Shravak Antim Aradhana - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shravak Antim Aradhana" (The Final Devotion of a Lay Follower):

Title: Shravak Antim Aradhana (શ્રાવક અંતિમ આરાધના) Author: Muni Shri Deepratnasagarji (compiled) Publisher: Abhinav Shrut Prakashan

Overall Purpose: The book "Shravak Antim Aradhana" is a guide for Jain lay followers (Shravak and Shravika) on how to perform the "Antim Aradhana" – the final devotion or ritual to be undertaken at the end of one's life or during a critical illness. It aims to help individuals prepare for their death with peace, equanimity, and spiritual merit, ultimately aiding them in achieving a better rebirth or liberation (moksha).

Key Concepts and Procedures:

Purpose of the Ritual:
- To ensure a beautiful and peaceful end of life.
- To attain samadhi maran (death with equanimity).
- To facilitate a favorable rebirth and eventual liberation from the cycle of birth and death.
When to Perform the Ritual:
- When a lay follower is suffering from a prolonged illness.
- When they are in a very delicate or critical condition.
- It should be performed while the person is still conscious.
Preparation for the Ritual:
- Invite the Chaturvidh Sangha: Invite the four types of Jain community members: Sadhus (monks), Sadhvis (nuns), Shravaks (male lay followers), and Shravikas (female lay followers) to the home.
- Install Tirthankar Idols: If possible, install idols of Tirthankar deities in the home in a respectful manner, ensuring no disrespect occurs.
- Seek Guidance from Gurus: The ritual should ideally be performed under the guidance of respected Jain monks or nuns.
- Alternative if Direct Invitation is Not Possible: If inviting the Sangha or installing idols is not feasible, the ritual can still be performed by approaching a Guru. If even that is not possible, the lay follower themselves can perform it.
The Ritual Steps:
- Welcoming the Guru: The first step is to welcome the revered Guru (monk/nun) to the home and seat them respectfully.
- Guru Puja and Vandan: Perform the worship of the Guru and offer salutations according to one's capacity.
- Seeking Guidance: Ask the Guru for guidance on what is appropriate to do at this juncture.
- Chanting and Meditative Practices (Kāyotsarga):
  - If Tirthankar idols are present, unveil them and perform maitri vandana (salutations of friendship) and chant their stanzas.
  - Perform Kāyotsarga (standing meditation or self-observation). This involves specific Kāyotsargas dedicated to:
    - Lord Shantinath (for peace).
    - The Shasan Devata (guardian deities of the faith).
    - The Kshetra Devata (local guardian deities).
    - The Bhav Devata (celestial deities).
    - Those who perform Vayavach (service) to ascetics.
  - After these, perform Kāyotsarga for the Adhishthayika Devi (presiding goddess of devotion).
- Dispersal of Idols: If idols were installed, they are respectfully dispersed after the initial rituals.
- Confession and Repentance (Alochanā):
  - The Guru guides the devotee to confess and repent for sins committed throughout their life, starting from childhood.
  - This involves confessing transgressions related to the five Aacharas (conducts) of Jainism:
    - Jnānāchara (conduct of knowledge)
    - Darshanachara (conduct of faith)
    - Charitrachara (conduct of virtue)
    - Tapachara (conduct of austerity)
    - Viryachara (conduct of energy/effort)
  - Specific confessions are made for sins related to violence (himsa), falsehood (mushavada), stealing (adattadana), unchastity (maithuna), and possession (parigraha).
  - Confession of anger, pride, deceit, and greed (krodh, man, maya, lobh) is emphasized.
  - Repentance for attachment and aversion (raag-dvesh) towards worldly things, family, and possessions.
  - Confession for sins committed consciously or unconsciously, through mind, speech, or body.
- Seeking Forgiveness (Kshāmanā):
  - Asking forgiveness from all beings, including the Chaturvidh Sangha, friends, enemies, family, and all living creatures (one-sensed to five-sensed).
  - Expressing a desire for universal friendship and the absence of enmity.
  - Specifically asking forgiveness for any harm caused to:
    - Earth-bodied, water-bodied, fire-bodied, air-bodied, and plant-bodied beings (ekendriya).
    - Two-sensed, three-sensed, and four-sensed beings.
    - Five-sensed beings (including humans, animals, celestial beings, etc.).
- Reaffirmation of Right Faith (Samyaktva):
  - Reciting the Navkar Mantra and affirming the core tenets of Jainism: Reverence for Arihants, Siddhas, Acharyas, Upadhyay, and Sadhus, and the path of Dharma as propounded by the Jinas.
- Reaffirmation of Vows (Vrat):
  - Reaffirming the fundamental vows of Jainism, adapted for the final stage:
    - Ahimsa (non-violence)
    - Satya (truthfulness)
    - Asteya (non-stealing)
    - Brahmacharya (chastity)
    - Aparigraha (non-possession)
  - These are often expressed as pacts (Pachakhan) to be observed up to the last breath.
- Renunciation of Sins (Vasiravana):
  - Renouncing the eighteen types of sinful activities (Ashta-dash Papa-sthanak).
  - This includes renouncing violence, falsehood, stealing, unchastity, greed, anger, pride, deceit, lust, attachment, aversion, quarrels, slander, gossip, excessive joy/sorrow, criticism, and false belief.
- Fasting (Anashana):
  - In the final moments, when life is ebbing, the practice of Anashana (fasting by renouncing all four types of food – dry, liquid, edible, and drinkable) is encouraged.
  - This is a voluntary renunciation of food and water to prepare for the transition.
- Chanting the Navkar Mantra:
  - As the very last moments approach, it is advised to constantly chant the Navkar Mantra, particularly "Namo Arihantanam."

Structure and Content: The book is structured as a step-by-step guide, detailing the procedures, the specific prayers and verses to be recited, and the philosophical underpinnings of each action. It includes:

Introduction and Purpose: Explaining the significance of the ritual.
Preparatory Steps: What needs to be done before the ritual begins.
Detailed Ritual Procedures: Outlining the sequence of prayers, confessions, forgiveness, and vows.
Specific Sutras and Stotras: Including various devotional verses and recitations.
Moral Teachings: Emphasizing the importance of confessing sins, seeking forgiveness, and living righteously.
Inspirational Content: Including praise for the Tirthankaras and the path of liberation.
Compilation of Devotional Songs and Prayers: Such as "Punya Prakash Stavan" and "Veetrag Paramatma ni Stavan" and "Sanyam-Prarthana."
List of Other Publications: Mentioning other works by the compiler, Muni Shri Deepratnasagarji.

Key Message: "Shravak Antim Aradhana" is a profound guide for Jains to face the end of life with spiritual preparation, transforming a potentially fearful event into an opportunity for spiritual progress and ultimate liberation. It emphasizes self-reflection, repentance, forgiveness, and adherence to Jain principles as the path to a peaceful and meritorious death.