Yogavinshika Tika - Book Summary

This Jain text, Yogavinshika Tika, is a commentary on the Yogavinshika by Acharya Haribhadrasuri, with the commentary authored by Upadhyaya Yashovijayji. The Gujarati translation and publication were done by Dhirajlal Dahyabhai Mehta.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the text's content based on the provided pages:

1. Core Subject and Authorship:

The book presents Yogavinshika, a work by the renowned Jain scholar Acharya Haribhadrasuri, along with a Sanskrit commentary by Upadhyaya Yashovijayji. The Gujarati translation makes this profound text accessible.
Acharya Haribhadrasuri is highly revered for his extensive literary contributions (1444 works) in Sanskrit and Prakrit, covering diverse topics from householder life to asceticism, yogic states, philosophy, and meditation. He is known for his ability to synthesize different philosophical viewpoints and his mastery of languages.
Upadhyaya Yashovijayji is celebrated for his insightful commentaries on Haribhadrasuri's works, earning him the title "Lesser Haribhadrasuri."

2. The Concept of Yoga in Jainism:

The text defines Yoga in the Jain context as the path to liberation, as shown by the Tirthankaras. It emphasizes that all actions and practices (Jnanachara, Darshanachara, Charitrachara, Tapachara, and Vichar) performed with pure intent become Yoga, leading to rapid liberation.
The core of Jain Yoga lies in the five types of Yoga: Sthana (posture/station), Varna (speech/pronunciation), Artha (meaning/understanding), Alambana (focus/support), and Analambana (unsupported/formless).
These five yogas are further categorized based on intention (preach, bhakti, vachan, asanga), leading to 20 basic types, and further multiplied by the four aspects of desire/intention (preach, pravrutti, sthirata, siddhi), resulting in 80 variations.
Sthana Yoga: Stabilizing the body (e.g., Kayotsarga, Padmasana).
Varna Yoga: Pure and clear pronunciation of scriptures.
Artha Yoga: Understanding the meaning of words and sutras.
Alambana Yoga: Meditation focused on external objects like images.
Analambana Yoga: Formless meditation, contemplation of pure consciousness without any external support, leading to nirvikalpa samadhi.

3. Stages of Practice and Their Integration:

The text highlights how these yogas, when practiced with pranidhana (devotion/intention), lead to spiritual purification, detachment from passions, and ultimately, liberation.
Every religious act, like Chaitya Vandan (venerating the holy sites), should incorporate these yogic principles for maximum benefit and rapid liberation.
The practice progresses from Sthana and Varna to Artha and Alambana, ultimately leading to Analambana Yoga.

4. The Five Intentions (Ashaya) and Their Significance:

The text delves into five specific intentions (Ashaya) that refine the practice of yoga:
- Pranidhana: Absence of hatred towards those with lesser virtues, coupled with a desire for the well-being of others, and dedicated effort in one's chosen spiritual practice.
- Pravrutti: Enthusiastic and skillful engagement in practices that lead to spiritual advancement, without the agitation of seeking quick results.
- Vighnajay (Victory over Obstacles): Overcoming internal and external obstacles. This is categorized into three levels: conquering physical discomforts (like heat and cold), managing bodily ailments, and overcoming delusive false beliefs (mithyatva).
- Siddhi: Achieving the intended spiritual state, marked by virtuous conduct, compassion, generosity, and benevolence towards different types of beings, and the absence of fault in practices.
- Vinayoga: The skillful propagation of spiritual practices to others, leading to one's own progress and the advancement of others, ultimately being the cause for attaining the highest spiritual states over lifetimes.

5. The Four Types of Conduct (Anushthana) and Their Progression:

These five ashayas lead to four levels of conduct (anushthana):
- Priti (Affection/Love): Showing respect and trying to follow practices one is drawn to.
- Bhakti (Devotion): Showing greater respect and reverence than just affection, stemming from an understanding of the qualities of the revered.
- Vachan (Scriptural Adherence): Following the path prescribed by the scriptures, which is a natural outcome of Priti and Bhakti.
- Asanga (Non-attachment): The state of effortless, spontaneous adherence to Dharma, like the natural fragrance of sandalwood. This is the highest form, leading to Analambana Yoga.

6. The Twenty Types of Yoga and Eighty Variations:

The text details how the five yogic practices, when combined with the four aspects of intention (Preach, Pravrutti, Sthirata, Siddhi), lead to 20 initial types.
Further refining these by the four types of anushthana (Priti, Bhakti, Vachan, Asanga) results in 80 distinct forms of yoga.

7. The Essence of Yoga and its Practice:

The text emphasizes that Yoga is not merely physical posture but a deep engagement of the mind, speech, and body towards spiritual upliftment.
True yoga leads to the purification of the soul, freedom from karmic bondage, and ultimately, the attainment of liberation (moksha).
It advocates for the integration of these principles in daily religious activities like Chaitya Vandan, highlighting the importance of correct posture, clear pronunciation, understanding of meaning, and focused meditation.

8. The Four Stages of Yoga Practice within the Five Types:

Within each of the five yogic types (Sthana, Varna, Artha, Alambana, Analambana), there are four stages of development:
- Ichha (Desire/Intention): The initial aspiration and strong desire to practice yoga.
- Pravrutti (Practice): Actively engaging in the yogic practices.
- Sthirata (Steadfastness): Maintaining the practice with consistency and overcoming obstacles.
- Siddhi (Accomplishment): Achieving the desired spiritual state or mastery.

9. The Fruits of Yoga:

The practice of yoga, particularly Analambana Yoga, is described as leading to:
- Transcendence of the ocean of delusion (moha).
- Ascent on the spiritual ladder (kshapaka shreni).
- Attainment of Omniscience (Kevaljnana).
- Ultimate liberation (Moksha).

10. The Importance of Proper Understanding and Practice:

The text strongly emphasizes the importance of performing religious actions with correct knowledge of the scriptures and with sincere intent (pranidhana).
Actions performed without proper understanding or with impure intentions are considered mere dravya kriya (gross physical actions) and are ultimately futile for liberation.
The commentary also discusses the nuances of different types of conduct—vish (poisonous), gara (deleterious), anushthana (non-practice), tadhetu (causal), and amrita (nectar-like)—linking them to the purity of intent and the resulting spiritual outcome.
The text concludes by underscoring the need for adhering to scriptural injunctions (Vidhi) rather than popular customs (Lokasanjna) or personal interpretations, as deviation leads to the destruction of the true path and ultimately the Jain tradition itself. The importance of correct guidance from enlightened preceptors is also highlighted.

In essence, Yogavinshika Tika provides a deep dive into the practical and philosophical aspects of Yoga within the Jain tradition, emphasizing the integral role of proper intention, ethical conduct, and scriptural understanding in achieving spiritual liberation.