Shatkhandagama Pustak 16 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of Shatkhandagama Pustak 16, also known as the Varganakhanda, Part 5, based on the provided text:

Title: Shatkhandagama Pustak 16 (Varganakhanda, Part 5) Author(s): Bhutbali, Hiralal Jain, Fulchandra Jain Shastri, Balchandra Shastri Publisher: Jain Sanskruti Samrakshak Sangh Solapur Publication Year: Veera Nirvana Samvat 2521 (1995 CE)

Overview:

This book, "Shatkhandagama Pustak 16," is the sixteenth and final volume of the comprehensive Jain Agam text, Shatkhandagama, with the influential Dhavala commentary by Virasena. This volume specifically covers the "Varganakhanda" or "Classification Chapter," and within it, the last fourteen "Anuyogadwaras" (modes of inquiry or analysis) starting from Moksha (liberation).

Key Content Areas (The Last Fourteen Anuyogadwaras):

The book meticulously details fourteen crucial topics within the Jain cosmological and karmic framework. These are elaborated upon with extensive philosophical and logical analysis, following the traditional Jain method of "Anuyogadwaras."

Moksha (Liberation): This Anuyogadwara explores the concept of liberation through various classifications (nama, sthapana, dravya, bhava) and focuses on the liberation of karmic matter. It delves into the cessation of karmic influx and the nature of liberation from different types of karma (prakriti, sthiti, anubhaga, pradesha). It also discusses the concepts of Moksha, Mokshahetu (cause of Moksha), and Mukta (liberated soul) in detail.
Sankrama (Transition/Transformation): This section analyzes the transition of karma from one state to another. It covers various types of sankrama based on different classifications (nama, sthapana, dravya, kshetra, kala, bhava) and significantly details Prakriti Sankrama (transition of karmic nature), Sthiti Sankrama (transition of karmic duration), Anubhaga Sankrama (transition of karmic intensity), and Pradesha Sankrama (transition of karmic particles). It discusses rules governing these transitions, such as which types of karma can transition into others, and the nuances of their transformations. It also includes detailed discussions on ownership (swamitva), time (kala), interval (antara), and relative quantities (alpabahutva) related to sankrama.
Leshyas (Karmic Dispositions): This Anuyogadwara examines the concept of Leshyas, which are the subtle karmic coverings that influence the soul's perception and disposition. It classifies Leshyas into six types (Krishna, Neela, Kapota, Peeta, Padma, Shukla) and analyzes them based on various perspectives:
- Nama Leshya: The name itself.
- Sthapana Leshya: Symbolic representation.
- Dravya Leshya: Physical manifestation of Leshyas (colors perceived by the senses).
- Bhava Leshya: The mental and emotional states associated with Leshyas. The text details the characteristics, manifestations, and classifications of these Leshyas based on color, intensity, and their association with different types of beings and their dispositions. It also discusses the concept of Leshyakarma, which refers to the actions and tendencies driven by these karmic dispositions, and Leshyaparinama (the transformation or evolution of Leshyas) analyzing how they change and influence the soul over time.
Sātā-Asātā (Conducive and Obstructive Karma): This Anuyogadwara classifies karma into Sata (conducive) and Asata (obstructive) based on their potential to bring happiness or suffering. It analyzes these categories through five sub-sections: Samutkirana (enumeration), Arthapada (meaningful term), Padamimansa (analysis of terms), Swamitva (ownership), and Alpabahutva (relative quantities). It differentiates between Ekanta Sata/Asata (purely conducive/obstructive) and Anekanta Sata/Asata (mixed conducive/obstructive).
Digha-Hasva (Long and Short): This section deals with the concepts of "long" and "short" in relation to karma, analyzed through four aspects: Prakriti (nature), Sthiti (duration), Anubhaga (intensity), and Pradesha (quantity). It discusses how these aspects of karma can be considered "long" or "short" based on their magnitude, duration, or intensity.
Bhavadharaniya (Sustaining of Existence/Life): This Anuyogadwara focuses on the concept of "Bhavadharaniya," which relates to the karma that sustains the cycle of rebirth. It classifies Bhavas into three types: Ogha-Bhava (general existence), Adesha-Bhava (existence according to specific types/categories like the four destinies), and Bhava-Grahan-Bhava (the process of taking on a new existence). The text primarily discusses the latter, focusing on the role of Ayushkarma (lifespan karma) in binding the soul to the cycle of existence.
Pudgala-atta (Pudgala and Self-Identification with Pudgala): This Anuyogadwara explores the concept of "Pudgala-atta," which signifies the soul's identification with pudgala (matter). It analyzes how pudgala is 'attaining' or 'grasped' in six ways: through reception (grahan), transformation (parinama), enjoyment (upabhoga), consumption (ahara), attachment (mamattva), and appropriation (parigraha). It delves into the nature of pudgala and how beings become attached to it, mistaking it for the self. It also discusses the quantitative aspects of these processes.
Nidhata-Anidhata (Fixed and Unfixed Karma): This section explains the concepts of Nidhata (fixed karma, which cannot be altered in its essential qualities like nature, duration, intensity, or quantity once manifested) and Anidhata (unfixed karma, which can be modified). It details the conditions under which karma becomes Nidhata or Anidhata, particularly in relation to the stages of spiritual development (Gunasthanas) and specific karmic types like Darshanamohaniya (delusion regarding perception).
Nikaachita-Anikaachita (Unchangeable and Changeable Karma): This Anuyogadwara differentiates between Nikaachita karma (karma that is absolutely fixed and cannot be altered in any of its four aspects: Prakriti, Sthiti, Anubhaga, Pradesha) and Anikaachita karma (karma that can be modified or altered). It explains the conditions that lead to karma becoming Nikaachita, particularly related to the stages of spiritual progress, and the interaction between these two states. It also touches upon the relative quantities (alpabahutva) of these states.
Karma Sthiti (Karmic Duration): This Anuyogadwara focuses on the duration aspect of karma. It presents two viewpoints: one that details the measurement of the minimum and maximum duration of karma, and another that discusses the accumulation of good karma (sata-karma) within the karmic duration. It analyzes the duration of various karmas and their sub-types.
Pashchimaskandha (Final Part/Aspect): This Anuyogadwara discusses the "final aspect" of karma, particularly in the context of the soul's journey towards liberation. It analyzes the karmic activities of the soul in its last birth, focusing on the process of the soul's liberation from the last vestiges of karma and its attainment of the ultimate state of Siddhahood. It describes the subtle stages and processes involved in the soul's final detachment from karma.
Alpabahutva (Relative Quantities): This is a recurring theme throughout the Anuyogadwaras, but here it is presented as a distinct Anuyogadwara. It involves detailed comparative analysis of the relative quantities of various karmic entities, such as the number of souls in different states, the magnitude of karmic durations, intensities, and particles, and the scope of their transitions. The analysis often differentiates between Swasthana (own state) and Parasthana (other state) for these comparisons.

Editorial and Publishing Information:

Publisher: Jain Samskruti Samrakshak Sangh, Solapur.
Editors: Late Dr. Hiralal Jain (Chief Editor), Late Pt. Phoolachandra Siddhanta Shastri, Late Pt. Balachandra Siddhanta Shastri (Assistant Editors).
Research Assistants: Late Dr. A. N. Upadhye, Late Pt. Dr. Ratanchandji Mukhtar, Pt. Jawaharlalji Jain Shastri.
Granthamala Editors: Pt. Narendrakumar Bhisikar Shastri, Dr. Devendrakumar Shastri.
Significance: This volume is noted as the 16th "Pushpa" (flower) of the Jivaraj Jain Granthamala, Vol. 5 of Dhavala, and is published with the rights from Shrimant Seth Sitabrai Lakshmichandra Jain Sahityoddharaka Siddhanta Granthamala.
Second Revised Edition: Published in 1995 CE (Veera Nirvana Samvat 2521) with 1100 copies.

Overall Significance:

Shatkhandagama, with its Dhavala commentary, is a foundational text in Digambara Jainism, particularly in the study of Karma theory. This final volume, Pustak 16, completes the detailed exposition of the Shatkhandagama by covering the intricate classifications and analyses of karmic processes related to liberation, transition, dispositions, duration, and other subtle aspects. The meticulous detail and logical structure of these Anuyogadwaras provide a deep understanding of the Jain path to liberation.