Shruta Skandha - Book Summary | JainGPT

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Shruta Skandha" by Brahmhemchandra, translated by Bra. Vinod Jain and Bra. Anil Jain, and published by Gangwal Dharmik Trust Raipur:

Overall Purpose and Scope:

The "Shruta Skandha" is a comprehensive work that systematically describes the twelve Angas (limbs or sections) of Jain Shruta (scriptural knowledge). It traces the lineage of spiritual knowledge from Lord Mahavir through the Shruthar Acharyas (monks who have mastered the scriptural knowledge). The text also delves into the structure and content of each of the twelve Angas, detailing their respective number of verses or "pads."

Key Content and Structure:

The book begins with a salutation to the Tirthankaras and then proceeds to detail the twelve Angas of Shruta. For each Anga, the text provides:

Name of the Anga: The specific name of the scriptural section.
Number of Pads (Verses): The textual and numerical count of verses or sections within that Anga.
Summary of Content: A brief description of the topics covered in each Anga, often highlighting key concepts and their significance.

The Twelve Angas and Their Content as Described:

Acharanga (आचारांग): Deals with conduct, describing how to walk, stand, sit, sleep, eat, and speak to avoid karmic bondage. It outlines regulations for monks, including vows, conduct, and restraints. (18,000 pads)
Sutrakritanga (सूत्रकृतांग): Focuses on knowledge, विनय (humility/respect), and the exposition of various practices. It also discusses the nature of the self and the external world, including both Jain and non-Jain philosophies. (36,000 pads)
Sthananga (स्थानांग): Encompasses the exposition of substances like soul, non-soul, dharma, adharma, space, and time, enumerating them in sequential order. (42,000 pads)
Samavaya (समवायांग): Explains the similarities of all substances in terms of substance, place, time, and mode. (164,000 pads)
Vyakhyaprajnapti (व्याख्याप्रज्ञप्ति) / Vyakhyaprashna (व्याख्याप्रश्न): Presents the answers to sixty thousand questions posed by the Ganadharas (chief disciples of Tirthankaras), such as "Is there a soul?" and "Is there no soul?" (228,000 pads)
Jnatridharmakathanga (ज्ञातरधर्मकथांग): Recounts the religious discourses of Tirthankaras and Ganadharas, containing various stories and narratives. (556,000 pads)
Upasakadhyayana (उपासकाध्ययन): Elaborates on the vows and conduct of lay followers (Shravakas). (1,170,000 pads)
Antakriddasha (अन्तकृद्दशांग): Describes the lives of ten monks in each Tirthankara's era who attained liberation after enduring various hardships and afflictions. (2,328,000 pads)
Anuttaraupapada Dashanga (अनुत्तरौपपादिक दशांग): Details the lives of ten monks in each Tirthankara's era who attained rebirth in the highest celestial realms (Anuttara Vimanas) after enduring hardships. (9,244,000 pads)
Prashna Vyakarana (प्रश्नव्याकरण): Deals with questions and answers concerning various worldly matters, including fortune, misfortune, life, death, victory, defeat, and the nature of things. (9,316,000 pads)
Vipaka Sutra (विपाकसूत्र): Explains the fruits of meritorious (good) and sinful (bad) karmas. (18,400,000 pads)
Drishtivada (दृष्टिवाद): This is the twelfth and final Anga, described as the culmination of scriptural knowledge. It is further divided into five sections:
- Parikarma (परिकर्म): Deals with various astronomical and cosmological calculations, including the "Chandra Prajnapti" (on the moon) and "Surya Prajnapti" (on the sun), as well as descriptions of islands, oceans, and continents.
- Sutra (सूत्र): Discusses the nature of the soul, its connection to karma, and its actions and experiences.
- Purvagata (पूर्वगत): Encompasses the knowledge of the fourteen Purvas (earlier scriptures), covering topics like origin, destruction, and permanence.
- Prathamānuyoga (प्रथमानुयोग): Contains the history and narratives of Tirthankaras, Chakravartis, Baladevas, Vasudevas, and Pratyanaryas.
- Chulika (चूलिका): Refers to supplementary or secret knowledge, including magical sciences, supernatural powers, and different types of spiritual attainments.

Key Features and Insights:

Detailed Pad Counts: The text meticulously lists the number of "pads" (verses or sections) for each Anga, offering a quantitative understanding of their scope. The total number of pads for the twelve Angas is stated to be 1,128,358,005.
Historical and Lineage Information: The book touches upon the lineage of scriptural knowledge holders (Shruthars) and the succession of Ganadharas and Kevalins (omniscient beings) after Lord Mahavir, noting periods when the direct transmission of complete knowledge ceased.
Discrepancies Noted: The "Translator's Note" (अनुवादक की ओर से) by Bra. Vinod Jain highlights some discrepancies between the "Shruta Skandha" and other texts like Dhavala and Jivakanda regarding the number of "pads" in the Satya Pravada Purva and the lineage of Acharyas. This indicates an academic observation by the translators.
Author's Background: While there isn't extensive information about Brahmhemchandra, the text mentions his guru as Acharya Ramanandi, whose time is placed around the 10th-11th century CE. The author's own period is noted as a subject for further investigation.
Emphasis on Study and Practice: The text concludes with the idea that reading, understanding, and having faith in the "Shruta" leads to the attainment of Nirvana for beings with the potential for spiritual growth.
Total Scriptural Corpus: The text also provides an immense number of "apunarukta akshara" (unique letters) for the entire scriptural body, both Anga-Pavishta (included in the Angas) and Anga-Bahya (external to the Angas).

In essence, the "Shruta Skandha" serves as a foundational text for understanding the structure, content, and historical transmission of the twelve Angas of Jain scriptural knowledge. It provides a detailed overview of each Anga's contribution to the Jain corpus, emphasizing the importance of scriptural study for spiritual progress.