Tattvarthadhigam Sutra Abhinav Tika Adhyaya 05 - Book Summary

This document is the fifth chapter of the "Tattvarthadhigam Sutra Abhinav Tika," a Jain text with a commentary by Muni Deeparatnasagar, disciple of Muni Suharmasagar. The chapter, titled "Ajivapra-rupana" (Description of Non-Jiva), focuses on the non-living substances (Ajiva) in Jain philosophy.

Here's a breakdown of the chapter's content:

Key Concepts and Structure:

Ajiva (Non-Jiva) Elements: The chapter begins by defining and detailing the categories of Ajiva, which are the non-living substances.
The Six Dravyas (Substances): The text establishes the existence of six fundamental substances (Dravyas) in Jainism:
1. Dharma (Dharmastikaya): The substance responsible for motion.
2. Adharma (Adharmastikaya): The substance responsible for rest.
3. Akasha (Akashastikaya): Space, which provides accommodation for other substances.
4. Pudgala (Pudgalastikaya): Matter, which has properties like touch, taste, smell, and color.
5. Jiva (Jivatattva): Soul or consciousness (discussed in previous chapters).
6. Kala (Kalastikaya): Time (its status as a separate substance is debated, but its function in change is acknowledged).
Dravya (Substance), Guna (Attribute), and Paryaya (Modification): The chapter elaborates on the relationship between substance, its eternal attributes (Guna), and its changing states or modifications (Paryaya).
Characteristics of the Substances: Detailed explanations are provided for the nature, function, number of regions (pradesh), and location of these substances.
Specific Attributes: The text discusses the specific characteristics of Pudgala (matter), such as its subtle divisions (skandha, desha, pradesha, paramanu) and its manifold forms (word, bond, subtlety, grossness, shape, touch, taste, smell, color, darkness, shadow, light).
Nitya (Eternal) and Anitya (Non-eternal): The concept of eternality is explored, explaining how substances can be considered eternal in their substance while their modifications are non-eternal.
Svadharma (Commonality) and Vaidharma (Difference): The chapter highlights the common attributes shared by substances and the unique attributes that differentiate them.
The Role of Kala (Time): The functioning of time is explained in relation to change and modification.
Niyata (Fixed) and Aniyata (Variable) Qualities: The text discusses qualities that are fixed within a substance and those that are variable.
Arupimana (Immaterial) and Rupimana (Material): The distinction between immaterial substances (Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Jiva) and material substance (Pudgala) is clarified.
Shat-dravya vs. Pancha-dravya Debate: The commentary touches upon the debate regarding whether time (Kala) should be considered a seventh substance or a modification of other substances. The text follows the view of considering five Astikayas (substances that occupy space) along with time.

Chapter Structure and Content Overview:

The summary indicates that the chapter is meticulously structured to explain the Ajiva Tattva in a comprehensive manner. It starts with foundational concepts and progresses to specific details:

Introduction (Pages 1-4): Includes invocations, title, author, publisher, and a general introduction to the Tattvarthadhigam Sutra and its purpose. It also defines key terms like Tattva, Artha, Tattvartha, Adhigam, and Sutra.
Chapter 5 Overview (Page 5): States that Chapter 5 contains 44 sutras and focuses on "Ajiva-praruupana." It mentions that the previous four chapters dealt with Jiva (soul), and this chapter will extensively cover Ajiva. It highlights that the chapter will discuss the classification of Ajiva, the substances within them, their eternality, location, and benefits.
Sutra-wise Explanation (Pages 6-46): The bulk of the document provides a detailed commentary on each sutra of Chapter 5, starting from Sutra 1. Each sutra's explanation includes:
- Sutra Hetu (Reason for the Sutra): The purpose behind stating the sutra.
- Sutra Mula (Original Sutra): The sutra in its original form.
- Sutra Pruthak (Sutra Breakdown): A word-by-word explanation of the sutra.
- Sutra Sar (Essence of the Sutra): A summary of the sutra's meaning.
- Shabdajnyan (Word Knowledge): Definitions of key terms used in the sutra.
- Anuvrutti (Continuation): How the sutra connects to previous ones.
- Abhinav Tika (New Commentary): The detailed explanation and interpretation of the sutra, often including philosophical arguments, clarifications, and connections to other Jain concepts.
- Agam Sandarbh (Scriptural Reference): Citations from Jain scriptures.
- Tattvarth Sandarbh (Reference within Tattvarthasutra): Cross-references to other sutras within the Tattvarthasutra.
- Other Granth Sandarbh (References to other Texts): Citations from other relevant Jain literature.
- Padya (Verse): Often, a summary of the sutra's meaning is presented in verse form.
- Nishkarsh (Conclusion): The practical or philosophical takeaway from the sutra.

Specific Content Areas Covered in Chapter 5 (as seen in the provided pages):

The provided pages cover sutras from the beginning of Chapter 5, detailing:

Sutra 1-4 (Pages 6-14): Define and classify the four types of Ajiva-kaya (non-soul bodies/substances): Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, and Pudgala. It explains the concept of "Astikaya" (a substance composed of many regions or pradesha). It also clarifies the meaning of "pradesha" and distinguishes it from "paramanu." The four Ajiva-kaya are identified as Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, and Pudgala.
Sutra 5 (Page 12): Declares that Jiva is also a substance, making a total of five Astikayas. It reiterates that Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Pudgala, and Jiva are the five substances.
Sutra 6 (Pages 15-17): Establishes the eternality, immutability, and immateriality of these five substances (Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Jiva, and Pudgala, with Pudgala being material).
Sutra 7-8 (Pages 27-32): Discusses the number of regions (pradesha) of Dharma, Adharma, and Jiva, stating they have innumerable (asahkhyeya) regions, while Akasha has infinite (ananta) regions. It also clarifies the concept of "pradesha."
Sutra 9 (Pages 33-36): Focuses on the infinite (ananta) regions of Akasha (space).
Sutra 10 (Pages 37-43): Details the varied number of regions (skandha) of Pudgala (matter), which can be finite (sankhyeya), infinite (asahkhyeya), or infinite (ananta). It explains that Pudgala itself is a substance, but its manifestations (skandhas) can vary in their constituent "pradesha."
Sutra 11 (Pages 43-44): Clarifies that paramanu (the smallest indivisible particle of Pudgala) does not have "pradesha" in the same way that larger substances do; it is considered a single fundamental unit.
Sutra 12 (Pages 45-48): Explains that Dharma, Adharma, Akasha, Pudgala, and Jiva reside in Akasha (space). Akasha provides the space for them.
Sutra 13 (Pages 49-50): Elaborates on the ubiquitous nature of Dharma and Adharma, stating they pervade the entire Lokakasha (the region of space where substances exist).
Sutra 14 (Pages 51-54): Discusses the variable residence of Pudgala within Lokakasha, from one region to infinite regions.
Sutra 15 (Pages 55-58): Explains the variable residence of Jiva within Lokakasha, from a minimal part of space to the entire Lokakasha, depending on the Jiva's state (e.g., body size, or in the case of liberated souls).
Sutra 16 (Pages 59-63): Discusses the non-active nature (nishkriya) of Dharma, Adharma, and Akasha, contrasting it with the active nature of Jiva and Pudgala.
Sutra 17 (Pages 67-72): Defines the function of Dharma as facilitating motion, Adharma as facilitating rest, and Akasha as providing space.
Sutra 18 (Pages 73-76): Defines the function of Pudgala as forming bodies, speech, mind, and vital breath (prana-apana). It also mentions Pudgala's role in pleasure, pain, life, and death.
Sutra 19-20 (Pages 77-82): Further elaborates on the functions of Pudgala in relation to the Jiva, specifically how Pudgala contributes to pleasure, pain, life, and death.
Sutra 21 (Pages 85-88): Discusses the mutual interdependence and interaction (parasparopagraha) among Jivas, highlighting their role in guiding each other towards beneficial or detrimental actions.
Sutra 22 (Pages 89-93): Explains the functions of Kala (Time) in relation to Vartana (existence), Parinama (change), Kriya (action), andparatva-aparatva (relative seniority/juniority).
Sutra 23-24 (Pages 93-103): Details the qualities of Pudgala such as touch, taste, smell, and color, and its manifestations like sound, bond, subtlety, grossness, form, separation, darkness, shadow, heat, and light.
Sutra 25 (Pages 103-114): Classifies Pudgala into Parmanu (indivisible particles) and Skandha (aggregates of particles) and explains their formation through Sanghaata (combination), Bheda (separation), and Sanghaata-Bheda (combination-separation).
Sutra 26 (Pages 114-116): Discusses how skandhas can become visible (chakshusha) through the process of bheda and sanghaata.
Sutra 27 (Pages 117-124): Clarifies the distinction between Paryaya (modification) and Guṇa (attribute), and how they relate to Dravya (substance), emphasizing the concept of Svatva (self-nature).
Sutra 28 (Pages 125-132): Explains the concept of eternality (nitya) and non-eternality (anitya) within the framework of Syadvada (the doctrine of conditioned predication) and Anekanta (multi-sidedness), illustrating how opposing qualities can coexist in a single entity from different perspectives.
Sutra 29 (Pages 133-139): Defines Satta (existence) as the combination of Utpada (origination), Vyaya (destruction), and Dhrauvya (permanence).
Sutra 30 (Pages 140-145): Discusses the eternality (nitya) of substances, explaining it as Parinamim Nitya (eternal through transformation).
Sutra 31 (Pages 146-153): Elaborates on the principle of Syadvada (relative predication), showing how seemingly contradictory qualities like Nitya (eternal) and Anitya (non-eternal) can coexist in a substance based on different viewpoints.
Sutra 32-35 (Pages 147-153): Detail the conditions for the bonding (bandha) of Pudgala, explaining how snigdhata (stickiness) and rukshata (dryness) lead to bonding, with specific rules about how different degrees of these qualities interact.
Sutra 36 (Pages 154-158): Explains the principle of resultant transformation (parinama) when Pudgala with similar or dissimilar qualities combine.
Sutra 37 (Pages 159-164): Defines Dravya (substance) as that which possesses Guna (attributes) and Paryaya (modifications).
Sutra 38-39 (Pages 165-174): Discuss the nature and function of Kala (Time), acknowledging the debate on whether it's a separate substance or a modification. It details its role in change and introduces the concept of Vyavahara Kala (conventional time) and Nischaya Kala (real time).
Sutra 40-44 (Pages 175-180): Elaborate on the qualities (guna) and modifications (paryaya) of the different substances, explaining their eternal nature (Dravya) versus transient states (Paryaya). It clarifies the relationship between Guna, Paryaya, and Dravya.

Overall Significance:

Chapter 5 of the Tattvarthadhigam Sutra Abhinav Tika provides a deep dive into the non-living aspects of the Jain universe. It systematically explains the fundamental substances, their attributes, their interactions, and their inherent characteristics, offering a scientific and logical framework for understanding the Jain cosmology. The commentary aims to clarify these subtle principles for the reader.