "Samta": The word "Samta" itself is broken down into three letters, symbolizing the Ratnatraya (Three Jewels) of Jainism:
- Sa: Samyaktva (Right Faith/Belief)
- Ma: Mati (Right Knowledge)
- Ta: Tyaga (Renunciation/Right Conduct/Action) Thus, Samtayoga is the confluence of these three.
Synonyms and Deeper Meaning: The term "Samta" is derived from "Sam" and has three Sanskrit synonyms:
1. Samya: The natural, neutral, and unblemished state of the soul.
2. Shama: The state of peace achieved by controlling anger, pride, deceit, and greed.
3. Shrama: The pure and unblemished state of the soul attained after the shedding of karma through penance.
Ultimate Goal: Samtayoga is the divine art of transforming from an bahiratma (outward-focused soul) to an antar atma (inward-focused soul), then to a mahatma (great soul), and finally to a paramatma (supreme soul or God). It is the ultimate aim of all penance, chanting, knowledge, and meditation.

The Counterpoint: Mamata (Attachment/Possessiveness):

Definition: Mamata is defined as murcha (infatuation or strong attachment), which creates vishmta (inequity/unevenness/imbalance) in the soul.
The "Five Sons" and Numerous Relatives:
- Mamata's Five Sons: Mithyatva (False Belief), Avrat (Vowlessness), Kashaya (Passions: anger, pride, deceit, greed), Pramada (Carelessness/Negligence), and Ashubha Yoga (Inauspicious activities of mind, speech, and body).
- Mamata's Relatives: A vast array of negative traits and sins like anger, pride, deceit, greed, envy, lust, hatred, fear, disgust, restlessness, conflict, agitation, thirst, enmity, violence, falsehood, stealing, unchastity, excessive possession, unkindness, attachment, aversion, slander, crookedness, deceit, and all other sinful tendencies.
Samta's Five Sons: Samyaktva, Virati (Restraint/Abstinence), Akashaya (Absence of Passions), Apramatta (Diligence), and Shubha or Shuddha Yoga (Auspicious or Pure activities).
Samta's Relatives: Peace (Shama), righteous zeal (Samvega), detachment (Niveda), control of influx of karma (Aasrava), compassion (Anukampa, Daya), patience, forgiveness, renunciation, dispassion, truth, non-violence, non-stealing, chastity, non-possession, simplicity, tolerance, humility, absence of envy, uprightness, lightness, desire for liberation (Mumukshuta), selfless service (Nissmruh Seva), blocking of karmic influx (Sanvar), and shedding of karma (Nirjara) and all virtuous qualities.
Root of Happiness and Suffering: Samta is the root of happiness, while Mamata is the root of suffering. Contentment is the root of Anand and happiness, and Samta is the root of contentment. Conversely, attachment (Moh) is the root of sorrow and grief, greed is the root of attachment, and Mamata is the root of greed. Thus, Mamata is identified as the cause of suffering.

Harms of Mamata (Attachment):

Prevents Moksha: Unless intense attachment is removed, the path to liberation cannot be attained. The deeply binding karmas of Anantanubandhi Kashaya and Darshan Mohaniya are the primary roots of Mamata. Without their destruction, even with significant spiritual practices, one cannot achieve Samyaktva.
Life-Destroying: Intense attachment can lead to self-destruction or accidental death due to overwhelming infatuation (illustrated by the story of the lottery winner and the unfortunate priest).
Root of All Sorrows: Lord Mahavir identified Parigraha (possessiveness/attachment) as the cause of all suffering, comparing it to a piece of meat that attracts conflict and danger from all sides. As long as attachment to wealth remains, life will be filled with various sorrows and unrest.

Benefits of Samtayoga:

Attainment of Right Conduct (Charitra): True conduct is only achieved when Samabhava (equanimous feeling) is present.
True Samayika: The foundation of Samayika (a specific period of meditation and spiritual observance) is Samta. Without Samta, even a technically correct Samayika is not truly valid. Samayika means equanimity towards all beings.
Basis of All Vows: The pure observance of all vows, renunciations, restraints, and disciplines is possible only through a state of Samta. Instability (Vismata) jeopardizes their existence.
Man Becomes Great: Greatness is defined not by knowledge, eloquence, renunciation, or asceticism, but by equanimity in the face of praise and blame, pleasure and pain, honor and dishonor. One who remains "Sam" (equanimous) in adverse situations becomes a Mahamanava (superhuman).
Good Destination (Sadgati): Those who remain in Samtayoga at the time of death, with auspicious leshyas (subtle colors of the soul), are assured of a good destination. Those clinging to Mamata often die with inauspicious leshyas and go to lower realms.
Fruitful Sadhana: Just as ghee enhances milk's potency, Samta amplifies the fruitfulness of spiritual practices like Samayika, worship, renunciation, and penance, leading to miraculous results.
Liberation is Impossible Without Samta: The scriptures explicitly state that no soul has ever attained, or will ever attain, liberation without the practice of Samtayoga.
Soul Becomes God: Samtayoga is the primary path to elevate the soul to the state of Paramatma. It leads to the destruction of vices and the development of virtues, ultimately revealing the soul's divine nature.
Attainment of True Happiness: Samta brings immediate and true happiness. This happiness is so profound that it surpasses the joys of emperors and celestial beings. It is described as "cash" dharma, not "credit" dharma. Even those who are not fortunate enough to possess good karma can become happier than the fortunate by adopting the path of Samta.

Practical Means for Practicing Samtayoga:

The author emphasizes the importance of action aligning with knowledge and suggests several practical steps:

Desire to Acquire Virtues: Continuously strive to learn virtues from everyone and everything encountered. Reject faults like a swan separates milk from water.
Self-Reflection on Faults (Swadosh Darshan): The inability to attain Samta stems from finding fault with others. We must consciously observe our own significant flaws rather than focusing on minor faults of others. The analogy of a speck in another's eye versus a beam in one's own is used. This self-reflection leads to humility and reduces vices.
Feeling of Kinship with All Beings (Sarvabhoot Atmiya Bhavana): Develop a friendly disposition towards all beings, recognizing the soul within each as akin to one's own. True scholars (Pandits) know the nature of reality and feel kinship with all beings.
Simple, Plain, and Restrained Life: A simple, modest, and controlled lifestyle is crucial for Samta practitioners. Control over body, mind, speech, and wealth prevents unrest and imbalance.
Tolerance and Sweet Behavior: Maintain a generous and compassionate demeanor towards all, including adversaries. Speak sweetly and with restraint. Respect individuals from different traditions without prejudice. True followers of Mahavir should be able to sit together in love, irrespective of minor differences in practice. Avoid partisanship, as it fuels attachment and aversion, the seeds of karmic bondage.
Maintain Vigilant Discretion (Vivek Jagrat Rakhen): Always keep the light of discretion burning to ward off the darkness of inequity. Discretion leads to self-recognition and the realization of true Samta, which is described as a unique bliss. The story of the dying Seth is used to illustrate how awakening discretion can resolve attachment to wealth and lead to peaceful death.
Detached, Mamata-Free Attitude: Cultivate a detached attitude, free from attachment to the "five Ks" (Kanchan, Kamini, Kutumb, Kaya, Kirti – gold, woman, family, body, fame). The Dwadas Bhavanas (Twelve Reflections) are presented as a powerful tool for cutting through these bonds.
Remain Joyful through Auspicious Meditation (Shubh Dhyan): Cultivate a cheerful disposition and engage in auspicious meditation (Dharma Dhyana). Avoid afflictive (Arta) and wrathful (Raudra) meditations. When facing difficulties, remember that they are due to past karma, compare your suffering to those worse off, and understand that negative states will also pass.
Avoid Unethical Behavior: Do not treat others in ways you would not wish to be treated. This principle fosters harmony and prevents conflict.
Seek Solace in Self-Study and Good Company (Swadhyaya Satsang): These are described as two nectar-like fruits of the poisonous tree of the world. They help detach from worldly attachments by revealing the inner divine.
Practice of Four Noble Sentiments:
- Maitri (Friendship): Wishing well-being and welfare for all beings.
- Pramoda (Joy): Feeling joy in the virtues of others.
- Karuna (Compassion): Sympathizing with the suffering of others and wishing for their relief.
- Madhyastha (Neutrality/Equanimity): Maintaining a neutral stance towards the wicked or undeserving, avoiding enmity. These sentiments are a treasure of infinite happiness, unlike the attraction to anger, pride, deceit, and greed which brings infinite sorrow.
Cultivate Supreme Forgiveness (Uttam Kshama): Forgive even those who cause pain or distress, seeing them only as instruments. The text provides three inspiring examples of this: Muni Kshamasagar, Acharya Bhikshu, and the story of the saint who explained "Satan's language" to dissuade devotees from revenge. Forgiveness is an inexhaustible source of Samta.

Conclusion:

The book concludes by urging readers to reflect on whether they have become truly human by embracing the quality of Samta, which is the essence of humanity. It emphasizes the need to abandon Tamas (darkness/ignorance/anger) to achieve Samta. By cultivating virtues like peace, contentment, tolerance, and forgiveness, and aligning one's dharma, karma, conduct, and thoughts with Samtayoga, life can become meaningful and blessed. The pursuit of Samta is presented as a direct and immediate path to realizing the pure, radiant, and blissful nature of the soul.