Sargam

Here's a comprehensive summary in English of the provided Jain text, "Sargam" by Rajyashsuri, focusing on the spiritual practices and their significance:

Book Title: Sargam (meaning "Rhythm" or "Scale" in this context, referring to the sequence of sacred verses) Author: Rajyashsuri Publisher: Rajyashsuriji (referring to the author's monastic lineage) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/008934/1

This document, likely a preface or introductory chapter to a book, expounds on the significance of essential Jain practices for lay followers (Shravaks). The author, Rajyashsuri, expresses immense joy and a desire to awaken interest in these practices, especially among the youth, to enrich their lives with spiritual bliss.

The core of the text delves into the meaning and importance of various sacred verses (Sutras) used in Jain worship, particularly in Chaityavandan (worship of the temple and deities), Gurovandan (veneration of spiritual teachers), and Samayik (equanimity practice).

Key Concepts and Sutras Discussed:

• Chaityavandan (Temple Worship):

  • Fundamental Importance: Chaityavandan is highlighted as a crucial ritual for a Shravak's life, fostering deep contemplation.
  • Khama-saman Sutra: This verse is identified as the root of Vinaya (humility and respect), which is considered the foundation of dharma.
  • "Martyaen Vandami": This phrase is described as an "amrit-kund" (nectar-well) of humility.
  • Iriyavahiyam Sutra: This sutra is presented as a means to reveal the inherent divinity or "Siddhahood" within oneself.
  • Namutthyun Sutra (Shakrastav Sutra): This is considered exceptionally important. Even though it's a praise of Indra (the king of deities), it is essential for the study and recitation by monks, nuns, and ascetics. It signifies that devotion offers a joy even greater than sensual pleasures in the celestial realms.
  • Friendship with all beings: The sutra is seen as a beautiful starting point for fostering a friendly attitude towards all living beings.
  • Self-Remembrance: The text emphasizes the necessity of maintaining "I am the Soul" remembrance in every action. This self-awareness arises from Pratikraman (repentance), which is deeply embedded in the Iriyavahiyam Sutra, leading to a resolution to be Apramatta (vigilant).
  • "Tassa Uttari" Sutra: This sutra helps one ascend the path of liberation, moving away from the "mountain of sinful activities."
  • "Anantya" Sutra: This verse sheds light on the science of the body, leading to self-knowledge, and instills a resolution to stabilize the mind's fickleness and control speech with silence.
  • Devotion to Tirthankaras: The text notes that deities are considered more significant than humans in devotional practices towards Tirthankaras. However, it also equates Chaityavandan for a right-seeing human (Samyak-drishti) with experiencing heavenly bliss, calling it a "heaven created on earth."
  • "Lalit Vistara" text: The interpretation of the Namutthyun Sutra in this text suggests it contains solutions for all worldly philosophers and describes the glorious form of the "Siddha state" alongside the Tirthankaras.
  • "Shivam-Ayalam-Aruam-Ashantam-Akkhayam-Avyabaham" Sutra: This sutra conveys the message of purifying the mind of wavering thoughts through the fire of meditation.
  • Logas Sutra: The "Namastav Sutra-Logas Sutra" awakens one to the state of being "nameless" through the praise of Tirthankara names.
  • "Siddha Siddhi Mam Disantu": This proclamation reminds us of our right to liberation. The text encourages persistently seeking only liberation until it is attained, emphasizing that it will surely be achieved.
  • Description of Siddhas: The verses describe the Siddhas (liberated souls) as possessing unique, glorious forms, and the act of reciting these verses can lead to an entry into the world of Siddhas, resulting in a wave of bliss.

• Gurovandan (Veneration of Spiritual Teachers):

  • Inseparable Connection: The text stresses the unavoidable connection between the "world-teacher" (Guru) and the Supreme Soul (Parmatma).
  • Guru as Transmitter: The Guru is likened to a transmitter of power, receiving the divine light from the "powerhouse" (Parmatma) and distributing it. The Guru has the capability to remove darkness by imparting light and knowledge.
  • Significance of Guru's Grace: The Guru's grace is essential for attaining the Supreme Soul. The text emphasizes that even a seemingly ordinary Guru can bestow immense blessings, as exemplified by Dronacharya's grace upon Eklavya. True discipleship can receive grace from nature itself if a true Guru is found.
  • Humility and Submission: Gurus are to be approached with humility, reflected in one's posture, voice, conduct, and speech. The text quotes the Shree Dashavaikalik Sutra, advising to bow to the Guru, sit at a lower seat, and speak softly.
  • Guru's Role in Spiritual Growth: Gurus are instrumental in unfolding inner vision and removing ignorance. The text encourages a disciple's complete surrender, like a child to its mother, acknowledging the Guru's knowledge of the disciple's shortcomings and circumstances.
  • Veneration of Guru's Image: If direct interaction is not possible, veneration before a Guru's image or photograph is also prescribed.
  • Guru Tatva in Navkar Mantra: The Navkar Mantra dedicates three verses to the Guru Tatva (principle of the Guru), highlighting its threefold importance: Acharya (discipline and understanding the world's secrets), Upadhyaya (masters of scriptural knowledge), and Sadhu (practice that manifests the secrets of both).
  • Guru's Honor is Liberation: The text quotes Acharya Haribhadra Suri, stating that honoring the Guru is liberation itself. The path to internalizing the Guru's virtues is through proper veneration, which fosters immense joy.
  • Guru's Blessings: Dedicating one's all to the Guru and seeking their approval for every endeavor can lead to experiencing liberation in this very life.
  • Guru within: The text suggests that the Guru and the Divine are also within us, and external Gurus and Deities help awaken our inner counterparts.

• Samayik (Practice of Equanimity):

  • The Practice: Samayik is described as a great spiritual discipline involving abstaining from harmful actions (Savadyayog) and maintaining a steady posture for approximately 48 minutes.
  • Beyond Time Passing: It's not merely a way to pass time but a practice to internalize vows of not committing or causing sin through mind, speech, or body.
  • Analysis of Thoughts: True Samayik requires introspection and analysis of thoughts to detach from all sinful actions.
  • Renouncing Harmful Intent: The practice is about abandoning the cycle of harming others, even in thoughts. Our joys are often linked to the suffering of others, and Samayik leads to the contemplation of one's pure soul.
  • Detachment and Eternal Self: Just as attractive scenes on TV or piles of money can make us forget worldly worries, Samayik should facilitate detachment and contemplation of the eternal soul.
  • "Aatma Pasyupasana": The author suggests calling Samayik "Aatma Pasyupasana" (worship of the Self) instead of just Samayik to imbue it with deeper meaning.
  • Benefits of Samayik: Engaging in Samayik should lead to an increase in the soul's capital of knowledge, perception, and conduct, fostering qualities like forgiveness, humility, simplicity, and contentment.
  • Gateway to Omniscience: The 48 minutes of Samayik are presented as a prelude to the manifestation of infinite omniscience (Kevaljnana). Samayik is the "studio" that captures this vision in the mind's "camera."
  • Symbolism of 48 Minutes: This duration symbolically represents the 48 Tirthankaras of Bharat Kshetra in one Kalchakra.
  • Understanding Time: Samayik helps in observing the flow of time peacefully and evaluating it correctly. Attachment to worldly pleasures makes time seem short, while aversion makes it seem long. True understanding of time comes through equanimity.
  • Transcending the World: Samayik is a unique practice of connecting with the intangible realm, free from sound, form, taste, smell, and touch. A Shravak engaging in Samayik can attain the joy of a monk.
  • Repeated Practice: The text urges Shravaks to perform Samayik frequently for this blissful, self-experiential journey.
  • Holistic Purification: Samayik is not just a ritual but a purification of the entire mental system, leading to a detachment from the material world and a recognition of the soul in all beings.
  • Living a Blessed Life: By understanding the meaning, intent, and essence of these verses, a Shravak's life will be blessed.

Conclusion:

The preface concludes with a strong aspiration that through the practices of Chaityavandan, Gurovandan, and Samayik, the soul can awaken its divine and Guru-like powers, ultimately achieving infinite liberation (Siddhatva) and the state of supreme non-attachment (Vitragata). The author blesses the readers with this aspiration and the achievement of supreme Vitragata.