Upmiti Saroddhar Part 01

Summary of Upamiti Saroddhar Part 01

This Jain text, "Upamiti Saroddhar Part 01," is a Gujarati translation of "Upamiti Bhavaprapancha Kathasaroddhar," originally authored by Acharya Shree Devendrasuriji and translated by Muni Kshamasagarji. Published by Shree Vardhaman Jain Tattvagyan Pracharak Vidyalay, the work aims to awaken the public from materialism by presenting Jain teachings in an accessible language.

The book is presented as a Gujarati translation of the "Upamiti Bhavaprapancha Kathasaroddhar," specifically focusing on the first three parts (Prastav). The work is dedicated to the memory of Sva. Shardaben, offered as a gift by Sheth Shree Sumtilal Chhotalal. Acharya Shree Vijay Harsha Surishwarji Maharaj is cited as an inspiration.

The core of the book is the allegorical narrative of the "Upamiti Bhavaprapancha Kathasaroddhar," which illustrates the soul's journey through various states of existence, influenced by karma and the senses. The translation, undertaken by Muni Kshamasagarji, is described as a monumental effort, inspired by Acharya Shree Kailassagarsuriji.

Key Themes and Structure:

The text is structured into eight proposals (Prastav), each detailing a stage or aspect of the soul's journey:

• Proposal 1: Causality, Origin, and Listeners: Explains the reasons for the narrative, the key themes, the origin of the story, and the audience.
• Proposal 2: The Soul's Journey from Nigoda: Traces the soul's progression from the lowest state of existence (Nigoda) through various life forms (earth-bodied, water-bodied, fire-bodied, air-bodied, plant-bodied) and sensory stages (one-sensed, two-sensed, three-sensed, four-sensed) ultimately leading to five-sensed beings in the animal realm and their experiences.
• Proposal 3: Suffering due to Senses and Anger: Details the hardships and torments faced due to the indulgence of the five senses and the control of anger and other passions.
• Proposal 4: Suffering from the Mind, Untruth, and Taste: Focuses on the afflictions arising from mental states, speaking untruth, and the tongue's craving for taste.
• Proposal 5: Suffering from Deceit, Theft, and Smell: Explores the consequences of Maya (deceit), theft, and the nose's sense of smell.
• Proposal 6: Suffering from Greed, Lust, and Sight: Details the pains endured due to greed, sexual desire (lust), and the eyes' attraction to the visible world.
• Proposal 7: Suffering from Infatuation, Greed, and Hearing: Covers the afflictions caused by attachment, possessiveness, and the ears' desire for sound.
• Proposal 8: Review and Liberation: Summarizes the previous proposals and illustrates how the soul, after traversing the cycle of birth and death, achieves liberation and attains the highest state of existence.

First Proposal - Detailed Summary:

The first proposal introduces the allegorical city of "Adrashtasool Paryant," representing the material world. It describes a virtuous king, "Sthit" (or "Susthit"), who governs with compassion and righteousness. The protagonist of this section is "Nipunyak," a destitute beggar, symbolizing the soul caught in the cycle of karma.

Nipunyak's life is depicted as one of extreme suffering: he is neglected, tormented by children, and barely survives on scraps. His hunger is insatiable, and his body is riddled with disease. He wanders through the city, begging for alms, his pleas ignored by most.

Drawn by an unknown force, Nipunyak reaches the royal palace. A compassionate minister, "Swakarmavivar," allows him entry. King Sthit, from his seventh-floor balcony, notices Nipunyak. The king's benevolent gaze falls upon the beggar.

The king's chief cook, "Dharmbodhak," is instructed to offer Nipunyak a spiritually nourishing meal. Nipunyak, however, is suspicious of this unexpected kindness. Mistaking the good intentions for deceit, he clings to his meager, impure food and rejects the offered divine sustenance.

Dharmbodhak, seeing Nipunyak's stubbornness, forcibly administers a special eye-salve called "Vimalalak" and makes him drink "Tattvapreetikar Jal" (water that generates love for truth). Despite the cleansing and the spiritual essence, Nipunyak's attachment to his impure habits remains. Dharmbodhak tries to reason with him, explaining the different stages of healing for diseases – curable, difficult to cure, and incurable. Nipunyak, it is revealed, falls into the "difficult to cure" category.

Nipunyak continues to consume impure food, preventing his complete recovery. When asked about the cause, he admits his addiction to impure eating. Dharmbodhak's attempts to explain are futile, and Nipunyak remains attached to his old ways. His daughter, "Taya," is then brought to him with the blessed meal.

The narrative highlights Nipunyak's persistent attachment to his impure food, even after receiving spiritual enlightenment and sustenance. He even contemplates discarding his alms bowl, symbolizing his rejection of true spiritual nourishment. This section sets the stage for Nipunyak's eventual transformation through a process involving the three "medicines": Vimalalak (eye-ointment), Tattvapreetikar Jal (truth-inducing water), and Mahakalyanak (a special divine food).

The first proposal introduces the fundamental Jain concept of karma, the influence of senses, and the importance of spiritual discipline for liberation from the cycle of birth and death. It sets a metaphorical framework where characters and events represent abstract spiritual principles and the soul's struggles.