Smarankala - Book Summary | JainGPT

This Jain text, "Smarankala" (The Art of Remembrance), authored by Pandit Dhirajlal Tokarshi Shah and translated into Hindi by Shatavadhani Muni Mohanlal 'Shardul', published by Rajasthan Prakrit Bharti Sansthan Jaipur, is a comprehensive guide to memory enhancement and the development of concentration and focus. It draws heavily from Indian traditions, particularly Jain philosophy, to explain and improve mnemonic capabilities.

Here's a summary of its key themes and content, based on the provided pages:

Core Philosophy and Approach:

Indian Tradition vs. Western Psychology: The book positions itself as presenting the traditional Indian principles of memory development, specifically the "Avadhana" (concentration) theory, in contrast to Western psychological approaches. It highlights the extraordinary memory feats of individuals within the Jain tradition, who can answer numerous questions simultaneously and recall them verbatim.
Memory as an Art: A central theme is that memory is not just a passive faculty but an "art" that can be cultivated and refined, much like any other art form.
Systematic Approach: The text emphasizes a structured and systematic method for memory improvement, presented as a series of letters (Pattr). Each letter delves into specific aspects of memory, concentration, and related psychological processes.
Holistic Development: The book advocates for a holistic approach, acknowledging the connection between physical health, mental focus, sensory perception, imagination, and memory.

Key Concepts and Techniques Discussed:

The book systematically covers various facets of memory and concentration through its letters:

Essential Elements for Achievement (Pattr 1): Emphasizes the necessity of firm determination, consistent effort, concentration, and readiness for differential cue selection. It introduces the concept of a "vow" or "commitment" to memory development.
The Mind and its Functions (Pattr 2): Explores the mind as the internal instrument of experience, differentiating between external sensory organs and the internal subtle nature of the mind (Mati, Buddhi, Chitta, Ahankar). It aligns with Patanjali's fivefold modifications of the mind (Pramana, Viparyaya, Vikalpa, Nidra, Smriti) and categorizes mental activities into intellectual, emotional, and volitional processes.
Importance of Memory (Pattr 3): Underscores the crucial role of memory for cognitive development and overall life progress, quoting the Bhagavad Gita ("Smritibhranshad buddhinasho...") and modern psychologists. It illustrates the consequences of poor memory with numerous practical examples from daily life.
Types of Memory (Pattr 4): Discusses memory's classification based on speed and intensity (Atimad, Mad, Vibhagiya Mand, Tivra, Tivratam) and introduces the concept of "vishay ki vritti" (the tendency towards a subject) being the primary driver of memory retention. It explains how interest and engagement significantly impact recollection.
Forgetting (Pattr 5): Analyzes the reasons for forgetting, attributing it to a lack of faith in memory, insufficient desire to remember, lack of interest, incomplete understanding, lack of focus, failure to link information through association, and insufficient revision. It also introduces concepts of retroactive and proactive inhibition.
Concentration (Pattr 6): Explains the vital link between concentration and memory, stating that an agitated mind cannot form clear impressions. It provides ten yogic and practical methods for developing concentration, including focusing on an object's category, components, qualities, and personal experience, and emphasizes techniques like visualization and controlled breathing.
Discipline of the Seeker (Pattr 7 & 8): Outlines daily routines and practices for a spiritual seeker, focusing on physical and mental purity, proper sleep, mindful eating, the importance of Brahmamuhurta (early morning spiritual practices), chanting, prayer, and good hygiene. It also touches upon the significance of various dietary choices for memory.
Sensory Efficiency and Control (Pattr 9 & 10): Discusses the importance of maintaining the efficiency and health of the five senses (eyes, ears, nose, tongue, touch) and emphasizes the need for sensory control ("Indriya-nigraha"). It explains how sensory perception forms impressions (engrams) that are crucial for memory recall.
Imagination and its Role (Pattr 11, 12, 13): Highlights the critical contribution of imagination to memory development. It presents a metaphorical story of "Maharani Kalpana Kumari" (Queen Imagination) to illustrate imagination's power in organizing thoughts, creating vivid mental imagery, and aiding recall. It also outlines practical exercises for developing imagination.
Association (Pattr 14): Explains how associating new information with existing knowledge or creating logical links (through similarity, contrast, identity, proximity, cause, and effect) strengthens memory. It provides numerous examples of effective association techniques.
Collection/Sequencing (Pattr 15): Introduces methods for organizing information into sequential chains or stories to make it easier to remember. It demonstrates this with examples of remembering lists of words.
Lines and Symbols (Pattr 16): Discusses the use of lines, symbols, and punctuation in written text to aid comprehension and memory. It emphasizes the importance of understanding sentence structure and pauses for effective recall.
Classification (Pattr 17): Explains the power of categorization in organizing information, making it easier to retrieve. It advocates for creating logical groups of items or concepts.
Sequence (Pattr 18): Reinforces the importance of learning and remembering information in a logical order, contrasting it with the difficulty of recalling items in a reversed or jumbled sequence.
Number Pictures (Pattr 20 & 21): Introduces a highly visual system for remembering numbers by associating each number with a specific image or character, further enhanced by associating them with letters and constructing vivid mental scenes. This is a key technique for memorizing complex numerical sequences.
Bonding of Emotions/Feelings (Pattr 22): Discusses how emotional engagement and the creation of mental "pictures" or narratives can significantly improve memory retention.
Avadhana Practice (Pattr 23 & 24): Delves into the concept of "Avadhana" (the art of simultaneous reception and recall of multiple stimuli) by detailing various tests and exercises involved. It highlights the role of concentration, practice, and a disciplined approach in mastering these extraordinary memory feats.
Concluding Remarks (Pattr 25): Summarizes the core principles, reiterating that memory is enhanced through focused reception, interest, sensory engagement, association, understanding, organization, and regular revision.

Notable Aspects:

Author's Expertise: The book is written by Dhirajlal Tokarshi Shah, a renowned "Shatavadhani" (one who can perform 100 tasks simultaneously, including memory feats), indicating deep personal understanding and mastery of the subject.
Spiritual and Ethical Underpinnings: While focused on memory techniques, the book is infused with Jain ethical principles, emphasizing discipline, self-control, and the ultimate goal of spiritual development.
Practicality: The text provides numerous practical exercises and examples that readers can implement to improve their own memory.

In essence, "Smarankala" is a treasure trove of traditional Indian techniques for memory enhancement, presented in a structured and accessible manner, emphasizing that with dedication and the right methods, extraordinary mnemonic abilities can be cultivated.