Tattvarthadhigam Sutraam Tasyopari Subodhika Tika Tatha Hindi Vivechanamrut Part 09 10 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Tattvarthadhigam Sutraam Tasyopari Subodhika Tika Tatha Hindi Vivechanamrut Part 09 10," authored by Vijaysushilsuri and published by Sushil Sahitya Prakashan Samiti. This summary is based on the provided pages, which cover chapters 9 and 10 of the Tattvarthadhigam Sutra, along with its commentary and Hindi elucidation.

Overall Context:

The document presents the 9th and 10th chapters of the Tattvarthadhigam Sutra, attributed to Acharya Umaswati. This work is a foundational text in Jain philosophy, considered authoritative by both Svetambara and Digambara traditions. The publication includes a Sanskrit commentary called "Subodhika Tika" and a Hindi explanation titled "Vivechanamrut," both authored by Acharya Vijay Sushil Surishwarji Maharaj. The work is dedicated to his spiritual teacher, Acharya Vijay Sushil Surishwarji Maharaj.

Key Themes and Content Covered:

The provided pages focus on the latter part of the Tattvarthadhigam Sutra, specifically the concepts of Samvara (cessation of influx of karmas) and Nirjara (shedding of accumulated karmas) in Chapter 9, and Moksha (liberation) in Chapter 10.

Chapter 9: Samvara and Nirjara

This chapter details the principles and practices that lead to the cessation and shedding of karmas, essential steps towards liberation.

Samvara (Cessation of Karma Influx):
- Definition: Samvara is defined as the cessation of ashrav (influx of karmas).
- Means of Samvara: It is achieved through the practice of:
  - Gupti (Control): Three types are discussed: control of mind (manogupti), speech (vaggupti), and body (kayagupti). This involves restraining the mind from evil thoughts, speech from harmful words, and bodily actions from unrighteous activities, all in accordance with scriptural injunctions.
  - Samiti (Carefulness/Vigilance): Five types of careful conduct are explained:
    - Irya Samiti: Careful movement, ensuring no harm to living beings.
    - Bhasha Samiti: Right speech, speaking what is true, beneficial, and gentle.
    - Eshana Samiti: Right alms-seeking, obtaining food and necessities without causing harm or fault.
    - Adan-Nikshepana Samiti: Careful handling of objects, taking and placing them with mindfulness after inspection and cleansing.
    - Utsarga Samiti: Proper disposal of waste and unwanted items in a pure, non-violent manner.
  - Dharma (Virtues): The ten virtues considered supreme are enumerated: Uttama Kshama (forgiveness), Maudavya (humility), Arjava (honesty/straightforwardness), Shaucha (purity), Satya (truthfulness), Samyama (restraint), Tapas (austerity), Tyaga (renunciation), Akinchanya (non-possession), and Brahmacharya (celibacy/pure conduct). These are considered highest for ascetics.
  - Anupreksha (Reflection/Contemplation): Twelve types of contemplation are described to detach from worldly illusions and develop spiritual insight: contemplation on impermanence (anitya), helplessness (asharana), the cycle of existence (samsara), solitude (ekatva), difference (anyatva), impurity (ashuchitva), influx of karmas (asrava), cessation of karmas (samvara), shedding of karmas (nirjara), the nature of the universe (loka), the rarity of right knowledge (bodhi durlabha), and the true nature of Dharma (Dharma-svakhyata-tattva).
  - Parishahajaya (Endurance of Hardships): The text details 22 types of hardships that ascetics must patiently endure without complaint to strengthen their resolve and progress on the spiritual path. These include hunger, thirst, heat, cold, bites of insects, nudity, disinterest, association with the opposite sex, wandering, sitting, sleeping, harsh speech, violence, begging, lack of gain, disease, contact with grass/thorns, dirt, disrespect, praise, ignorance, and wrong faith. The text also specifies how many of these hardships are faced by individuals in different spiritual stages (gunasthanas).
  - Charitra (Conduct): Five types of conduct are outlined: Samaayika (equanimity), Chhedopasthaapya (conduct requiring re-initiation), Parihaar Vishuddhi (conduct of purification), Sukshma Samparaaya (conduct with subtle passions), and Yathakhyata (conduct in its true form, full of right knowledge).
Nirjara (Shedding of Karmas):
- Means of Nirjara: Nirjara is achieved primarily through Tapas (Austerity).
- Types of Tapas:
  - External Tapas (6 types): Anashana (fasting), Amodaarya (eating less than the required amount), Vritti Parisankhyana (limiting the types of food/alms), Rasa Parityaga (giving up tasty food), Vivikta Shayya Asana (living in a secluded place), and Kaya Klesha (afflicting the body willingly for spiritual practice).
  - Internal Tapas (6 types): Prayashchitta (atonement for faults), Vinaya (respectfulness), Vaiyavruttya (service to the deserving), Swadhyaya (self-study of scriptures), Vyutsarga (detachment/renunciation), and Dhyana (meditation).
- The text elaborates on the various types and sub-types of these internal and external austerities, including the different categories of Prayashchitta (atonement) and the qualifications for practicing Dhyana (meditation).

Chapter 10: Moksha (Liberation)

This chapter focuses on the ultimate goal of Jainism, Moksha, achieved through the complete eradication of karmas.

Path to Omniscience (Keval Gyana):
- Moksha is preceded by the attainment of Keval Gyana (omniscience) and Keval Darshana (omniscience perception).
- This is achieved through the destruction of the four ghati (destructive) karmas: Mohaniya (delusion-producing karma), Gyanaveraniya (knowledge-obscuring karma), Darshanveraniya (perception-obscuring karma), and Antaraya (obstructing karma).
- The text emphasizes the order: destruction of Mohaniya karma leads to the destruction of the other three ghati karmas, culminating in Keval Gyana.
Moksha Defined:
- Moksha is defined as the complete destruction of all karmas (kritsna karma kshaya).
- This state is achieved by the absence of karmic causes (like mithya darshana, avirati, pramada, kashaya, yoga) and through samvara and nirjara.
- The text also mentions that Moksha is achieved through the absence of aupashamika, kshayamika, kshayo-aupamika, audayika, and parinamika bhavas (states of being), apart from the innate qualities like Keval Gyana and Keval Darshana.
The Soul's Journey After Moksha:
- After the complete destruction of all karmas and the absence of the aforementioned states, the liberated soul (mukta jiva) ascends upwards (urdhvam gamana) to the abode of the liberated souls (lokanta).
- This upward movement is explained by four causes: Purva Prayoga (residual karmic tendencies), Asanga (non-attachment), Bandhachheda (severance of karmic bondage), and Gati Parinama (inherent tendency for upward motion).
- The soul ascends to the Lokanta (extremity of the universe) because the force that enables upward movement, Dharmastikaya, exists only up to the Lokanta.
Characteristics of Siddhas (Liberated Souls):
- The final part of the chapter discusses the characteristics of the liberated souls through twelve anuyoga dwaras (angles of inquiry/classification):
  - Kshetra (Realm): They reside in the Siddhashila at the top of the universe.
  - Kala (Time): They are beyond time.
  - Gati (Movement): They have achieved the liberated soul's motion (siddhayaman gati) and are immobile.
  - Linga (Attributes/Forms): They are beyond physical attributes and form.
  - Tirtha (Religious Order): They are beyond the concept of a religious order.
  - Charitra (Conduct): They possess Yathakhyata Charitra (conduct in its true form) eternally.
  - Pratyeka Buddha Bodhita: They are self-realized beings.
  - Gyana (Knowledge): They possess Keval Gyana (omniscience).
  - Avagahana (Height): Their form is proportionate to their original body, but they are subtle and occupy a specific space at the Siddhashila.
  - Antara (Interval): They are beyond the concept of intervals.
  - Sankhya (Number): The number of souls achieving liberation varies.
  - Alpabahutva (Rarity/Abundance): The relative numbers of liberated souls from different categories and times are discussed.

Commentary and Elucidation:

The "Subodhika Tika" and "Hindi Vivechanamrut" by Acharya Vijay Sushil Surishwarji Maharaj are lauded for simplifying complex Jain philosophical concepts. The commentary provides detailed explanations of the sutras, often quoting other scriptures and offering philosophical insights. The Hindi elucidation aims to make the teachings accessible to a wider audience, bridging the gap between scholarly Sanskrit texts and the understanding of the common devotee. The dedication and numerous acknowledgments highlight the efforts involved in producing this work and the reverence for the lineage of spiritual teachers.

In Essence:

This volume of the Tattvarthadhigam Sutra, through its detailed commentary and Hindi explanation, provides a profound exploration of Samvara (the methods to stop the inflow of karma), Nirjara (the process of shedding accumulated karma through austerities), and ultimately Moksha (the state of ultimate liberation achieved by the complete destruction of all karmas). It emphasizes the path of right faith, knowledge, and conduct, supported by virtues, contemplation, endurance, and austerities, as the means to attain the soul's pure and eternal nature.