Samyaktva Parakram 02

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Samyaktva Parakram 02" (The Second Part of the Mighty Effort of Right Faith), authored by Jawaharlal Acharya and Shobhachad Bharilla, and published by Jawahar Sahitya Samiti Bhinasar. This particular volume focuses on the fifth discourse (Bol) from the twenty-sixth chapter titled "Samyaktva Parakram" of the Shrimad Uttaradhyayana Sutra. The summary covers the discourses from the fifth to the twentieth vol.

The book is presented as the sixth "Kiran" (ray) in the "Shri Jawahar Kiranavali" series, dedicated to the discourses of the revered Acharya Shri 1008 Shri Jawaharlal Ji.

Overall Theme:

The central theme of this section of "Samyaktva Parakram" is the meticulous examination and explanation of various aspects of spiritual practice and conduct essential for achieving samyaktva (right faith) and ultimately, liberation (moksha). The discourses emphasize the importance of introspection, confession, self-criticism, equanimity, devotion, confession of faults, scriptural study, and the underlying principles of Jain ethics.

Summary of Key Discourses (Bols):

• Fifth Bol: Alochana (Confession/Self-Criticism)

  • Core Message: The discourse highlights the profound benefits of Alochana, which involves confessing one's faults and wrongdoings to a qualified spiritual guide.
  • Benefits: It cleanses the heart, removing impurities like deceit, false beliefs (mithyatva), and desires for specific outcomes (nidan). This leads to sincerity (ujju-bhav), preventing the formation of harmful karmic bonds (like stri-ved and napunsak-ved) and aiding in the shedding of past karmas.
  • Emphasis: Sincerity, clarity, and the absence of deceit are crucial for effective Alochana. The importance of choosing the right preceptor for confession is also stressed. The discourse uses analogies like cleaning a house during Diwali and the analogy of a child's innocent confession to illustrate the purity and necessity of Alochana.
  • Types of Alochana: The text distinguishes between naam-alochana (mentioning the name), sthapana-alochana (establishing it in writing or practice), dravya-alochana (superficial confession), and bhava-alochana (confession with genuine remorse and intention to correct). True Alochana is bhava-alochana.
  • Consequences of Concealing Faults: Concealing wrongdoings exacerbates their karmic consequences.

• Sixth Bol: Atmaninda (Self-Condemnation/Self-Reproach)

  • Core Message: Following Alochana, Atmaninda is essential for making the confession effective. It involves acknowledging one's failures and shortcomings internally.
  • Benefits: It leads to paschattap (remorse), which in turn cultivates vairagya (dispassion). This dispassion helps in attaining apoorva-karan (a state of continuous spiritual progress) and ultimately leads to the destruction of mohanīya karma (delusion-inducing karma).
  • Distinction from Parininda: The discourse strongly distinguishes Atmaninda (self-condemnation) from parininda (criticizing others). It argues that the energy spent on criticizing others should be redirected towards self-reflection and self-criticism.
  • Analogies: The text uses the analogy of a mirror to see oneself, contrasting it with the tendency to see others' faults. It also employs the analogy of a serpent's dual tongue to highlight the inconsistency of having different thoughts, words, and actions, emphasizing the need for unity between mind, speech, and action.
  • The example of Dhritarashtra is used to illustrate the devastating consequences of harboring ill intentions and concealing them, leading to immense suffering.

• Seventh Bol: Garha (Self-Reproach/Self-Abasement)

  • Core Message: Garha is presented as a deeper form of self-criticism, involving a public or internal humbling of oneself in acknowledgment of faults, often to earn apuraskara-bhav (a state of wanting to be seen as lowly or unappreciated, rather than praised).
  • Benefits: It leads to apuraskara-bhav, the opposite of seeking praise (puraskara-bhav). This detachment from seeking validation prevents the generation of negative emotions and allows the soul to progress towards prasasta yoga (auspicious conduct) and ultimately, liberation.
  • Distinction from Ninda: While ninda (self-condemnation) is primarily internal, garha can involve a more outward expression of self-abasement, often before a guru or spiritual community, to avoid seeking praise and to foster humility.
  • Emphasis: The discourse stresses the importance of humility and the detachment from worldly recognition. It highlights that true garha is done with the intention of avoiding future transgressions and fostering a desire for genuine spiritual merit, not for earning false praise or sympathy.
  • Examples: The story of King Harishchandra is used to illustrate profound self-sacrifice for truth, which is linked to the ultimate goal of self-purification and avoiding ātma-patan (downfall of the soul).

• Eighth Bol: Samayika (Equanimity/Meditation)

  • Core Message: Samayika is described as the practice of cultivating equanimity towards all beings and phenomena. It is the foundation for all other virtues.
  • Benefits: It leads to the cessation of savadh yoga (sinful activities) by fostering samabhava (equanimity). True samayika involves maintaining equanimity even in the face of adverse situations or provocations.
  • Importance of Samabhava: The discourse argues that samabhava is not a hindrance to worldly affairs but rather the foundation for them. It contrasts the idea of "might is right" with the Jain principle that true well-being comes from equanimity.
  • Cultivating Samayika: It emphasizes consistent practice and developing a mental state where one does not react negatively to insults or adversity, viewing them as opportunities to strengthen one's equanimity. The example of a soldier practicing marksmanship is used to illustrate the need for consistent practice in developing equanimity.
  • Distinction from Mere Ritual: The text cautions against performing samayika mechanically without genuine equanimity, which would be mere ritual and devoid of true spiritual benefit.

• Ninth Bol: Chaturvishati-stavan (Praise of the Twenty-Four Tirthankaras)

  • Core Message: The discourse emphasizes the significance of praising and remembering the Twenty-Four Tirthankaras.
  • Benefits: It leads to darshan-vishuddhi (purity of right faith). This purity strengthens one's resolve and protects them from being swayed by external influences, even from celestial beings.
  • Types of Stavan: The text mentions various forms of praise, including naam-stavan (praise by name), sthāpanā-stavan (praise through images or symbols), dravya-stavan (praise of the physical form or relics), and bhāva-stavan (praise of their virtues and teachings). It clarifies that true praise is bhāva-stavan.
  • The example of Indra's praise is used to illustrate the depth and respect accorded to the Tirthankaras, urging devotees to emulate such sincere devotion.
  • Emphasis on Bhava: The importance of performing stavan with genuine devotion and the right intention (bhava) is highlighted. Acknowledging the Tirthankaras' teachings and emulating their path is the essence of true praise.

• Tenth Bol: Vandana (Salutation/Adoration)

  • Core Message: The practice of Vandana (respectful salutation) towards spiritual preceptors and the Tirthankaras is explained.
  • Benefits: It leads to the shedding of neech-gotra karma (lower status karmas) and the accumulation of uchcha-gotra karma (higher status karmas), resulting in a favorable rebirth. It also bestows good fortune, pleasant speech, obedience from others, and the quality of dakshin-bhav (consideration and generosity).
  • Ritualistic Purity: The discourse meticulously details the prescribed rituals for Vandana, including the correct posture, distance from the preceptor, specific mantras, and the importance of sincerity and humility. It outlines the 25 essential components of Vandana.
  • Understanding Gotra: The concept of gotra is explained not just by birth but also by one's conduct and adherence to virtuous principles, emphasizing that virtuous actions can elevate one's status.
  • The importance of sincerity in Vandana is stressed, warning against performing it merely as a formality or for worldly gain.

• Eleventh Bol: Pratikramana (Self-Correction/Repentance)

  • Core Message: Pratikramana is the process of retracing one's steps from a deviation and returning to the correct spiritual path. It is a vital practice for correcting faults and purifying oneself.
  • Benefits: It helps mend lapses in vows (atikara) and rectifies deviations from the right path (par-sthana). It leads to niruddhasrava (cessation of influx of karmas) and the adoption of asaval charitra (pure conduct), enabling the practitioner to follow the eight foundational principles of Jainism (pancha-samiti and tri-gupti).
  • Analogy: The text uses the analogy of a leaky boat needing repair to illustrate the necessity of Pratikramana to fix flaws in one's spiritual practice. It also compares it to a clock needing winding to keep running correctly.
  • The importance of sincerity: The discourse stresses that Pratikramana should be performed with genuine remorse and the intention to avoid future faults, not just as a ritual.

• Twelfth Bol: Kayotsarga (Abandonment of the Body/Non-attachment to the Body)

  • Core Message: Kayotsarga involves detaching oneself from the physical body and its concerns, not through physical destruction, but through mental detachment.
  • Benefits: It helps purify past and present transgressions through prayaschitta (penance) and leads to a state of peace and detachment (nirvibhritachitta). This leads to blissful existence in this life and the next, ultimately paving the way for liberation.
  • Types of Kayotsarga: The text distinguishes between yaavajjeevan kayotsarga (lifelong abandonment of bodily attachment, undertaken under duress or voluntarily) and temporary kayotsarga.
  • Emphasis on Mindset: The true meaning of Kayotsarga lies in mental detachment, not physical self-harm. It's about cultivating an attitude of indifference towards physical comfort or discomfort, pain or pleasure, while remaining steadfast in one's spiritual goals.
  • The example of Sudarshan Shravak is used to illustrate how one can maintain equanimity and detachment even when faced with severe bodily harm.

• Thirteenth Bol: Pratyakhyana (Renunciation/Abstinence)

  • Core Message: Pratyakhyana is the practice of making vows and abstaining from certain actions, both gross and subtle, to curb desires and prevent the influx of new karmas.
  • Benefits: It leads to the cessation of karmic influx (asrava-dwar) and the control of desires (ichcha-nirodh). This leads to freedom from attachment to worldly possessions (trishna) and a state of peaceful existence.
  • Connection to Mulgunas and Uttargunas: It emphasizes the importance of both basic vows (mulgunas) and secondary observances (uttargunas) for true renunciation.
  • The importance of sincerity: The text cautions against making vows with ulterior motives or without genuine intention, as this can lead to hypocrisy and a lack of true spiritual progress.
  • Mahatma Gandhi's example is cited to highlight how renunciation, even of seemingly minor things, can lead to significant spiritual strength and liberation from temptations.

• Fourteenth Bol: Stav-Stutimaṅgala (Praise and Auspicious Chants)

  • Core Message: The discourse highlights the power of praise and auspicious chanting (stav-stuti) for spiritual advancement.
  • Benefits: It leads to the acquisition of jnana, darshana, and charitra (right knowledge, right perception, and right conduct), which are the cornerstones of Jainism. This leads to a favorable rebirth in higher realms (kalpa-vimana) and ultimately, liberation.
  • Types of Praise: It explains the difference between stav (formal praise with prescribed structure) and stuti (spontaneous praise expressing heartfelt devotion).
  • The example of Indra's praise of the Tirthankaras underscores the deep reverence and the structured approach to devotional singing.
  • The importance of Bhava (inner feeling): The text stresses that the sincerity of devotion (bhava) is more important than the external form of praise or the grandeur of the praise. Even simple, heartfelt praise is more impactful than elaborate but insincere rituals.

• Fifteenth Bol: Kalapratilekhana (Timely Consideration/Planning)

  • Core Message: This discourse emphasizes the importance of aligning spiritual practices with appropriate times (kala) and seasons.
  • Benefits: Performing activities like scriptural study (swadhyaya) at the right time leads to the shedding of karmas, particularly jnana-avaraniya karma (knowledge-obscuring karma).
  • Understanding Time: The text delves into the concept of time as a relative and objective phenomenon, highlighting its influence on all actions and practices. It discusses various ways of understanding time, including its role in scheduling religious observances like Pakhali and Samvatsari.
  • The importance of Jita-vyavahar (customary practice): It acknowledges that while scriptural injunctions are paramount, adapting practices to the practical realities of the times, as decided by the monastic council (Jita-vyavahar), is also important for maintaining the relevance and continuity of traditions.
  • Avoiding Misinterpretations: The discourse warns against misinterpreting or misapplying scriptural injunctions regarding time, using the example of a traveler in a different time zone to illustrate the need for practical consideration.

• Sixteenth Bol: Prayaschitta (Penance/Atonement)

  • Core Message: Prayaschitta is the process of expiating faults and purifying oneself after committing transgressions, especially those related to vows and conduct.
  • Benefits: It leads to the purification of sins (pap-vishuddhi), the removal of faults in vows (niratiyara), and the purification of one's path (magga) and its fruits (phal). It enables the practitioner to uphold virtuous conduct (charitra) and progress towards liberation.
  • Types of Prayaschitta: The text distinguishes between different forms, including naam-prayaschitta (mentioning the fault), sthāpanā-prayaschitta (establishing the fault in practice), dravya-prayaschitta (physical penance for show), and bhava-prayaschitta (internal repentance and commitment to change). True Prayaschitta is bhava-prayaschitta.
  • The Gandhi Example: The discourse uses the example of Mahatma Gandhi's interaction with Christian missionaries to highlight the Jain perspective: one should strive to avoid the act of sin (pāpa-vritti) rather than just seeking to avoid the consequences of sin (pāpa-phal).
  • Responsibility for Actions: It emphasizes personal accountability for one's actions, rejecting the idea of merely blaming external factors or deities for one's misfortunes.

• Seventeenth Bol: Kshama-panā (Forgiveness)

  • Core Message: Kshama-pana is the practice of seeking and granting forgiveness, fostering goodwill and eliminating animosity.
  • Benefits: It leads to prasaṅnata (joy/contentment) in the heart, cultivates maitrī-bhav (friendship) towards all beings, and ultimately leads to nirbhaya-tva (fearlessness) and purity of mind (bhava-vishuddhi).
  • Sincere Forgiveness: The discourse stresses that forgiveness must be genuine and from the heart. It differentiates between superficial forgiveness (done for ritual or social reasons) and true forgiveness, which involves letting go of all resentment.
  • The example of King Udaiyn and Chandrapal illustrates the power of genuine forgiveness and the transformative impact it can have on relationships and the perpetrator's conscience.
  • Importance of Self-Reflection: The text urges individuals to first examine their own faults before seeking to forgive others, emphasizing the principle of introspection.

• Eighteenth Bol: Swadhyaya (Self-Study/Scriptural Study)

  • Core Message: Swadhyaya is the diligent and earnest study of scriptures, aiming for spiritual understanding and the eradication of ignorance.
  • Benefits: It leads to the destruction of jnana-avaraniya karma (knowledge-obscuring karma) and other karmas, thereby revealing the true nature of the soul (atma-darshan). It fosters inner purity and a connection with the divine.
  • Types of Swadhyaya: The text outlines five types: vachana (reading), prichchhana (questioning), parivartana (recitation/recollection), anu-preksha (contemplation), and dharma-katha (religious discourse).
  • Importance of Guru and Bhava: The discourse highlights the necessity of learning from a qualified guru and studying with sincere devotion (bhava). It stresses that the true benefit of Swadhyaya comes from internalizing the teachings and not just from rote memorization.
  • Analogy: The analogy of a farmer sowing seeds in fertile soil is used to illustrate the importance of preparing one's mind (bhava) for effective Swadhyaya.

• Nineteenth Bol: Vachana (Recitation/Discourse)

  • Core Message: Vachana is the process of reciting and explaining scriptures, ensuring the transmission and understanding of spiritual knowledge.
  • Benefits: It leads to the reduction of karmas (nirjara), the preservation and propagation of the teachings (ana-satana and srijana of sutras), and the continuation of the Tirthankaras' path (tirth-dharma).
  • The role of the Guru: The importance of a learned and virtuous guru in delivering Vachana is emphasized, along with the disciple's role in receiving it with devotion and sincerity.
  • The example of the farmer and seeds illustrates how knowledge, like seeds, must be cultivated and shared to yield a harvest.
  • The legacy of Ganadharas: The text acknowledges the foundational role of the Ganadharas (chief disciples of Tirthankaras) in transmitting the scriptures and emphasizes the continuation of this tradition through Vachana.

• Twentieth Bol: Pratipruchhana (Inquiry/Questioning)

  • Core Message: Pratipruchhana is the practice of asking questions and seeking clarification on scriptural teachings, thereby resolving doubts and deepening understanding.
  • Benefits: It leads to the purification of the sutra (scriptural text), artha (meaning), and their combined essence (sutrartha), and helps in the destruction of kanksha-mohanīya karma (doubt-inducing delusion karma).
  • The importance of Curiosity: The discourse encourages intellectual curiosity and the active pursuit of knowledge, contrasting it with passive acceptance or doubt.
  • Analogy: The analogy of a jeweler examining a gem is used to illustrate the process of meticulous inquiry to understand the true value and essence of teachings.
  • Distinction from mere doubt: The text differentiates between constructive inquiry (jigyasa) aimed at understanding and unproductive doubt (kanksha) that leads to stagnation.

Publisher's Notes:

The preface highlights the enduring relevance of Acharya Shri Jawaharlal Ji's discourses, characterized by their simplicity and profound solutions to life's problems. It also mentions the ongoing efforts to republish previously unavailable "Kirans" and the committee's commitment to making spiritual literature accessible despite rising costs. Financial support for the second edition is acknowledged from a devotee.

Fair Use Declaration:

The initial pages include a Fair Use Declaration from "The Free Indological Collection" of www.sanskritdocuments.org, stating that the book is provided for educational and research purposes under Fair Use guidelines, believing it to be in the public domain.

This detailed summary provides a comprehensive overview of the content and spiritual insights offered in "Samyaktva Parakram 02."