Samyaktva Mul Bar Vrat - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Samyaktva Mul Bar Vrat" by Dhirajlal D. Mehta, based on the provided pages:

The book, "Samyaktva Mul Bar Vrat" (The Twelve Vows Rooted in Righteousness/Faith), authored by Dhirajlal D. Mehta and published by Shri Jain Dharm Prasaran Trust Surat, aims to guide householders (Shravaks and Shravikas) towards a righteous and disciplined life according to Jain principles.

Core Philosophy and Purpose:

Human Life as Precious: The text emphasizes that human life is a rare and precious opportunity, obtained through immense merit, to practice dharma and achieve self-welfare. Birth in a Jain family, in an Arya land, and developing faith in Jainism are presented as even rarer blessings.
Avoiding Unnecessary Sins: It highlights the importance of understanding the concepts of merit (punya) and demerit (papa) and renouncing unnecessary sins.
The Importance of Vows (Vratas) and Pledges (Pachakhkhan): A key theme is the necessity of taking vows (pachakhkhan) to break the continuity of sin, even if the sins are not actively committed in the present. The analogy of paying rent for a rented house, even if not occupied, is used to illustrate that without formally renouncing a sin through a vow, the karmic inflow (ashrav) continues.
Overcoming Fear of Breaking Vows: The book addresses the fear many people have about taking vows, worrying they might break them. It reassures readers that even if a vow is broken, the act of taking it and the subsequent atonement (alochan, pashchatap, prayashchit) are valuable and do not invalidate the initial pledge.
Vows Lead to Fearlessness: Vows are presented not as restrictions, but as a path to a fearless and noble life. They provide structure and protection, similar to legal documents securing property.
The Goal of Twelve Vows: The ultimate aim is to understand and practice the twelve vows (Bar Vrat) rooted in samyaktva (right belief/faith) to navigate the cycle of birth and death. It encourages readers to become vow-holders to be recognized as true Shravaks and Shravikas within the Jain fold.

Key Components of the Book:

Samyaktva Vrat (The Vow of Righteousness/Faith):
- Belief in True God, Guru, and Dharma: This fundamental vow involves believing only in suddhev (pure/true God), suguru (true preceptors), and sudharma (true religion).
- Defining True Deities: It clarifies that true deities (Sudhev) are those who have renounced all attachments (Raga-Dwesha) and attained omniscience (Kevali), free from 18 flaws. It rejects deities associated with worldly desires, weapons, or passions.
- Defining True Gurus: True Gurus (Suguru) are those who follow the teachings of the omniscient and have renounced the world, practicing the five great vows (Mahavratas). It rejects those who act according to their own whims, establish separate sects, or mislead people by focusing solely on one aspect of Jain philosophy (either empirical or absolute).
- Defining True Dharma: True Dharma (Sudharma) is defined as the knowledge and practices that destroy delusion (moha), as taught by the Tirthankaras.
- Associated Rules (Darshanachar - Conduct of Faith): This section details numerous practices to be followed, including daily temple visits (or worshipping idols at home if the temple is far), performing daily puja, offering donations, using a mukha-vastrika (mouth cloth) during puja, wearing appropriate attire, avoiding worldly conversations and improper conduct in the temple, performing special pujas annually, performing chaitya paripaati (circumambulation of temples), making offerings for the upkeep of temples, undertaking pilgrimages, respecting holy places by avoiding spitting or littering, observing dietary restrictions during pilgrimages, and undertaking chhari palit (a form of pilgrimage with specific austerities).
The Twelve Vows (Bar Vrat): The book then systematically explains the twelve vows, which are categorized into two main groups:
- Five Vows of Restraint (Gunavratas): These are the foundational vows for laypeople.
  1. Sthool Pranati-paat Viraman Vrat (Vow to Abstain from Gross Violence): This involves not intentionally harming or killing any living beings, with specific rules about avoiding unnecessary violence, animal cruelty, and practices that harm multiple organisms. It also includes specific guidelines for daily life to minimize violence.
  2. Sthool Mrushavada Viraman Vrat (Vow to Abstain from Gross Untruthfulness): This prohibits lying, cheating, false witness, and other forms of deceit, especially in business and personal dealings.
  3. Sthool Adatta-daan Viraman Vrat (Vow to Abstain from Gross Stealing): This forbids theft, taking things without permission, using false weights and measures, adulteration, and dealing in stolen goods.
  4. Swadara-santosh Vrat (Vow of Contentment with One's Own Spouse): This emphasizes marital fidelity and abstaining from illicit relationships. It includes rules about avoiding lustful thoughts and behavior.
  5. Parigraha Parimana Vrat (Vow of Limited Possession): This involves setting limits on the accumulation of wealth, property, and possessions, with specific guidelines on the quantities of money, grains, land, houses, jewelry, furniture, servants, and animals one can own.
  6. Dishaparimana Vrat (Vow of Limited Direction): This restricts travel to specific distances in various directions, limiting the scope of worldly activities.
  7. Bhoga-upbhoga Viraman Vrat (Vow to Abstain from Excessive Enjoyment): This involves limiting the consumption of consumables and the use of reusable items, encouraging a simpler lifestyle. It lists numerous forbidden items and occupations (karma-daan) that cause harm.
  8. Anartha-dand Viraman Vrat (Vow to Abstain from Useless or Harmful Actions): This prohibits engaging in activities that are not essential for survival and cause harm, such as gambling, certain forms of entertainment, and harmful business practices.
- Four Vows of Training (Shikshavratas): These are progressive vows that enhance the practice of the Gunavratas. 9. Samayika Vrat (Vow of Equanimity/Meditation): This involves observing periods of equanimity and meditation, practicing detachment and concentration. It details the "ten faults of the mind, ten faults of speech, and twelve faults of the body" to be avoided during samayika. 10. Deshavagasika Vrat (Vow of Temporal and Spatial Limitation): This involves further restricting movement and activities within a specific area for a certain period. 11. Paushadha-upvas Vrat (Vow of Fasting and Observance): This involves observing periods of fasting and living like ascetics, abstaining from worldly activities and engaging in spiritual practices. 12. Atithi-samvibhaga Vrat (Vow of Sharing with the Worthy): This is the highest vow for laypeople, involving offering food and essentials to Jain ascetics (Atithi) who are practicing austerities, with strict adherence to rules about what can be offered and when.
Sanyamana Vrat (Vow of Self-Control) / Samlekhana Vrat: The book also touches upon Samlekhana, a vow taken at the end of life to renounce all worldly attachments and desires and prepare for liberation.
Five Categories of Conduct (Panchachar): The text emphasizes the practice of the five acharas as essential for a complete Jain life:
- Gyanachar: Conduct related to knowledge (studying scriptures, listening to discourses).
- Darshanachar: Conduct related to faith (visiting temples, worshipping).
- Charitra-achar: Conduct related to right conduct/asceticism (respecting monks and nuns, serving them).
- Tapachar: Conduct related to austerities (fasting, self-discipline).
- Veeryachar: Conduct related to energy and effort (applying oneself diligently to religious practices).
Five Faults to Avoid in Samyaktva: The book lists five faults that undermine samyaktva: Shanka (doubt), Akanksha (desire for other paths), Vichikitsa (disgust), Mithyadarshani-gunastuti (praising the virtues of the wrong path), and Mithyadarshani-parichaya (associating with the wrong path).
Five Qualities of Samyaktva: Conversely, it highlights five qualities that strengthen samyaktva: Prasham (calmness), Samveg (spiritual longing), Nirved (disgust for worldly life), Anukampa (compassion), and Nishankitata (fearlessness/faith).
Detailed Rules and Practices: The book provides practical guidance with checkboxes (✔ for acceptable, ✖ for not acceptable) for each vow, outlining numerous specific rules for daily life, dietary restrictions, social conduct, and spiritual practices.
Rituals and Prayers: It includes instructions for various rituals like Guruvandan (obeisance to the Guru), Chaitya-vandan (worship of idols), and the Navangi Puja (worship of the nine limbs of the Jina) and Ashta-prakari Puja (eight-fold worship). It also provides the text for common Jain prayers and verses like Irriavahia, Logas, and Namosthutaranam.
Daily Pledge: The book concludes with a section on "General Rules Useful for Purity of Life," offering daily pledges and observances for Shravaks and Shravikas, reinforcing the commitment to the vows and Jain principles.

In essence, "Samyaktva Mul Bar Vrat" serves as a comprehensive manual for Jain lay followers, detailing the path to a righteous life through the systematic understanding and practice of samyaktva and the twelve vows, supported by the five acharas and a commitment to ethical conduct and spiritual development.