Sarviyadhyana

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sarviyadhyana" by Shubhachandra Acharya, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Sarviyadhyana (સવીર્યધ્યાન) Author: Shubhachandra Acharya (શુભચંદ્રાચાર્ય) Translator: Virchand Raghavji Gandhi (વીરચંદ રાઘવજી ગાંધી) Commentary: Anandnandan - Lalan (આનંદનંદન – લાલન) Editor: Pannalal R. Shah (પન્નાલાલ આર. શાહ) Publisher: Jain Associations of India, Mumbai (ધી જૈન એસોસિએશન ઑફ ઈન્ડિયા, મુંબઈ)

Overall Purpose and Content:

"Sarviyadhyana" is presented as a significant chapter from the larger Jain text "Jnanaarnav" (જ્ઞાનાર્ણવ) by Acharya Shubhachandra. The book itself is an important publication by the Jain Association of India, Mumbai, aiming to bring this valuable spiritual discourse to a wider audience. The text delves deeply into the practice of meditation (Dhyana) from a Jain perspective, emphasizing the concept of "Savīrya Dhyana" which translates to "meditation with vital energy" or "potent meditation."

Key Themes and Sections:

The provided pages offer insights into the book's structure, its publication history, and the core philosophical underpinnings of the meditation discussed.

1. Historical Context and Publication:

   • The book is presented as a re-publication, with the first edition dating back to 1903. This current edition (second edition) was published in April 1989, coinciding with the 125th birth anniversary of the esteemed Jain scholar and leader, Shri Virchand Raghavji Gandhi, who translated this work.
   • The editor, Pannalal R. Shah, expresses his gratitude to various Jain institutions and individuals for their support in bringing this work to light, highlighting the effort involved in rediscovering and preparing this valuable manuscript. He notes that he found a printed copy unexpectedly, emphasizing the need to preserve such texts from being lost to time.

2. The Role of Virchand Raghavji Gandhi:

   • The publication places significant emphasis on the contributions of Virchand Raghavji Gandhi, not only as the translator of Shubhachandra Acharya's work but also for his broader role in promoting Jainism and Indian culture on a global scale. His participation in the Parliament of World Religions in Chicago (1893) and his extensive lectures in America and Europe are highlighted as crucial efforts in spreading Jain philosophy.

3. The Nature of "Savīrya Dhyana":

   • The core of the text focuses on the profound practice of meditation. It is presented as a means to achieve spiritual liberation and self-realization.

   • "Dhyana Pratigya Prarambh" (First Chapter: Beginning of the Vow of Meditation): This chapter lays the foundation for the meditative journey. It begins by posing fundamental questions about the self ("Who am I?") and the forces that bind us ("Who has trapped me?").

     • Self-Reflection and Realization: The text uses metaphors like the lotus flower to describe the inherent, infinite qualities of the soul (Jiva). It emphasizes that despite possessing infinite knowledge, perception, strength, and bliss, the soul gets entangled by karmic forces.
     • The Nature of Karma and Delusion: The commentary powerfully illustrates how the soul, through delusion (Maya) and attachment (Raga), creates its own bondage. It draws parallels to the story of a rabbit being trapped by its own environment and the psychological impact of greed and attachment, as exemplified by the story of a hunter's snare.
     • Overcoming Negative States: The text addresses states like anger, pride, deceit, greed, attachment, and aversion, explaining how these are the "enemies" that need to be conquered through potent meditation. It suggests a process of gradual detachment from external objects and the cultivation of inner awareness.
     • The True Self: A central theme is the realization of the true, eternal, and blissful nature of the soul, which is distinct from the body and other material possessions. The text stresses that this ultimate truth is realized through introspection and inner contemplation.
     • The Goal of Meditation: The ultimate goal is to shed the karmic coverings (karma), break free from the cycle of birth and death (samsara), and attain the state of liberation (Moksha), realizing the soul's inherent divine nature.

   • "Dhyeya Swaroop Prarambh" (Second Chapter: Beginning of the Nature of the Object of Meditation): This chapter delves into what should be meditated upon.

     • The Six Substances (Dravyas): It introduces the six fundamental Jain substances (Jiva, Ajiva, Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Kala, and Pudgala) as objects of contemplation. The focus is on understanding their distinct natures and interactions.
     • The Ideal Objects of Meditation: The text identifies Arihants (pure souls who have conquered all karmas and are embodied) and Siddhas (liberated souls residing in the highest realm) as the ultimate objects of meditation. Meditating on Arihants is considered more accessible due to their embodied form, while meditation on Siddhas (who are formless) requires a higher level of spiritual development.
     • The Process of Attaining the State of Siddha: The text outlines a path from external awareness (Bahirātmā) to internal awareness (Antarātmā) and finally to the realization of the Supreme Self (Paramātmā). This journey involves self-reflection, detachment from external desires, and the gradual shedding of karmic impurities.
     • The Nature of the Supreme Self (Paramātmā): The Paramātmā is described as formless yet all-pervading, eternal, blissful, all-knowing, all-perceiving, and the ultimate source of liberation and peace. The text uses analogies to explain this ineffable state.

4. Philosophical and Psychological Aspects:

   • The text touches upon psychological concepts, describing the states of the mind (e.g., agitated, distracted, concentrated, absorbed) and how meditation helps to control and refine these mental states.
   • It distinguishes between external practices and the internal transformation that is the true essence of spiritual discipline.
   • The importance of right perspective and understanding the true nature of reality, as opposed to mere intellectual knowledge, is emphasized.

5. Commentary and Editor's Contribution:

   • The commentary by Anandnandan and Lalan provides explanations and elaborations on the verses of Shubhachandra Acharya, making the profound concepts more accessible.
   • The editor, Pannalal R. Shah, has further enhanced the text with comparative studies and editorial insights, enriching its academic and spiritual value.

In essence, "Sarviyadhyana" is a spiritual guide that aims to lead the practitioner through a structured path of meditation, starting from self-inquiry and moving towards the realization of the highest spiritual state by understanding the true nature of the soul, the impact of karma, and the essence of the liberated soul. It serves as a call to action for Jains to engage in deeper spiritual practices and to uphold the teachings of their lineage.