Shraddha Prasad Ane Adhyatma Prasad

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text from "Shraddha Prasad ane Adhyatma Prasad" by Nagin J. Shah, focusing on the concepts of Shraddha (faith) and Adhyatma Prasad (spiritual serenity):

The text, "Shraddha Prasad ane Adhyatma Prasad" by Nagin J. Shah, published by ZZ_Anusandhan, explores the interconnectedness of faith and spiritual serenity, drawing parallels between Buddhist and Yogic philosophical traditions. The author highlights that both these traditions can be considered as psychologies of the mind (चित्तशास्त्र - cittashastra), and their significant concepts and technical terms show notable similarities.

Shraddha (Faith):

The text delves into the definition of Shraddha, citing authoritative texts from both Buddhist and Yogic philosophies:

• Buddhist Perspective (Abhidharmakoshbhashya): Shraddha is defined as "चेतसः प्रसादः" (chetasah prasādah), meaning the clarity or serenity of consciousness.
• Yogic Perspective (Yogasutra with Vyasa's commentary): Vyasa, in his commentary on Yogasutra (1.20), defines Shraddha as "चेतस : संप्रसादः" (chetasah samprasādah), which also signifies the supreme serenity or clarity of consciousness.

The author points out that these two definitions are word-for-word identical. The term "Prasad" (प्रसाद) itself is further explained as:

• Absence of flaws/impurities (अनासवत्व - anāsavatvam): It signifies a state free from defilements or afflictions.
• Purity (निर्मलता - nirmalatā): It denotes a state of unblemished cleanliness.
• Purity/Wholesomeness (शुद्धि - shuddhi): It represents a state of being pure and beneficial.

The text elaborates that the mind's impurities are Raga (attachment), Dvesha (aversion), and Moha (delusion). These impurities obscure the mind's natural state. The purification of the mind, achieved by removing these impurities, leads to its "samprasada" or supreme serenity, which is essentially Shraddha.

Adhyatma Prasad (Spiritual Serenity):

Both Buddhist and Yogic philosophies utilize the term "Adhyatma Prasad" (अध्यात्मप्रसाद) to describe the clarity or purity that emerges in the mind during states of meditation, specifically in Nirvitarka-Nirvichara dhyana or Samapatti (meditation without discursive thought or examination).

The key idea is that during these advanced meditative states, the disturbing elements of Vitarka (discursive thought) and Vichara (examination) are removed from the mind. This removal results in a profound state of purity and clarity, which is termed Adhyatma Prasad.

The text supports this with definitions:

• Buddhist Perspective (Abhidharmakoshbhashya 8.7): "वितर्कविचारक्षोभविरहात् प्रशान्तवाहिता सन्ततेरध्यात्मप्रसादः" (vitarkavichārakshobhavirahāt prashāntavāhitā santateradhyātmaprasādah) - Adhyatma Prasad is the continuous flow of calmness achieved by the absence of the disturbances of Vitarka and Vichara.
• Yogic Perspective (Yogasutra 1.47): "निर्विचारवैशारोऽध्यात्मप्रसादः" (nirvichāravaishāro'dhyātmaprasādah) - Adhyatma Prasad is the clarity and purity associated with Nirvichara (meditation without examination).

The author emphasizes that the term "Prashantavahita" (प्रशान्तवाहिता), meaning a continuous flow of calmness, is also used in both psychologies with a technical meaning, and in both contexts, it signifies the same concept.

In essence, the initial pages of this text establish that both Shraddha and Adhyatma Prasad are states of mental purity and clarity. Shraddha is the foundational faith that enables the mind to be free from its inherent impurities, while Adhyatma Prasad is the profound and enhanced clarity and serenity attained through advanced meditative practices where mental disturbances are absent. The core similarity lies in the concept of "Prasad" – a state of unadulterated, pure, and serene consciousness.