Kundakunda Acharya and Jain Philosophy

SR No.: 007643
Original Sutra Author: N/A
Author: Jayantilal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology Chennai
Publication Year: 1997
Total Pages: 66
Language: English
Classification: Book_English
File Size: 3 MB

Page 34

are interconnected. The forms are not without matter and the matter is not without the forms. Qualities are not without a matter and a matter is not without qualities. Thus these are inseparable. A true thing cannot be destroyed and a false thing cannot be created.
The path of salvation lies in unshakable absorption of soul with own self. It is the nature of the soul to attain self-realisation which is not separate from the soul itself By attaining self-realisation the soul gets rid of the bondage of deeds, i.e., it gets salation.
First part of this scripture deals with the right knowledge about the Shuddhatmatattva (pure soul) and the second part of the scripture tells the path leading to the achievement of Shuddhatmatattva. 11 PRAVACHANASARA In the beginning of Pravachanasar, Acharya Kundakunda has interpreted the eternal principle of right conduct of Jaina philosophy. According to him, the conduct is undoubtedly the Dharma, the Dharma stands for equanimity and the equanimity knows no attachment or sorrow and it is caused by the realisation of the Atma (soul). This scripture deals with knowledge, knowable and conduct. The book contains 275 couplets as mentioned in the commentary written by Amritchandra Acharya, but according to the commentary written by Jayasen Acharya it contains 317 couplets. This book has been found very useful to understand the essence (real meaning) of Jain Dharma.
Hindi commentary of Pravachanasara has been written by Pande Hemaraj and he has written that the conduct is of two types -- non-attached and attached. The nonattached conduct leads to Salvation (Moksha). So this itself is like a Moksha. But the conduct having attachments has a bondage. So, the Jnanees have been advised to get rid of the conduct having attachments whatsoever and to adopt the conduct full of non-attachment.
According to the ninth couplet, a soul has three types of Bhavas - good (shubha), bad (Ashubha) and pure (shuddha). If a soul acting according to the Dharma has Shuddha Bhava, it gets Salvation (Moksha), if it has Shubha Bhava it gets Swarga (Heaven) and
21