Yogshastra Part 02

This is a detailed summary of the provided text, which appears to be a portion of the "Yogashastra Part 02" by Hemchandracharya, with commentary by Vijaydharmsuri. The text is part of the Bibliotheca Indica series published by the Asiatic Society of Bengal.

The provided text focuses on the "Second Prakash" (Chapter/Section) of the Yogashastra. It predominantly consists of stories and illustrative narratives used to explain and reinforce Jain ethical principles, particularly the importance of non-violence (ahimsa) and truthfulness (satya).

Here's a breakdown of the content and its underlying message:

Core Themes and Principles Explained Through Narratives:

• The Futility and Harm of Violence (Himsa):

  • The text strongly condemns violence, even for seemingly justifiable reasons like self-defense or tradition.
  • It emphasizes that violence, regardless of intent or perceived necessity, leads to negative consequences and future suffering, often in hellish realms.
  • The stories of Subhūmo and Brahmadata are central to this point. These narratives detail their lives and actions, often involving violence or cruelty, and their subsequent rebirths in hell. The tales illustrate how actions, particularly those driven by anger, greed, or ignorance, lead to dire karmic repercussions.
  • The story of Jamadagni Muni and the subsequent events involving his son Parashurama (who is portrayed as a figure of immense power and destructive potential, often acting out of anger and avenging his father) also serves as an illustration of the consequences of violent impulses and actions.
  • The text explicitly states that even violence intended for peace or upholding tradition (Kula-achar) ultimately leads to destruction.

• The Importance of Truthfulness (Satya) and the Dangers of Falsehood (Mṛṣā-vāda):

  • Truth is presented as a supreme virtue, essential for spiritual progress and well-being.
  • The dangers of even minor falsehoods are highlighted, illustrating how they lead to misfortune, suffering, and even rebirth in lower realms.
  • The story of Kalikacharya and Datta demonstrates this vividly. Datta, misled by his uncle Kalikacharya, makes false claims and engages in deceit, ultimately facing severe karmic consequences, including being covered in excrement and experiencing rebirth in hell.
  • The narrative of Vasudev (Vasunripo) illustrates the power of truth. His adherence to truth brings him prosperity and divine favor. The story of his son, Sudharman, further reinforces the importance of truthfulness, showing how adherence to truth leads to spiritual upliftment and favorable rebirths.
  • The tales of Narada and Parvataka highlight the disastrous consequences of misinterpretation, false testimony, and the pride that accompanies supposed knowledge without true understanding. Parvataka's false statement about goats being sacrificed leads to his downfall, and Vasu's false testimony in a dispute results in his painful demise and rebirth in hell.
  • The Kaushika the ascetic story powerfully illustrates the severe consequences of uttering even a seemingly truthful statement that leads to harm.

• The Evils of Uncontrolled Desires and Attachments:

  • The text critiques the pursuit of worldly pleasures, lust, and attachment to wealth, family, and power.
  • The stories of Brahma-datta recount his numerous lifetimes and the cycle of birth and death driven by his attachments and desires. His eventual attainment of a favorable rebirth and the consequences of his past actions are detailed.
  • The narrative of Muladeva showcases the deceitful nature of courtesans (Devadatta and her mother) and the foolishness of men who fall prey to their charms and greed, leading to their downfall. Muladeva's story highlights the pitfalls of indulgence and the importance of discernment.
  • The story of Ravana and his downfall due to his lust for Sita and his disregard for righteous principles is a significant example of how uncontrolled desires lead to immense suffering and destruction. His actions result in the annihilation of his clan and his own rebirth in hell.

• The Importance of Right Conduct and Spiritual Discipline:

  • The text implicitly or explicitly advocates for the Jain path of liberation, emphasizing practices like austerity, meditation, and devotion.
  • The importance of good company (Satsang) and following the teachings of enlightened beings is underscored.
  • The narratives often show characters who, through their adverse experiences, eventually turn towards spiritual discipline and attain better fortunes.

• The Universality of Karmic Law:

  • A consistent theme is the inexorable nature of karma. Every action, whether good or bad, has a corresponding consequence, often in future lives.
  • The stories repeatedly demonstrate that no one can escape the results of their actions.

Illustrative Stories and Their Significance:

The "Second Prakash" is structured around numerous stories, each serving as a parable to illustrate the ethical teachings. Some of the key stories include:

• Subhūmo and Brahmadata: These are recurring figures whose lives, filled with various actions leading to suffering and rebirths, are used to explain the consequences of karma.
• Jamadagni Muni and Parashurama: This story highlights the destructive consequences of anger and violence, even within a family context, and the cyclical nature of retribution.
• Brahma-datta's Many Lives: This extensive narrative follows the transmigration of a soul, illustrating the impact of past actions across different lifetimes and the struggle against desires.
• Kalikacharya and Datta: This story emphasizes the severe repercussions of lying and deceit, even when motivated by a desire to please or impress.
• Vasu and the Crystal Rock: This illustrates the power of truthfulness and integrity, showing how a virtuous life attracts divine favor and prosperity.
• Narada and Parvataka: This highlights the importance of correct understanding and the dangers of pride and misinterpretation in spiritual teachings.
• Muladeva and Devadatta: This story serves as a cautionary tale against lust, deceit, and the allure of superficial beauty, emphasizing the importance of discerning true character.
• Ravana's Downfall: This epic narrative demonstrates the ultimate destruction that comes from arrogance, lust, and disregard for dharma.
• Rama and Sita's Story (as an example of righteous conduct): While often seen in Hindu epics, the inclusion of this story might be to highlight certain exemplary virtues and the challenges faced by righteous individuals, possibly drawing parallels to Jain ideals of forbearance and dharma.
• Hanuman's Devotion and Loyalty: This narrative emphasizes the virtue of selfless service and loyalty to a righteous leader, a concept valued in Jainism.
• Sudharman (from the story of his parents): His virtuous life and adherence to spiritual practices are presented as a model for achieving favorable outcomes.

Overall Purpose of the Text:

The "Yogashastra Part 02," through its compelling narratives in the Second Prakash, aims to:

• Educate and guide: It provides a moral framework for living, explaining the Jain understanding of ethics and the consequences of actions.
• Discourage harmful behaviors: It vividly illustrates the negative outcomes of violence, falsehood, lust, greed, and other vices.
• Promote virtuous conduct: It encourages adherence to principles like non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, chastity, and non-possession.
• Foster detachment: It aims to cultivate detachment from worldly pleasures and attachments, which are seen as impediments to spiritual liberation.
• Reinforce the universality of karma: It serves as a constant reminder that one's actions determine one's destiny.

In essence, the "Second Prakash" of the Yogashastra is a didactic work that uses storytelling as its primary tool to impart the profound ethical and spiritual wisdom of Jainism.