(Illuminator of the Path to Salvation)
Preface
If I am
asked that which is the most suitable book which a beginner interested in Jain
philosophy should read, I would unhesitatingly recommend MokshMargPrakashak as
the book to read since it would lay a solid foundation of the subject. On the
other hand MokshMargPrakashak is a granth which describes very advanced
philosophical matters at the same time. It was extensively quoted by shri Kanji
Swamyji in his Pravachans on all the Paramagams. Unfortunately this granth is
incomplete and it is estimated that the author Pandit Todarmalji had intended
it to be a gigantic shastra which would have been several times the size of the
granth presently available.
Pandit Todarmalji was born sometime around
1720 AD and died under mysterious
circumstances around 1766 AD. At the
time of his death, Moksh Marg Prakashak
was being written hence it remained incomplete. Pandit Todarmalji was a great
scholar of Jain Philosophy and he had written several shastras in commentary
form explaining the subject in simple local language of those times. The most
notable amongst these is Samyak Gyan Chandrika which is a commentary on
Gommatsar. Labdhisar and Kshapanasar and deals with extremely complex parts of
Karanauyoga which he has described in local simplified language. Interestingly
he has translated them from Kannada script which he had to learn to study the
subject. This itself was an extraordinary achievement for a person living in
Northern India. Besides this, he wrote commentary on Triloksaar which is a shastra dealing with
the Jain Geography and commentaries on Atmanushasan and Purushartha Siddhi
Upaya. Artha Sandrishti Adhikar authored by him is an extraordinary contribution
towards Jain Mathematics which uses
language of symbols to denote the complex Jain
representation of numbers in
various stages of spiritual development. Further he had written a small but
extremely important letter known as
Rahasya Poorna Chitthi which was in reply to a letter received by him asking questions on the form of meditation.
In the
limited period of his life his contributions towards Jain philosophy are
enormous and not surprisingly he is addressed as Acharya kalpa which implies
being like an Acharya even though he was a householder. People used to throng to listen to his
discourses in Jaipur at those times and used to wonder upon the extent of his knowledge.
This incomplete book starts with the first chapter
of Introduction on the forms of Arahant, Siddha, Upadhyaya etc. concluding with the objective of the granth along with
form of speaker and listener. The second chapter describes the form of the
worldly state being experienced by all the Jivas due to bondage of Karmas The
third chapter deals with the miseries suffered in the world by different jivas
and its possible remedy in the form of Moksha.
The fourth chapter narrates the form of Mithya darshan-Gyan-Charitra
being practiced by the jivas . The fifth chapter describes the different
philosophies being followed by jiva and refutes them one by one. Sixth chapter
negates the forms of Kudeva-Kuguru-Kudharma being practiced by jiva. The
seventh chapter is an important chapter which highlights the mistakes being
practiced even by Jain followers in the form of NishchayaBhas and VyavaharaBhas
etc. The eighth chapter briefly
describes the various means which are used in Jainism for preachment in the
form of four Anuyogas. The last ninth Chapter appears to be truly the beginning
of the granth by laying out the form of
Moksha Marg and the means for Samyak Darshan. Even though the book is
incomplete it lays down the principles which should be followed by the layman
for practicing dharma and mistakes to avoid hence in that respect this granth
is invaluable. By reading it one is surprised by the extent of knowledge Pandit
Todarmalji had and to what extent he had studied the contemporary shastras.
Considering his period and knowing the means which were available for
writing and communicating , it can be
easily concluded that his knowledge was phenomenal.
In my opinion the extent of his knowledge gives us a glimpse of what the knowledge of omniscient would be like, which further consolidates the belief in omniscience.
Peeth Bandh Niroopan ( Introduction )
Now the
MokshMargPrakashan named shastra is being written-
Firstly
Mangal Namokar Mantra is invoked –
Namo Arahantanam, Namo Siddhanam, Namo Ayariyaanam|
Namo
Uvajjhaayanam , Namo Loye SavvaSahoonam ||
It means –
Obeisance to Arahantas, Obeisance to Siddhas, Obeisance to Acharyas, Obeisance
to Upadhyayas, Obeisance to all the Sadhus of the Lok.
Since here
Namaskar is offered in obeisance hence
its name is Namaskar Mantra.
Now the one
who is offered Namaskar, his form is
contemplated upon.
Form of Arahantas
Firstly the
form of Arahantas is considered-
The one
who renouncing householdership,
embracing Muni dharma, destroying four ghati karmas by the means of own nature,
was stationed in infinite foursome form ; by means of infinite gyan, who knows
all the jivas etc. dravyas along with their infinite guna-paryayas, simultaneously specifically in direct manner ; who views
them in samanya form by means of infinite darshan; who has such capability by means of infinite veerya; who
experiences perturbation free bliss by means of infinite sukh.
Further, who
devoid of all the raga-dwesha form corrupted bhavas absolutely, have manifested
in peaceful flavour form and being free from all the thirst-hunger form
blemishes have attained the state of Deva amongst the Devas, and who have
Param-Audarik Sharir (body) devoid of all
weapons-clothes free of symbols
of detestable bhavas of anger-desire etc. and with whose words the
dharma-teerth flourishes in the lok ;
who are the means for the benediction of
the jivas and on account of worldly jivas considering them to be Prabhu form , conjunction of different
kinds of miracles and grandeur is attained by them and whom for their own benefit Ganadhar-Indra etc. supreme
jivas venerate.
-
Such Shri Arahant Devas are venerable
in every possible way. Obeisance to them by us.
Form of Siddhas
Now the form
of Siddhas is contemplated upon-
Who
renouncing householder state, with the means of Muni Darma, upon destruction of
four Ghati karmas, revealed infinite foursome nature and after sometime with
destruction of four Aghati karmas also, abandoning Param-Audarik Sharir also,
having nature of upward motion, were stationed at the peak of the Lok; where with elimination of relationship with
all the other dravyas, the salvation state was attained and were stationed
having Atma Pradesh of the shape of Purush(male) form and whose bodies were slightly smaller than the last worldly body.
Whose
opponent karmas have been destroyed; hence all Atmik-Gunas of the form of
Samyaktva-Gyan-Darshan etc. have completely attained own nature; who have no
relation with NoKarmas hence all Amoortattva etc. Atmik Dharmas have been
revealed and whose bhava karmas have been eliminated, hence manifestation is in
Shuddha blissful nature form; with whose Dhyan the Bhavya Jivas attain the
knowledge of own dravya-other dravya and
corrupted bhava-swabhava bhavas, by means of which their practice for becoming same as those
Siddhas is carried out; who is like mirror form for displaying the desirable such own shudddha nature and who has
achieved all that has to be achieved;
therefore they remain thus for infinitely endless period.
-
Such manifested ‘Shri Siddha Bhagwan’
is offered our Namaskar.
Samanya Form of Acharya-Upadhyaya-Sadhu
Now the
nature of Acharya-Upadhyaya-Sadhu is observed-
The one who
being detached, renouncing all possessions, adopting shuddhopayoga form
Munidharma, experiences himself within self by means of that shuddhopayoga
internally; who does not have spirit of oneness with other dravyas and believes the gyan etc. swabhava only to
be his own; who does not have affection towards other bhavas and the other
dravyas and their swabhavas which are reflected in his gyan ; them they know
only but do not indulge in raga-dwesha by considering them as good or bad.
Body has
different states, different external nimittas are present but they do not
consider them as sukh-dukh. Whatever applicable external activities for self,
they perform to the extent possible but do not forcibly try to do them
and do not make their Upayoga wander too much. Being detached they adopt
inactive attitude and due to fruition of
weak raga, shubhopayoga also occurs. They
are affectionate towards these external means for shuddhopayoga but knowing the raga bhava to be despicable,
they wish to eliminate them and due to lack of fruition of strong kashaya, the
himsa etc form ashubhopayoga
manifestation is not existent at all.
With such
internal state they are externally Digamber with peaceful countenance. They are
free of activities of body like preening etc., reside in forest etc., practice
28 prime qualities without break, tolerate 22 hardships, respect 12 types of
tapas, sometimes adopting Dhyan posture they are stationary like an idol;
sometimes they engage in study etc. external dharma activities; sometimes they
are carefully engaged in the suitable food taking-moving etc. activities for
maintenance of the body which are applicable for Munis.
-
Such are Jain Munis , all of them have
such state.
Form of Acharya
Out of them,
those who have attained the prime status on account of superiority of Samyak
Darshan-SamyakGyan-Samyak Charitra thus being leader of the sangh; who are primarily engrossed in nirvikalpa
Swaroopacharan only; who sometimes, upon observing other jivas desirous of
dharma, with spirit of compassion due to fruition of bit of raga, give them
dharma preachment; those desirous of ordination are given ordination and those
who reveal their mistakes, they offer them repentance for purification.
-
Enabling conduct in such manner are
‘Acharya’; Namaskar to them.
Form of Upadhyaya
Who are
knowledgeable of several Jain shastras; are authority in Sangh for
teaching-studying and those who knowing the applicable meaning of all the shastras, with concentration,
engross in own nature and if sometimes due to fruition of bit of Kashaya, if
the upayoga does not remain steady then
they themselves study those shastras and teach other dharma followers also.
-
Engaged in teaching such Bhavyas who
are nearing Moksha are Upadhyaya, our Namaskar to them.
Form of Sadhu
Further
without attainment of these two posts, all others who are holder of Muni state
and who engage in own Atma Swabhava; e.g.- own upayoga believing other dravya
to be good or bad should not get involved , in such a way they practice their
Upayoga and externally they engage in Tapa etc. activities which are means to
it externally and sometimes engage in
Bhakti Vandan etc, form of activities.
-
Holder of such Atma swabhava are Sadhu, to them our Namaskar is offered.
Reason for Veneration
In this way
the ‘form’ of these Arahant etc. is Veetrag-Vigyan form. Due to that
only the Arahant etc. have become highly venerable since from aspect of Jiva
Tattva all the jivas are identical but on account of raga etc. form corruption and limitations of gyan the
jiva are disgraceful while due to lack
of ragas etc. and greatness of gyan they are venerable. Here Arahant-Siddhas
have complete lack of ragas etc. and the great ness of gyan is specific hence
the complete veetrag-vigyan bhava is applicable; and for Acharya, Upadhyaya and
Sadhus the lack of ragas and greatness of gyan in partial form results in
possibility of partial Veetrag-Vigyan. Therefore these Arahant etc. should be
known to be highly venerable.
Further , these Arahant etc. states should be
known to be in this way- Primarily it should be known to be that of Tirthankara
and in secondary form to be that of all Kevalis. They are known as ‘Arahant’ in
Prakrit language and as ‘Arhat’ in Sanskrit
language–and beyond fourteenth gunasthana they should be known as
‘Siddhas’.
Further, those who have attained Acharya
title, whether they are in sangh or practice Atma Dhyan alone or are
Ekal-Vihari ( practicing alone) or amongst Acharyas also they have attained
Primary status hence are holder of Ganadhar
status – they are all named as ‘Acharya’.
Further, studying -teaching is carried out by
other Munis also , but those who have attained the Upadhyaya status given by
Acharyas, they only in spite of being engaged in Atma-dhyan etc. activities are
called as ‘Upadhyaya’.
Those who are not holder of title , all such Munis
should be known as holder of Sadhu sangya ( name).
Here such
rule is not existent
that with Panchachars the Acharya title is given, study-teaching results in
Upadhyaya title, practice of prime qualities result in Sadhu title since these
activities are common to all the Munis but from aspect of Shabda Naya their
word meaning is carried out thus. From aspect of Samabhiroodha naya the Acharya
etc. name is given to the status only .
Just as from aspect of Shabda naya the one who moves is called a cow, there the
movement is carried out by Manushya also, but from aspect of Samabhiroodha naya
the name is given to that paryaya. In
the same way it should be understood.
Here before Siddhas the Arahants were venerated,
what is the reason for it?- this doubt is generated.
Its answer is as follows- The veneration is offered from
aspect of attainment of our objective. Here from Arahants the objective of
preachment etc. is specifically served ; hence they are venerated first. In
this way the form of Arahant etc, is contemplated upon, since by contemplation
of form, specific purposes are served.
Further, these Arahant etc. are called as ‘Panch Parameshthis’
since those who are most favourite are named as ‘Parameshta’. The group of five
such Parameshta is called as ‘Panch Parameshthi’.
Further, Rishabh, Ajit, Sambhav, Abhinanadan, Sumati,
PadmaPrabh, Suparshwa, ChandraPrabh, PushpaDant, Sheetal, Shreyan, Vasupujya,
Vimal, Anant, Dharma, Shanti, Kunthu, Ara, Malli, MuniSuvrata, Nami, Nemi,
Parshwa, Vardhaman- named ‘Twenty four Tirthankara’
, have been leaders of the present Dharma Tirtha in this Bharat Kshetra.
Specifically worshipped by Indra etc. in Garbh-Janma-Tapa-Gyan-Nirvana
Kalyanaks , they are now stationed in Siddhalaya, our Namaskar to them.
Further, Seemandhara, Yugandhara, Baahu,
Subaahu, Sanjatak, SwayamPrabh, Vrashabhanan, Anant Veerya, SoorPrabh, VishalKeerti, Vajradhar,
Chandranan, ChandraBahu, Bhujangam, Ishwara, NemiPrabhu, Veersen, MahaBhadra,
DevaYash, AjitVeerya- named these ‘Twenty Tirthankara’ are stationed in Panch
Meru related Videh Kshetras at present along with Keval Gyan, our Namaskar to
them.
Although in ‘Parameshthi’ word these
are implicit, even so, in present period realising their importance, they have
been offered Namaskar separately.
Further, the uncreated Jina idols which are
existent in three loks; the properly created Jina idols which are existent in
Madhya Lok, by whose darshan etc. without dharma preachment, other objectives
of self are served, just as with darshan etc. of Tirthankara Kevali’s is
served, like that it occurs; hence our Namaskar to those Jina idols also.
Further, in accordance with the divine
preachment of Kevali, Ang-shastra created by Ganadhara, the granth etc. created
by Acharyas etc . in accordance with
them- all these are jina vachan ; which are recognised by the symbol of
Syadvad; they are non controversial by logical path, hence are Pramanik (true)
; they are cause for Tattva Gyan for Jiva , hence are beneficial; therefore our
Namaskar to them.
Further,
Chaityalaya, Aryika, supreme Shravak etc. dravya, Tirtha Kshetra etc. Kshetra,
Kalyanak – kaal etc. kaal and jewel trio etc. bhava; which are worthy of my
Namaskar, I offer my Namaskar to them and those who should be respected , I
offer them respect suitably.
In this way by offering veneration to favourites,
the Mangal has been carried out.
Now, how
those Arahant etc. are favourites? This is considered-
By means of
which the sukh is generated and dukh is eliminated, that act is called
objective and by means of which the objective is served, that only is desirable,
hence at this occasion for us , the attainment of Veetrag – Vigyan only is
objective since by means of it the perturbation free real sukh is attained and
all restlessness form dukh is destroyed.
The serving of objective by Arahant etc.
Further, this objective is served by Arahant
etc. How? This is considered-
The
manifestations of Atma are of three kinds- Sanklesh ( perturbed) , Vishuddha (pure) and Shuddha ( highly Pure).
The strong
kashaya form is Sanklesh ( perturbed) , weak Kashaya form is Vishuddha,
and without Kashyaya is Shuddha .
There harmful to own swabhava of the form of Veetrag-Vigyan, the
Gyanavarana etc. Ghati Karmas are
strongly bonded due to Sanklesh ( perturbed) manifestations and with vishuddha
manifestations weakly bonded and if the
vishuddha manifestations are strong then the strong bondage which was accrued
in the past is also weakened. With the Shuddha manifestations the bondage does
not accrue ; instead only Nirjara is attained.
The bhavas
of worshipping of Arahant etc. occur with weakness of Kashaya hence they are
Vishuddha Manifestations. Further, they are means for elimination of Kashaya ;
hence are cause for Shuddha manifestations. With such manifestations the Ghati
karma is weakened and easily Veetrag-Vigyan gets revealed; to the extent it is
weakened, to that extent it is revealed.
In this way with Arahant etc., our objective gets
served.
Or, observing the shape of Arahant
etc. or contemplation of their form or hearing their words or being nearby or
manifesting in accordance with them etc. form activities, being nimitta
immediately, weaken the ragas etc. and generate specific knowledge of
jiva-ajiva etc. ; hence this way also with Arahant etc. the objective of
Veetrag Vigyan form is served.
Here someone
may ask that with
these activities such objectives may be served, but do they also serve for such
objectives wherein the sensual pleasures are generated and the dukh is
eliminated ?
Its
answer- Those
Vishuddha manifestations of worship etc. form towards Arahant etc. result in
bondage of punya-prakriti of sata (vedaniya) of aghati karmas and if those
manifestations are strong then they weaken the asata(vedaniya) etc.
pap-prakriti bonded in the past or, by destroying them manifests in
punya-prakriti form and with the fruition of that punya, automatically
materials for sensory pleasures are obtained and with elimination of pap,
automatically the materials for cause of dukh get removed.
In this way this objective is also served by them.
Or, Devas
etc. are bhakta of Jina order, who provide the materials of sensory pleasures
to that bhakta purusha and remove the materials which are cause for dukh.
In this way
also this serving of such objective is carried out by those Arahant etc. but
with such purposes , no benefit to self is accrued since this soul , believing
good or bad in external materials with Kashaya bhavas , himself imagines
sukh-dukh. Without Kashaya the external materials are not provider of any
sukh-dukh , and Kashaya is totally perturbing ; therefore ‘desire for senses generated sukh
and being scared of dukh ‘ – this is delusion.
Further,
carrying out Bhakti of Arahant etc. with such objectives , on account of strong
Kashaya, results in Pap bandh only; hence it is not worthwhile for self to be
interested in such objectives. With the Bhakti of Arahant etc., such objectives are automatically
served.
In this way Arahant etc. are considered to be most
favourite.
Those Arahant
etc. only are supreme Mangal ; with Bhakti-bhava towards them param-mangal is
attained. ‘Mang’ means sukh , whom it ‘lati’ means brings; or, ‘Mm’ means ‘pap’
it ‘galayati’ means dissolves, such is Mangal. In this way by them both of these objectives are served;
hence they are param-mangal.
Reason for carrying out Mangalacharan
Here
someone asks- what
is the reason for carrying out Mangal in the beginning of the Granth ?
Its
answer- So that
Granth may be completed successfully without any hindrance due to pap; hence in
the beginning Mangal is invoked.
Here
argument- The other
faith people do not perform Mangal in this way, even then their Granth are seen
to be completed without hindrance; what
is the means there?
Answer- The Granth written by other faith
people incorporates opposite meanings flourishing Mithyatva and Kashaya bhavas
with strong fruition of Moha; hence their hindrance free completion would occur
without such Mangal only. If with such Mangal the Moha weakens , then how can such converse activity be performed?
We also
write Granth , wherein we shall incorporate the meanings nourishing Veetrag
Tattva Gyan which are cause for weakness of Moha. Its successful hindrance free
completion would occur with such Mangal only. If such Mangal is not performed
then Moha would be strong and then how can such good activity be completed?
Further,
he says- Be it so ,
but some one does not do such Mangal and
he is also seen to have sukh; the fruition of pap is not seen whereas someone
does such Mangal and he is not seen to have sukh and fruition of pap is seen;
hence how can the Mangal be there?
To him it
is told- The
Sanklesh-Vishuddhi manifestations of Jivas have different types, due to them
previously bonded karmas over different periods, fructify at the same time.
Just as someone had collection of lot of wealth in the past, he appears to be
wealthy even without earning at present and no loans are seen ; whereas the one
who has lots of loans in the past, for him in spite of earning a great deal,
only loans are seen and wealth is not seen. But upon consideration the earning
is cause for wealth only and not cause for debts.
In the same
way the one who has bonded with lot of punya in the past, for him without such
Mangal also, sukh is seen and fruition
of pap is not seen. Whereas one who has bonded with lot of pap in the past, for
him in spite of performing Mangal , the sukh is not seen and fruition of pap is
seen. But upon consideration such Mangal is means for sukh only and not for pap
fruition.
In this way above described Mangal serves to be
Mangal.
Further,
he says – Accepted ,
but the Devas etc. who are bhakta of Jina order, they did not assist the one
performing Mangal, nor did they punish the one not doing Mangal, what is the
reason for that?
Its
answer- The prime
reason for the sukh-dukh of jivas is fruition of own karmas , in accordance
with that external nimitta are attained ; hence the one whose pap is under
fruition, for him the nimitta of assistance does not occur and for the one
whose punya is under fruition, for him the nimitta of punishment does not
occur.
How that
nimitta does not happen, is told- The Devas etc. do not know all simultaneously with
Kshayopasham Gyan ; hence the knowledge of the one performing Mangal and not
performing Mangal occurs to some Deva only
at some time ; hence if the knowledge is
not there then how can they be assisted or punished and if knowledge is there ,
then if they themselves have very weak
Kashaya, the manifestations pertaining to
assisting or punishing do not occur at all and if strong Kashaya is
there then the affection towards Dharma is not there. These deeds require
medium Kashaya form manifestations and if such is not own capability then how
can it be done?
In this way the nimitta for assisting or punishing
does not occur.
If own
capability is there and with fruition of medium Kashaya with dharma affection
form such manifestations are there and at that time if they know the deed of
other jiva in dharma-adharma form , then some Devas assist some Dharmatma or
punish some Adharmi. In this way there is no rule pertaining to such Karya-
such clarification is provided.
Know this
– The desire for
sukh to occur, dukh to not occur, to get assistance, to inflict dukh, are
Kashaya forms and is cause of misery in immediate or future periods; hence
abandoning such desire, being
desirous of Veetrag-Vigyan only we have carried out Mangal of the form of
Namaskar etc. to Arahant etc.
Continued…