Tattvasara

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text about "Tattvasara":

The text introduces "Tattvasara" (meaning "Essence of Truth") as a profound spiritual treatise by Shri Kshullaka Dayasagarji. The author of the original work, however, is identified later in the text as Acharya Shrimad Devasena, a prominent Jain scholar. The document is a description and analysis of "Tattvasara" within the context of the Acharya Shantisagar Janma Shatabdi Smruti Granth (Commemorative Volume for Acharya Shantisagar's Birth Centenary).

The Problem of Spiritual Fulfillment: The introduction highlights a perennial human quest: finding the "best" among all worldly things that can lead to eternal spiritual welfare. It quotes the Shvamikartikeyanupreksha stating that very few beings truly listen to the truth, even fewer understand it fundamentally, fewer still meditate on it, and only the most virtuous souls grasp its essence. This scarcity is presented as the root cause of worldly suffering. The text questions the superficiality of worldly life focused on basic needs, procreation, and death, asserting that true welfare begins with a genuine inquiry into one's true nature: "Who am I really? Where did I come from? What is my true form? What is my highest duty? What happens after death?"

"Tattvasara" as a Spiritual Guide: "Tattvasara" is presented as a highly significant spiritual guide, particularly for those who have progressed beyond introductory Jain texts like Prathamanuyoga (narrative scriptures), Dravyasangraha, Chhadhalā, Shvamikartikeyanupreksha, Ishtopadesha, and Samādhī Tantra. For such individuals, "Tattvasara" is an essential "path-shower" towards achieving pure, eternal, and blissful consciousness. It is believed to enable practitioners to become Jivanmukta (liberated while alive) and ultimately achieve complete liberation.

Analysis of the Title "Tattvasara": The text delves into the etymology and meaning of the title. The author's original intent, as indicated in the first verse of the mangalacharan (auspicious invocation), was "Sutattvasāram" (Essence of Good Truth). However, "Tattvasara" is the more commonly accepted and established name.

• "Tattva" comes from "Tat" (that) and "Tva" (state or nature), meaning the inherent nature or essence of an object.
• "Sāra" means essence, core, importance, or meaning. Therefore, "Tattvasara" signifies the essence, core, or pure truth of the elements (tattvas). The title is deemed apt as the book reveals the profound secrets and essence of these truths.

The Subject Matter of "Tattvasara": The text divides "tattvas" (elements or truths) into two categories:

1. Sva-gata Tattva (Self-inherent Truth): This primarily refers to one's own soul (atma).
2. Para-gata Tattva (Other-inherent Truth): This pertains to external entities.

The primary focus of "Tattvasara" is on Sva-gata Tattva, which is further divided into:

• Savikalpa (With thought-activity): Characterized by consciousness involved with external thoughts and perceptions.
• Avikalpa (Without thought-activity): The state of pure, undisturbed consciousness.

The author's main aim is to expound on the Avikalpa Sva-gata Tattva, emphasizing that achieving this state requires adopting the Nirgrantha (ascetic, unattached) path. This Avikalpa state is also referred to by terms like Samadhi, Yoga, and Brahmi Dasha. Consequently, "Tattvasara" is considered a "mystery text" revealing the secrets of these states. It is especially beneficial for aspiring or existing ascetics who haven't yet experienced the bliss of the Avikalpa state.

Key Aspects of the Text's Content:

• Mangalacharan: The initial invocation venerates multiple Siddhas (liberated souls), reflecting Jainism's belief that liberation is attainable by all virtuous individuals through righteous effort, unlike monotheistic religions. The invocation also implies that the path to Siddhahood is through meditation, which burns away the eight karmas. This suggests "Tattvasara" is fundamentally a meditation text or a text on the mysterious science of Yoga.
• Duality of Elements: While traditional Jainism recognizes the Saptatattva (seven elements: soul, non-soul, influx, bondage, stoppage, shedding, liberation), "Tattvasara" presents a novel division into Sva-gata Tattva (the soul) and Para-gata Tattva (the Five Perfect Beings: Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu).
• Focus on Self-Inherent Truth: The book predominantly focuses on the Sva-gata Tattva (one's own soul), with only one out of seventy-four verses dedicated to the Para-gata Tattva (the Five Perfect Beings).
• Understanding of Merit (Punhya): The text offers a balanced perspective on merit (punhya). While it leads to great merit and eventually liberation, it is considered "conditionally" to be abandoned (hetupadeya) from the perspective of pure consciousness and "conditionally" to be accepted (upadeya) from the perspective of ethical conduct (charitra) up to the sixth spiritual stage. Devotion to the Five Perfect Beings is highlighted as a cause of great merit and, indirectly, liberation.
• The Importance of Effort and the Nirgrantha Path: The text refutes fatalism, asserting that liberation is impossible without diligent effort, meditation, and adherence to vows. It emphasizes that the availability of favorable circumstances (kaallabdhi) is meaningless without personal endeavor. It strongly encourages adopting the Nirgrantha path and immersing oneself in the Avikalpa Nijatattva (Self-inherent Truth) to attain pure, blissful consciousness.
• Meditation Techniques: Verses 17 to 65 detail the methods, profound processes, necessary aids, and factors that help or hinder meditation, using examples and descriptions.
• States of Liberation: The text describes the Jivanmukta (liberated while alive) and the Purnamukta (fully liberated) souls. It also elaborates on the Siddha state.
• Overall Structure: The book concludes with a reiteration of devotion to Siddhas and a blessing that those who meditate on "Tattvasara" will attain eternal happiness.

Unique Characteristics of the Book:

1. Essence of Truth: It doesn't just present truths but their very essence, or "good essence" if "Sutattvasara" is considered.
2. Novel Classification of Tattvas: The division into Sva-gata Tattva and Para-gata Tattva (specifically the Five Perfect Beings) is a unique contribution.
3. Emphasis on Self-Inherent Truth: The primary focus on the soul's essence makes it a distinct work.
4. Balanced View of Merit: The nuanced explanation of punhya (merit) is another key feature.
5. Inspiration for Asceticism: The book inspires the adoption of the Nirgrantha path for achieving the Avikalpa state.
6. Literary and Spiritual Craftsmanship: The text is praised for its coherence, flow, profound spiritual depth, and the skillful use of various literary virtues (like clarity, sweetness, and vigor).

Author: Acharya Shrimad Devasena: The text provides a brief biography of Acharya Shrimad Devasena.

• Lineage: He was a disciple of Acharya Shrimad Vimalasen and belonged to the Mūlasaṅgha tradition and the Kundakunda āmnāya (lineage).
• Time Period: He lived in the 10th century Vikram era, as evidenced by his work "Darśanasāra."
• Works: He was a prolific author, with important works including "Darśanasāra," "Bhāva Sangraha," "Ālāpa Paddhati," "Naya Chakra," "Ārādhanāsāra," and "Tattvasara." Other mentioned works like "Jñānasāra" and "Dharmasaṅgraha" are currently unavailable.
• Expertise: He was well-versed in many scriptures, a profound scholar of logic, and an expert in the subtle principles of karma, making him a great and successful writer and Jain Acharya.

Conclusion: The document concludes by encouraging readers to study the original text of "Tattvasara" for profound spiritual benefit and liberation from the cycle of birth and death, aiming for eternal happiness.