Shattrinshika Chatushka Prakaranam

Shattrinshika Chatushka Prakaranam (षट्त्रिंशिका चतुष्क प्रकरणम्) by Dharmvijay is a Jain text published by Lalchand Nandlal Vakil. This comprehensive work, appearing as volumes 27-30 of the Shri Muktikamal Jain Mohanmala, delves into four significant "Chatushkas" (quadruplets) related to Dravyanuyoga (the philosophical branch of Jainism dealing with substances and their properties).

The book contains four main sections, each consisting of 36 verses (Shattrinshika), as indicated by the title:

1. Paramanu Khanda Shattrinshika (परमाणुखण्ड षट्त्रिंशिका): This section focuses on the fundamental nature of atoms (paramanu). It discusses their spatial location, duration, substance, and state (bhava). It explores concepts like the difference between spatial location and dimension, the subtle aspects of time in spatial location, and the relationship between these aspects and the number of atoms. It also touches upon the impermanence of dimensions while the substance remains, the duration of substances versus states, and the reasons behind these variations.
2. Pudgal Shattrinshika (पुद्गल षट्त्रिंशिका): This part delves into the nature of pudgal (matter). It explains the concepts of "sapradēśī" (having regions) and "apradēśī" (without regions) concerning matter from the perspectives of substance, space, time, and state. It discusses the minimal and maximal extent of these states and the reasons for them.
3. Bandha Shattrinshika (बन्ध षट्त्रिंशिका): This section deals with the concept of "bandha" (bondage) concerning different types of bodies (audārika, vaikriy, āhārak, taijas, and kāmaṇa). It explores who can cause complete bondage, partial bondage, and who is unbound. It analyzes the relative quantities (alpa-bahutva) of these categories and discusses related concepts like different types of motion (jugati, vakragati) and their associated bondage. It also includes discussions on the structure of space and the quantities of souls in different sections of space, as well as the mechanisms of bondage.
4. Nigoda Shattrinshika (निगोद षट्त्रिंशिका): This section focuses on "Nigoda" beings, a category of souls in a state of extreme sensory deprivation and potential for rebirth. It provides a detailed explanation of Nigoda, including the meaning of relevant terminology, the establishment of existence and non-existence, the nature of Nigoda, and the forty-two points of inquiry related to their description. It discusses the concepts of minimum and maximum soul-regions, their causes, and the relative quantities of souls in different states and locations.

The book also includes various appendices (Parishishta) to further elaborate on the topics covered in each of the four sections. The translation into Gujarati, along with illustrations and diagrams (Sāyantra, Sachitra), makes complex philosophical concepts more accessible. The text emphasizes the importance of Dravyanuyoga in achieving purity of perception and, ultimately, liberation (moksha).

The work is presented as a contribution by Dharmvijayji, with the publisher being Lalchand Nandlal Vakil, as part of the Shri Muktikamal Jain Mohanmala. The publication reflects a deep engagement with classical Jain scriptures and aims to provide detailed knowledge of these fundamental philosophical concepts to a wider audience.