Vitrag Vigyana Pathmala 1

This document, "Vitrag Vigyana Pathmala, Part 1" by Hukamchand Bharilla, published by Todarmal Granthamala Jaipur, serves as an introductory guide to Jain philosophy and practice. It is designed for personal and private use, with the aim of making these teachings accessible.

The book is structured into several "lessons" (Path) that cover foundational concepts of Jainism:

Lesson 1: Dev-Stuti (Praise of the Divine) This section begins with a prayer to the Jinendra, the liberated souls. It extols their qualities of omniscience, detachment from worldly affairs, possession of infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy. The verses emphasize the Jinendra's role as a dispeller of ignorance and suffering, and the source of true happiness. The devotion expressed is about recognizing the Jinendra as the embodiment of the ultimate spiritual state and seeking guidance from their teachings to overcome one's own suffering.

Lesson 2: Atma aur Paramatma (Soul and the Supreme Soul) This lesson delves into the nature of the soul (Atma) and the Supreme Soul (Paramatma) through a dialogue between Prabhakar and Yogiendra. It introduces the concept of the soul's inherent pure, conscious nature. The text distinguishes between three states of the soul:

• Bahiratma (External Soul): One who identifies with the body, external objects, or passions, considering them as their own. This is considered an ignorant state.
• Antaratma (Internal Soul): One who, through self-discrimination, understands the soul as distinct from the body and its passions, and experiences its nature as consciousness and bliss. This state is further divided into excellent, middle, and inferior antaratmas based on the level of renunciation and spiritual practice.
• Paramatma (Supreme Soul): The fully realized soul, free from all afflictions and karmic bonds, possessing infinite knowledge, perception, bliss, and energy. The text explains that the Antaratma, through dedicated practice, can attain the state of Paramatma. The Paramatma is categorized into Sakal Paramatma (Arhant Bhagwan, who have shed the deluding karmas but still have a physical body) and Nikal Paramatma (Siddha Bhagwan, who are completely free from all karmas and exist in a disembodied state).

Lesson 3: Saat Tattva (The Seven Truths) This section introduces the fundamental principles of Jainism as outlined in the Tattvartha Sutra by Acharya Gridhrapichha Umashwami. The seven truths (Tattvas) are:

1. Jiva (Soul): The conscious, sentient being.
2. Ajiva (Non-Soul): Matter, space, time, and other non-conscious entities.
3. Asrava (Influx): The inflow of karmic particles into the soul due to passions and activities.
4. Bandha (Bondage): The actual binding of karmic particles to the soul, which leads to suffering.
5. Samvara (Stoppage): The cessation of the influx of new karma, achieved through self-control and virtuous practices.
6. Nirjara (Shedding): The elimination of existing karma from the soul through penance and spiritual exertion.
7. Moksha (Liberation): The state of complete freedom from all karmic bondage, resulting in eternal peace and bliss.

The text clarifies that while Jiva and Ajiva are the primary categories, Asrava, Bandha, Samvara, Nirjara, and Moksha are special states or modifications of the soul and matter that are crucial for understanding the path to liberation. It also distinguishes between dravya (material) and bhava (spiritual/mental) aspects of these principles.

Lesson 4: Chhah Aavashyak (The Six Essential Duties) This lesson focuses on the six essential duties for lay followers (Grasthas) in Jainism, often performed daily. These are:

1. Dev Puja (Worship of the Divine): Reverence for the pure souls (Arihants and Siddhas) and their virtues. This includes both Nishchaya Dev Puja (internal contemplation of their qualities) and Vyavahar Dev Puja (external worship with offerings).
2. Guru Upasti (Service to the Guru): Respect and service to spiritual preceptors (Acharyas, Upadhyayas, Sadhu). Similar to Dev Puja, it has both internal and external aspects.
3. Svadhyaya (Self-study): Studying and reflecting upon the teachings of the Jinas, understanding the true nature of reality.
4. Samyam (Self-Control): Restraining the senses and passions, adhering to vows and regulations.
5. Tap (Austerity/Penance): Practices undertaken to weaken and eliminate karmas, involving fasting, reduced consumption, solitude, etc., performed with the right intention.
6. Daan (Charity/Giving): Generosity in four forms: Ahar Daan (offering food), Gyan Daan (imparting knowledge), Aushadh Daan (offering medicine), and Abhay Daan (offering protection/fearlessness).

The lesson differentiates between Nishchaya Aavashyak (the pure, essential spiritual practice) and Vyavahar Aavashyak (the external, conventional practices). While Nishchaya Aavashyak leads to the cessation of bondage, Vyavahar Aavashyak generates merit.

Lesson 5: Karma (Karmas) This section, based on the Gommatsar Karma Kand, explains the concept of karma and its role in the soul's suffering. It clarifies that karma itself does not forcefully cause suffering; rather, it is the soul's own passions (moha, raga, dvesha) that lead to the influx and bondage of karmas. The lesson details the eight types of karma:

• Ghati Karmas (Deluding Karmas): These directly obstruct the soul's inherent qualities.
  • Jnanaavaran (Knowledge-obscuring): Hinders pure knowledge.
  • Darshanavaran (Perception-obscuring): Hinders pure perception.
  • Mohaniya (Delusion-causing): Creates attachment and aversion, leading to wrong beliefs and conduct.
  • Antaray (Obstructing): Hinders the soul's natural strength, generosity, enjoyment, etc.
• Aghati Karmas (Non-deluding Karmas): These do not directly obstruct the soul's intrinsic qualities but determine physical and circumstantial aspects.
  • Vedaniya (Feeling-causing): Causes pleasant or unpleasant sensations.
  • Aayushya (Life-span determining): Determines the duration of life in a particular existence.
  • Naam (Name/Body-determining): Determines the physical form and characteristics.
  • Gotra (Status/Lineage-determining): Determines the family or social status.

The text explains that the karmas are not external agents but rather subtle particles attracted and bound to the soul due to its own actions and mental states.

Lesson 6: Raksha Bandhan (The Ceremony of Raksha Bandhan) This lesson recounts the story of Akampanacharya and his 700 disciples, explaining the origin of the Raksha Bandhan festival from a Jain perspective. The story describes how the sage Vishnukumar, possessing the Vikriya Riddhi (power to change form), protected the monks from the wrath of King Balidatta, who had been instigated by his ministers. Vishnukumar, disguised as Vamana (a dwarf), tricked Balidatta and freed the monks. The day this event occurred, Shravana Sud 15, is celebrated as Raksha Bandhan, symbolizing protection. It also highlights that such actions, even for a noble cause, may require penance if they deviate from one's spiritual path.

Lesson 7: Jambuswami This section introduces Jambuswami, one of the great disciples of Lord Mahavir and the last Kevali (omniscient being) of this era. It describes his life as a prince's son who, despite being betrothed to four beautiful maidens, renounced worldly life and became a monk. The narrative emphasizes his unwavering detachment and the influence of his spiritual practice, which also inspired a thief and even his wives to renounce the world. His parents also adopted monastic vows. Jambuswami attained omniscience on the same day his guru, Sudharmacharya, attained liberation.

Lesson 8: Bar Bhavna (The Twelve Reflections) This concluding lesson outlines the twelve types of contemplative reflections (Bhavana) that lead to detachment and spiritual progress. These are:

1. Anitya (Impermanence): Contemplating the transient nature of all worldly things.
2. Asharan (Lack of Refuge): Realizing that in the ultimate sense, only the pure soul is a refuge, and worldly protectors are temporary.
3. Sansar (Cycle of Birth and Death): Understanding the suffering inherent in the cycle of rebirth.
4. Ekatva (Aloneness): Recognizing the soul's inherent solitude and independence.
5. Anyatva (Otherness): Perceiving the distinct nature of oneself from all external objects.
6. Ashuchi (Impurity): Contemplating the impurity of the physical body.
7. Asrava (Influx of Karma): Understanding how passions lead to karmic bondage.
8. Samvara (Stoppage of Karma): Cultivating practices that prevent the influx of new karma.
9. Nirjara (Shedding of Karma): Undergoing penance to eliminate existing karma.
10. Lok (The Universe): Understanding the nature of the universe and its constituent substances.
11. Bodhi Durlabha (Rarity of Enlightenment): Recognizing the difficulty and preciousness of attaining right knowledge and faith.
12. Dharma (Righteousness): Contemplating the true nature of the soul and the path of virtue, which includes compassion, forgiveness, and the three jewels (right faith, right knowledge, right conduct).

The book concludes with questions at the end of each lesson, encouraging further study and reflection. The overall aim of the "Vitrag Vigyana Pathmala" is to provide a systematic and accessible introduction to the core principles of Jainism, leading the reader towards spiritual understanding and liberation.