Sutak Chopai

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Sutak Chopai" by Kalyankirtivijay, based on the provided pages:

Title: Sutak Chopai Author: Muni Kalyankirtivijay (compiled), Shri Punjashirsurikrit (original creator) Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan (as per catalog link)

Overall Purpose:

The "Sutak Chopai" is a Jain religious text that elucidates the rules and traditions surrounding sutak. Sutak refers to periods of impurity observed during events of birth and death. The text aims to provide a scripturally based explanation of these observances, serving as a guide for both those who strictly follow them and those who may question them due to modern or Western influences. It also touches upon the scriptural understanding of impurity associated with menstruation.

Key Concepts and Observances Explained:

The Chopai, through its verses, elaborates on the scriptural validity and practical application of sutak in Jainism. The core principles discussed include:

• Periods of Sutak:

  • Birth:
    • For a son's birth: 10 days.
    • For a daughter's birth: 11 days.
  • Death: 12 days.
  • Animal Births: Specific periods are mentioned for animals like horses, camels, and buffaloes (1 day).
  • Young Children's Deaths: For children below eight years old, the sutak period is 8 days.
  • Death of Servants/Maids: 1 to 3 days.
  • Miscarriages: The sutak period corresponds to the number of months of the pregnancy.

• Impact of Sutak on Religious Practices:

  • No Dev Puja/Jin Puja: During the sutak period, worship of deities or Jin images is prohibited.
  • No Food from Affected Households: Munis (monks) are not to accept food from households observing sutak.
  • Prohibited Activities:
    • Women are not to perform pratikraman (a ritual of repentance) for 42 days after childbirth.
    • Women observing their menstrual cycle (rutuvanti nari) are considered impure for three days. They should not touch cooking utensils. Pious women should avoid pratikraman for four days.
    • Those who performed the last rites or carried the deceased (kandha denhara and veshna palatanhara) have specific sutak periods (16 days for the former, 8 days for the latter, as per the text).
    • No pratikraman is to be performed during the sutak period.

• Exceptions and Special Circumstances:

  • Death of a Sannyasi or Someone Far Away: If someone dies while on a pilgrimage or in a distant land, or if a Sannyasi dies, the sutak period is one day.
  • Death and Birth in the Same Household: If a death occurs on the same day as a birth, or if someone who was traveling dies upon returning home, the sutak period is one day.
  • Religious Observances: If a woman is undertaking penance (tapasya), she can resume Jin puja after five days. If a woman is ill, she can be considered pure after three days.
  • Menstruation and Purity: If blood appears, it is not considered the woman's fault. Through discretion and purity, she can resume Jin darshan.

• Scriptural Authority:

  • The Chopai frequently references various Jain scriptures and commentaries to validate its claims, including:
    • Nishith Churni
    • Vyavahar Bhashya (with commentary by Malayagiri)
    • Vichar Sar
    • Charachari Granth
  • The text emphasizes that these rules are from the teachings of the Jinendra (Tirthankaras) and are passed down through lineage of gurus and saints (gurumukhthi lahau, agamathi lahyo).

• Addressing Skepticism:

  • The text acknowledges that some people do not believe in sutak, attributing it to Western influence and considering it superstition. It aims to guide these individuals by presenting the scriptural basis.

• Animal Purity and Milk:

  • The text also touches upon periods of impurity related to animals and their milk:
    • Cow's milk is considered impure for 10 days after calving.
    • Goat's milk is considered impure for 8 days.
    • Cow urine is considered impure for 24 pohars (8 hours).
    • Buffaloes have a policy of 15 days of impurity.
    • The text notes that samuchim jiv (creatures that arise spontaneously) are born in cow urine (24 pohars), buffalo urine (16 pohars), goat urine (12 pohars), and sheep urine (8 pohars).

Origin and Compilation:

The "Sutak Chopai" was composed by Acharya Punjashirsuriji in 1906 (Vikram Samvat) during his Chaturmas (four-month rainy season retreat) in Jakhou (Kutch) port. The compilation and editing of this version were based on two manuscripts obtained from the Achalgachh Jnana Bhandar in Mandvi, Kutch.

Message to the Reader:

The text concludes with a blessing that those who listen to and follow these teachings will act with purity, attain spiritual progress, and ultimately achieve liberation (moksha) and eternal bliss.

In essence, "Sutak Chopai" is a meticulous and scripturally-rooted guide to understanding and practicing sutak observances within the Jain tradition, addressing various scenarios and reinforcing the importance of adhering to these practices for spiritual purity and progress.