Jainism Key to Reality

SR No.: 007600
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Shuganchand Jain
Publisher: Digambar Jain Trilok Shodh Sansthan
Publication Year: 2011
Total Pages: 416
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 19 MB

Page 7

Preface
Tatty rthas tra is one of the most important holy texts of Jain religion, which is one of the oldest religions of India. It covers all aspects of Jain philosophy and is the source to other literary works as it has seeds of all metaphysical, ontological, ethical and philosophical topics concerning Jainism. Jainism is divided into many sects and subsects since ancient days, but all sects accept Tattv rthas tra faithfully. None have doubted its authenticity like Namok ra mantra. There is no other text like Tattv rthas tra, which is accepted by all sects of Jains. This is the first Jain religious text written in Samskrta as earlier texts were all written in Pr krata language. Being written in Samskrta, and in aphoristic form, it holds a unique place in the overall Indian tradition and hence even the other Indian philosophical schools study this text.
There are two names prevailing for Tatty rthas tra namely: 1. Tattv rthas tra and 2. Moksa Šāstra. It is known as Moksa Šāstra on the basis of the style used for naming other Jain texts also. The word Mokşa is the first word used in its auspicious practice verse in the beginning itself as well as it has detailed expositions of moksa and the path to attain moksa (Bliss / emancipation / liberation from transmigration). However this text is popularly known as Tattv rthas tra because it explains the tattvas (basic elements/ verities) in the aphoristic style. It is necessary to know that goal of life is liberation / mokṣa and hence to know it, is to know the seven tattvas. Explaining the seven tattvas, there are totally 10 chapters (adhy yas) in this text. They are as follows:
Chapter No.
Tattva
No. of aphorisms
No. of questions
1st to the 4th
167
5th
64
J va (sentient) Aj va (non-sentient)
rava (inflow) Bandha (bondage) Samvara- nirjar (Stoppage and dissociation) Moksa (liberation)
65 26
1518 366 590 330 447
94
-
47
10th
54
TOTAL
357
3005
The tattvas are described in the aphoristic style which supports the name Tatty rthas tra.
It has been mentioned that aphorisms (sutras) are very rich in content, full of meanings and it is difficult to understand their meanings. Therefore one has to be very cautious about reading and interpreting them. Accordingly there are many Jain preceptors (c ryas) who have written commentaries on this text. There are more than 100 commentaries on it. It is difficult to talk of all of them here, but let us mention the following four important ones:
1.
Sarv rthasiddhi: c rya Pujyap da has written this commentary in 5th century A.D. This appears to be a very balanced commentary. All the aspects and topics are covered in a simple manner. The later c ryas have kept it intact