Shatkhandagama Pustak 03

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shatkhandagama Pustak 03," focusing on the "Dravya Pramana Anugama" section, based on the provided text:

Book Title: Shatkhandagama Pustak 03 (सट्खंडागमः पुस्तक ०३) Author(s): Pushpadant, Bhutbali, Hiralal Jain, Fulchandra Jain Shastri, Devkinandan, A N Upadhye Publisher: Jain Sahityoddharak Fund Karyalay Amravati Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/001397/1

Overview:

This volume, the third of the Shatkhandagama, is titled "Dravya Pramana Anugama" (द्रव्यप्रमाणानुगमः). It is a comprehensive study of the enumeration and quantification of souls (Jivas) across various spiritual stages (Gunasthanas) and existential modes (Marganasthanas) within the Jain cosmology. The text is presented with the Dhavala commentary of Virasena, and this particular volume is an extensively edited work by Hiralal Jain, with contributions from other scholars like Fulchandra Siddhanta Shastri and Dr. A. N. Upadhye. The volume highlights the cooperation with the Moodbidri authorities, the collation of ancient palm-leaf manuscripts, and delves into significant aspects of Jain philosophy, mathematics, and history.

Key Themes and Sections:

1. Introduction (Prastavana/Introduction):

   • Cooperation and Manuscript Collation: The introduction emphasizes the significant cooperation received from the pontifical seat at Moodbidri, which houses ancient palm-leaf manuscripts of this unique work. This cooperation led to the collation of these manuscripts with the published text, resolving many textual variants and confirming previous editorial principles. It notes the discovery of two more incomplete palm-leaf manuscripts of the Dhavala, which are valuable for accurate text constitution.
   • Contents of Mahadhavala: The Mahadhavala manuscript is identified as containing "Sattakamma Panchika" (सत्कर्मपंचिका परिचय) and the "Mahabandha" (महाबंध परिचय), the latter presumed to be by Acharya Bhutabali himself.
   • Subject Matter of the Volume: The core subject is the enumeration of souls in the fourteen spiritual stages (Gunasthanas) and in the different soul-qu ests (Margaṇāsthānas). These quantities are calculated in terms of infinite (Ananta), innumerable (Asamkhyāta), and numerable (Samkhyāta). The text illustrates these with arithmetic examples, often using the total living creation as 16 units.
   • Scientific Importance: The volume's scientific importance lies in the Jaina attempt to precisely quantify the distribution of souls, showcasing the advanced mathematical knowledge of ancient India, including concepts of infinity, orders of infinity, arithmetic operations, powers, roots, and possibly logarithms.
   • Other Topics: The introduction also touches upon the history of Moodbidri, the Northern and Southern Schools of thought (Uttara Pratipatti and Dakshina Pratipatti), and a discussion on the authorship and eternality of the Namokara Mantra. It also addresses various reader questions and their solutions, clarifying textual and theoretical points.

2. Dravya Pramana Anugama (द्रव्यप्रमाणानुगम - Subject Matter):

   • Origin: The section traces the origin of this specific discourse to the "Karma Prakriti Pahuda" (कर्मप्रकृति पाहुड) or "Vedana Kritsna Pahuda" (वेदनाकृत्स्न पाहुड), specifically from its "Bandhana" (बंधन) chapter, which describes four types of bondage: Prakriti, Sthiti, Anubhaga, and Pradesha. The "Dravya Pramana" (द्रव्यप्रमाण) section within the "Bandhaka" (बंधक) chapter is the direct source.
   • Pramana ( the Standard of Measurement): The text explains that the quantification of living beings is based on four aspects: Dravya (substance/quantity), Kala (time), Kshetra (space), and Bhava (state/quality).
   • Dravya Pramana (Quantity of Substance): This is categorized into Sankhyata (numerable), Asamkhyata (innumerable), and Ananta (infinite). The text elaborates on the intricate subdivisions and calculations within each category, demonstrating a sophisticated understanding of numerical concepts and infinities. It defines 'sankhyata' as related to the five senses, 'asamkhyata' to clairvoyant knowledge, and 'ananta' to omniscience. The text further details the classification of Asamkhyata into parita (limited innumerable), yukta (joined innumerable), and asamkhyata (unjoined innumerable), each with further subdivisions.
   • Kala Pramana (Time Measurement): It defines time units from Paramāṇu (atom of time) to Āvali (a very short unit of time), Uccvāsa (breath), Stoka, Lava, Nāḷi, Muhūrta, Ahōrātra (day), and larger cycles.
   • Kshetra Pramana (Space Measurement): This section details the Jaina concept of Lokākāśa (space of the universe) and its subdivisions into divisions, islands (dvipas), oceans (samudras), and measures like Angula (finger-breadth), Yojanam (a unit of distance), Rushaka, Rājju (a vast unit of length), and Lokākasā itself. It explains the intricate methods of calculating these vast spatial dimensions.
   • Bhava Pramana (State/Quality): It states that Bhava Pramana is the knowledge of Dravya, Kala, and Kshetra Pramana.

3. Enumeration of Souls by Gunasthana and Marganasthana:

   • Gunasthana (Spiritual Stages): The text quantifies souls in each of the 14 Gunasthanas. It uses numerical approximations, often referring to figures derived from Pālyopama (a vast time unit) and its subdivisions, to illustrate the distribution. For example, it mentions that the majority of souls are in the first stage (Mithyātvins, often represented as 13 out of 16 total beings).
   • Marganasthana (Existential Quests): It quantifies souls across 63 categories falling under the 14 Margaṇāsthānas (like the path of life, senses, physical bodies, passions, knowledge, conduct, etc.). The text aims to provide a numerical understanding of souls in each of these pathways, often using the same framework of Ananta, Asamkhyata, and Sankhyata. The text provides tables illustrating these calculations.

4. Mathematics and its Characteristics:

   • Puspadanta and Bhutabali's Mathematical Knowledge: The foundational Sutras contain sophisticated mathematical concepts, including calculations up to Koti (crore) and beyond, understanding of infinity, and operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, square roots, and cubes.
   • Viraseana's Commentary (Dhavala): The Dhavala commentary significantly amplifies this mathematical knowledge, explaining concepts like Vargita-Samvargita (powers and higher powers), Ardhacchedas (successive halving), and intricate methods of calculation for large numbers and infinities. The commentary showcases the author's deep understanding of their contemporary mathematics and its application to philosophical problems.

5. Other Important Discussions:

   • Foundership of Mantras: The text discusses the authorship of the Namokara Mantra, attributing its linguistic form to Pushpadanta, while acknowledging the underlying meaning as possibly older.
   • Northern and Southern Schools: It sheds light on the difference between "Uttara Pratipatti" and "Dakshina Pratipatti," potentially referring to Svetambara and Digambara schools of thought.
   • Moodbidri's History: Insights into the Jain institutions and history of Moodbidri are provided, including details about its temples and the lineage of its pontiffs.

Summary of Content Progression:

The book starts with introductory material, including explanations of the manuscripts and the editorial efforts. It then moves into the core subject matter of quantifying souls across Gunasthanas and Marganasthanas, meticulously detailing the mathematical framework and calculations used. The text also addresses various interpretations and debates within Jain philosophy, demonstrating the rigor and depth of the authors' knowledge. The detailed tables and explanations of mathematical concepts underscore the work's scientific and philosophical significance. The volume also includes extensive corrections (Shuddhipatra) for this and previous volumes, indicating the commitment to textual accuracy.

In essence, "Shatkhandagama Pustak 03" is a foundational text that meticulously enumerates and quantifies the soul population in Jain cosmology, utilizing advanced mathematical principles to explain complex spiritual and existential concepts. It highlights the intellectual heritage of Jainism and the scholarly efforts to preserve and disseminate this knowledge.