Tapomarg Ki Shastriya Sadhna

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Tapomarg ki Shastriya Sadhna" by Hastimal Acharya, based on the given pages:

The text, presented as a discourse from the fifth Ganadhara, Shri Sudharmaswami, to Shri Jambu, outlines the classical practice of the path of austerity (Tapomarg). The core message is about how a monk, through austerity, eradicates the karmas accumulated due to attachment (Raga) and aversion (Dvesha).

The fundamental principle emphasized is the necessity of abandoning influx of new karmas (Ashrava Tyaga). Without stopping the continuous inflow of new karmas, the effort to destroy existing ones yields limited benefit. The text quotes scriptures to illustrate this:

• Page 1: A monk who abstains from violence, falsehood, theft, unchastity, and possession, and refrains from eating at night, becomes free from Ashrava (influx of karma).
• Page 1: Furthermore, a monk who is endowed with the five Samitis (careful conduct in walking, speech, eating, receiving, and excretion), guarded by the three Guptis (control of mind, speech, and body), free from the four Kashayas (anger, pride, deceit, greed), with controlled senses, abandoning pride related to spiritual powers, wealth, and pleasant experiences, and free from malice (Nisshalya), becomes Ashrava-less.

The text then uses an analogy to explain the process of karma destruction:

• Page 2: Similar to how a large pond, with its water intake stopped, dries up completely through irrigation and heat, a disciplined soul, by stopping the influx of karma, can dry up the karmas accumulated over millions of lifetimes through austerity.

The Nature and Types of Austerity (Tapas):

• Page 2: Austerity is broadly classified into two types: External (Bahya) and Internal (Abhyantara). Both are essential and complementary.

External Austerity (Bahya Tapas) - Six Types:

• Page 2: External austerity is further divided into six types:
  1. Anashana (Fasting): Complete or partial abstention from food.
  2. Uno-odarya (Moderation in Diet): Eating less than one's required intake.
  3. Bhikkshacharyā (Alms-wandering): Receiving alms with strict adherence to rules.
  4. Rasaparit'yāga (Renunciation of Flavors): Abstaining from palatable foods and drinks.
  5. Kāyaklesha (Mortification of the Body): Enduring physical hardships like enduring pain, plucking hair, etc.
  6. Sanleenata (Sensory and Mental Restraint): Withdrawal of senses and mind from worldly objects.

The text then elaborates on specific types of external austerity:

• Anashana (Fasting):

  • Page 3: It is of two types: Itvar (short-term) and Marankal (until death). Itvar fasting can be desire-filled (Savakanksha) or desire-free (Niravakanksha).
  • Page 3: Short-term fasting has six sub-types: Shreni Tapas (gradual increase in fasting duration), Pratta Tapas, Ghana Tapas, Varga Tapas, Varga-varga Tapas, and Prakirna Tapas.
  • Page 3: Marankal fasting is also of two types: Savichara (with conscious effort) and Avichara (without conscious effort), concerning bodily movements. It can also be Saparikarma (with external support) or Aparikarma (without external support).

• Uno-odarya (Moderation in Diet):

  • Page 4: This is further categorized into five types based on:
    1. Dravya (Substance): Reducing the quantity of food.
    2. Kshetra (Place): Limiting the area from which alms are received (e.g., within a village, city, specific houses).
    3. Kāla (Time): Receiving alms within a specific time frame (e.g., during a particular Paurushi or part of the day).
    4. Bhava (Mental Attitude): Accepting alms based on specific mental conditions or observations about the giver (e.g., accepting from someone of a certain disposition or appearance).
    5. Paryava (Circumstance): Accepting alms based on the specific conditions and circumstances.
  • Pages 4-6: Detailed explanations and examples are provided for each of these five types, illustrating how reducing intake, restricting the place of begging, adhering to specific times, and having particular mental conditions for acceptance constitute this form of austerity. The text also describes various patterns of alms-wandering (Peta, Ardha-peta, Gomutrika, etc.).

• Bhikkshacharyā (Alms-wandering):

  • Page 6: This refers to the strict adherence to rules regarding the eight types of gochari (sources of sustenance) and seven types of eshanas (proper modes of receiving). These are considered part of the alms-wandering austerity, also known as "Vritti Sankshep" (curtailment of livelihood).

• Rasaparit'yāga (Renunciation of Flavors):

  • Page 6: This involves abstaining from palatable foods and drinks, such as milk, yogurt, ghee, etc., which are described as "Praneeta Pana Bhojana" (elaborate food and drink).

• Kāyaklesha (Mortification of the Body):

  • Page 6: This includes enduring hardships like sitting in difficult postures (e.g., Virasana) and undergoing physical pain or mortification, such as hair-plucking, with equanimity.

• Sanleenata (Sensory and Mental Restraint):

  • Page 6: This involves maintaining one's bedding and sitting place in a secluded area, free from the presence of women, animals, or their coming and going. It also encompasses restraint of senses, Kashayas, and yogas (activities of mind, speech, and body).

Internal Austerity (Abhyantara Tapas) - Six Types:

• Page 7: After describing the six external austerities, the text moves on to the six internal austerities:
  1. Prāyashchitta (Expiation/Penance): This is a ten-fold process involving confession (Ālochanā), repentance (Pratikramaṇa), etc., undertaken for self-purification.
  2. Vinaya (Humility/Respect): This includes rising to greet superiors, joining palms in salutation, offering seats, and showing reverence and sincere service to gurus and elders.
  3. Vaiyāvṛttya (Service): This involves attending to the needs of the worthy, such as acharyas, with sincere effort and according to one's capacity. There are ten types of Vaiyāvṛttya.
  4. Svādhyāya (Self-study): This is crucial for the purity of Vinaya and Vaiyāvṛttya and is considered a form of mental service. It is of five types: Vācanā (teaching/learning scriptures), Pṛcchana (asking questions, reciting), Anuprekṣā (contemplation), Manana (reflection), and Dharma Kathā (religious discourse).
  5. Dhyāna (Meditation): This involves concentrating the mind on virtuous subjects, avoiding Ārta (sorrowful) and Raudra (fierce) meditations, and focusing on Dharma (righteousness) and Shukla (pure) meditation.
  6. Vyutsarga (Abandonment/Renunciation): This is the final internal austerity. It involves remaining motionless and unconcerned with the body's state, whether sitting, standing, or sleeping. It can be Dravyavyutsarga (external renunciation of body, possessions, food/drink) or Bhavavyutsarga (renunciation of anger, pride, deceit, greed).

Conclusion:

• Page 8: The text concludes by reiterating that a monk who diligently practices these two types of austerity (external and internal) is a wise individual who will be swiftly liberated from the cycle of birth and death (four-fold reincarnation). This is the path of auspicious and pure austerity.

In essence, "Tapomarg ki Shastriya Sadhna" provides a detailed exposition of the classical Jain practices of austerity, emphasizing the cessation of karmic influx and the systematic destruction of accumulated karma through both external physical disciplines and internal mental and spiritual practices.