Tattvartha Parishishta

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Book Title: Tattvartha Parishishta (तत्त्वार्थ परिशिष्ट) Author(s): Acharya Shri Sagaranand Surishwarji (मूल रचयिता: आगम द्वारिका आचार्य श्री सागारानन्द सूरीश्वरजी) Translator/Commentator: Muni Mansagarji (भाषांतरकार: उनके चरणारविन्द सेवक, मुनि मानसगरजी) Publisher: Dahyabhai Pitambardas, Ahmedabad (प्रकाशक: अहमदाबाद निवासी, शा. डाह्याभाई पीताम्बरदास)

Overall Purpose and Context:

"Tattvartha Parishishta" is a supplemental text intended to clarify and elaborate upon the core principles of Jainism, particularly those presented in the foundational "Tattvarthasutra" by Acharya Umaswati. The preface highlights that while ancient texts (in Prakrit and Sanskrit) contain profound knowledge of Dravyanuyoga (the science of substances), their length and depth made them inaccessible to those with limited intellect. "Tattvarthasutra" itself was a brilliant condensation of this knowledge. However, to further understand the sutras, various commentaries and smaller treatises like Sangrahani, Kshetra Samas, Jiv Vichar, Dandak, Navatattva, and Karmagranth were created.

As even these texts grew lengthy and complex (like Kshetra Samas and Sangrahani), the need for further simplification arose. Acharya Sagaranand Surishwarji, recognizing this, compiled the "Tattvartha Parishishta" in Sanskrit. This work aimed to distill essential concepts, particularly from the larger treatises, into concise sutras.

The present Gujarati translation and commentary by Muni Mansagarji is a further effort to make this profound knowledge accessible to a wider audience. The translator expresses gratitude to Acharya Sagaranand Surishwarji for his foundational work and to Dahyabhai Pitambardas for his philanthropic support in publishing this work for free distribution.

Key Themes and Content Areas Covered:

The book delves deeply into various aspects of Jain cosmology, mathematics, life sciences, and spiritual progress, often with numerical data and even diagrams (indicated by "Yantra Sthapana" or "Yantra"). Based on the extensive table of contents and the sutra content, the following are the major areas explored:

1. Narakiya (Hellish Beings):

   • Body measurements and proportions of beings in different hellish realms (Narakas).
   • The duration of separation (Viraha) between births in these realms.
   • The types of beings (based on physical constitution/sanghanana) that descend to specific hellish realms.
   • The future states or ranks achieved by souls after leaving the hellish realms (e.g., Chakravarti, Arhat, Kevali).
   • The extent of Avadhijnana (clairvoyant knowledge) in the hellish beings, with detailed charts.
   • The time taken for souls from different hellish realms to attain liberation (Siddhi).
   • The life spans and characteristics of beings in different hellish regions.
   • The nature of the "dense ocean" (Ghanodadhi), "dense wind" (Ghanvata), "thin wind" (Tanuvata), and the layers beneath the hells.
   • The number of Narakavasas (abodes within hells) and their distribution.

2. Cosmology and Geography (Lokakaya):

   • Detailed descriptions of Jambudvipa and other continents and oceans.
   • Descriptions of mountains like Himavat, Mahahimavat, Nishadh, Nil, Shikhari, Rukmi, etc., including their heights.
   • The structure of the world-disc (Jagatati) and the surrounding Védikas.
   • The rivers of Jambudvipa (like Ganga, Sindhu, etc.), their origins, paths, and associated numbers of tributaries.
   • The "Vakshaskara" mountains and their characteristics.
   • Descriptions of different "Avasarpini" and "Utsarpini" eras (the ascending and descending cycles of time) and their respective qualities (Sushama-Sushama, Sushama, Sushama-Dushama, Dushama-Sushama, Dushama, Dushama-Dushama).
   • The concept of Yugalis (individuals born in pairs during the earlier eras) and their characteristics across different Avasarpini eras (lifespan, body height, diet, reproduction).
   • Descriptions of the celestial realms (Deva Loka), including the number of Vimanas (celestial mansions), their arrangements, and the ranks of deities.
   • Detailed information on the lifespan, body types, and migratory patterns of deities.
   • The number of deities (Samayanika, Atma Raksha, etc.) associated with each celestial realm and their subdivisions.
   • The classification of deities based on their appearance, crowns, and the celestial regions they inhabit.
   • The locations and characteristics of the celestial Vimanas, including their shapes (circular, triangular, square) and their arrangement.
   • The number and distribution of stars, planets (Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Mars, Saturn), and their respective Vimanas.
   • The distances and interactions between celestial bodies.
   • The concept of "Lokapala" (guardians of the directions).
   • Detailed explanations of mathematical concepts related to measurement, circumference, and volume, often presented in the context of Jain cosmology.
   • The concept of "Naya" (standpoints or logical perspectives) in Jain philosophy.
   • The nature of "Dravya" (substance) and "Paryaya" (modes or transformations), and the classification of Bhavas (states) like Upashama, Kshaya, Kshaya-Upashama, Audayika, and Parinamika.

3. Life Forms and Their Characteristics:

   • Lifespans of various categories of beings (Earth-bodied, Water-bodied, Fire-bodied, Air-bodied, Plant-bodied, and beings with 2, 3, 4, and 5 senses).
   • The concept of "Vargana" (collections of matter particles) and their "Granhan" (graspable) and "Agrhan" (ungraspable) categories.
   • The process of "Upapata" (re-birth) and "Chyavana" (death) and the intermediate period (Viraha) in different realms.
   • The conditions and lineages (Vedas, Lingas) from which souls attain liberation.

4. Spiritual Progress:

   • The stages of spiritual progress and the potential celestial abodes or liberation attainable from different states of existence and practices.
   • The attainments of souls from various spiritual practices and beliefs (e.g., Tapas, Parivrajaka, Jain Shravaka, Mithyadrushti Yati, Samyati).
   • The "Sanghana" (physical constitution) requirements for ascending to higher celestial realms.

Methodology and Approach:

The "Tattvartha Parishishta" is characterized by:

• Concise Sutras: The core text consists of brief Sanskrit sutras summarizing complex information.
• Detailed Commentary (Bhashyantar): Muni Mansagarji's Gujarati commentary provides extensive explanations, often with numerical data, comparisons, and clarifications.
• Numerical Data: The text is rich in specific numbers, measurements (in Dhanush, Yojan, Angul, Hast), durations (in Muhurta, Divas, Mas, Varsh, Palyopam, Sagaropam), and counts of celestial bodies, beings, and structures.
• Diagrams and Charts (Yantra): The text frequently refers to "Yantra Sthapana" or "Yantra" (diagrams/charts), implying visual aids were used to illustrate concepts like body proportions, celestial arrangements, and geographical layouts. These are often described in the text itself.
• Comparisons: The translator often compares the Jain cosmological data with the "Bharata Kshetra" (human realm) to provide context and highlights differences or similarities.
• Emphasis on Accessibility: The entire effort is geared towards making difficult Jain philosophical and scientific concepts understandable to the common follower.

Significance of the Translation:

Muni Mansagarji's translation is a significant contribution as it bridges the gap between the advanced Sanskrit sutras of Acharya Sagaranand Surishwarji and the Gujarati-speaking Jain community. The effort to provide a detailed explanation with numerical precision and cross-referencing aims to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Jain teachings. The fact that it was intended for free distribution underscores the commitment to knowledge propagation.