Tattvarthadhigam Sutram Part 05

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, Tattvarthadhigam Sutram Part 05, based on the given pages:

Tattvarthadhigam Sutram Part 05: A Summary

This document is the fifth part of the Tattvarthadhigam Sutram, authored by the venerable Umaswati Bhagavat, with commentary (vritti) by the great scholar Haribhadra Suri. This specific volume focuses on Chapter 5, which deals with the Ajiva Tattva (non-living entities) and the characteristics of various substances. The Gujarati translation is by the highly revered Acharya Shri Vidyarajshekharsurishwarji Maharaj.

Key Themes and Content:

The fifth chapter of the Tattvarthadhigam Sutram, as presented here, elaborates on the nature of the five non-soul substances (Ajiva Tattva): Dharma (principle of motion), Adharma (principle of rest), Akash (space), Pudgala (matter), and Kala (time). It delves into their fundamental characteristics, their respective quantities of "pradeshas" (fundamental constituent units), their locations, and their functions.

Chapter 5 Breakdown:

The chapter systematically describes each of the non-soul substances, highlighting their essential attributes:

• Dharma, Adharma, Akash, and Pudgala (The "Kayas" - Bodies): These are introduced as the primary categories of Ajiva, distinguished by their "pradeshas" (constituent units).
  • Dharma and Adharma: These principles are described as having infinite constituent units (pradeshas). They are eternal, immobile, and formless (arupi). Their function is to facilitate motion and rest, respectively, for souls and matter. They permeate the entire universe (lokakash).
  • Akash: Space is also described as having infinite constituent units and is eternal, immobile, and formless. Its primary function is to provide space (avagaha) for all other substances. It is also divided into the inhabited space (lokakash) and the uninhabited space (alokakash), with the lokakash being finite (14 raj) and alokakash infinite.
  • Pudgala (Matter): Pudgala is unique in that it is formful (rupini) and characterized by qualities like touch (sparsha), taste (rasa), smell (gandha), and color (varna). It is eternal but can undergo changes and combinations, forming "skandhas" (aggregates). Pudgala has countable, uncountable, and infinite constituent units, depending on the size and complexity of the aggregate. It can be perceived by the senses.
• Time (Kala): Time is described as being composed of infinite moments (samaya). It is unique as it is considered an Ajiva substance by some, though its presence is inferred through the changes and sequences of events. It is responsible for motion, transformation, activity, and concepts of past, present, and future.
• Attributes of Substances: The chapter details how these substances occupy space (avagaha) and how their constituent units (pradeshas) are arranged. It also touches upon the subtle and gross forms of matter and the concept of continuity and change (utpada, vyaya, dhrauvya) that defines existence (sat).
• The Nature of Pudgala and its Combinations: A significant portion of the chapter focuses on Pudgala, explaining:
  • Its various qualities like sound (shabda), attachment (bandha), subtlety (saumya), grossness (sthoullya), form (samsthana), and others like darkness (tama), shadow (chhaya), heat (atapa), and light (dyota).
  • The two fundamental forms of Pudgala: atoms (anu) and aggregates (skandha).
  • How aggregates are formed through combinations (sanghata) and disaggregation (bheda).
  • The concept of atoms being the fundamental, indivisible units of matter.
  • The formation of aggregates from atoms and the properties of these aggregates, including their perceptibility by the senses.
  • The rules governing the combination of Pudgalas based on their qualities (e.g., affinity of smooth and rough touches, the effect of dissimilar and similar qualities, and the role of graded qualities).
• The Nature of Pudgala and its Interactions: The chapter further explains how these qualities and combinations lead to various results:
  • The influence of Pudgala on life, providing sustenance for the body, speech, mind, and breath.
  • The role of Pudgala in experiences of happiness, sorrow, life, and death.
  • The interdependent nature of souls (Jiva) themselves.
  • The function of time in bringing about motion, transformation, and temporal relationships.
• The Concept of "Sat" (Existence): The chapter defines existence (sat) as that which possesses origination (utpada), decay (vyaya), and permanence (dhrauvya). This is a crucial Jain philosophical concept that reconciles change with permanence.
• Saptabhangi (The Seven-Fold Syadvada): The chapter briefly touches upon Syadvada, the doctrine of conditional predication, which allows for multiple, seemingly contradictory, attributes to coexist in a substance depending on the perspective. This is illustrated through the concept of "Saptabhangi" (seven-fold conditional assertion) where statements can be about existence, non-existence, both, indeterminable, existence and indeterminable, non-existence and indeterminable, and existence-non-existence-indeterminable.

Commentary and Context:

The provided pages also include:

• Introduction and Authorial Information: Details about the author Umaswati, the commentator Haribhadra Suri, and the translators/interpreters are given, highlighting the lineage of Jain scholarship.
• Translator's and Editor's Notes: The preface and acknowledgments by Acharya Shri Vidyarajshekharsurishwarji Maharaj and the editors (Munishri Dharmashekharvijayji, Munishri Divyashekharvijayji) provide context about the translation, the challenges faced, and the dedication involved. They express gratitude to various individuals and institutions that supported the publication.
• Publisher Information: The Arihant Aradhak Trust is acknowledged as the publisher, with contact details and pricing information provided.
• Inspirations and Guidance: The text mentions the blessings and guidance received from various senior Acharyas and Munis, underscoring the importance of spiritual lineage in Jain tradition.
• Dedication to Knowledge: A note emphasizes that the book is printed from "Gnanadravya" (wealth of knowledge) and encourages readers to use it respectfully and return borrowed copies to libraries.

In essence, Part 05 of the Tattvarthadhigam Sutram, through its detailed exposition of the Ajiva Tattvas, provides a foundational understanding of the Jain metaphysical framework, focusing on the eternal and changing aspects of reality and the principles that govern them. The commentary and translation make this profound philosophical text accessible to a wider audience.