Atmasiddhi

Author(s): Shrimad Rajchandra, Manu Doshi
Publisher: Manu Doshi

Page 6

PREFACE
Since I started reciting Ätmasiddhi Shästra during the eighties, I wanted to bring out its English version and prepared its translation. It was, however, noticed that the real significance of the original text could not be brought out within the bare translation. Detailed explanatory notes were necessary. So I started to prepare them. But the more I recited the text, the more I noticed that the notes were far from satisfactory. Therefore, I decided to wait, until I could gain a better comprehension of the text.
The Institute of Jainology (London) wrote me a letter in 1998 suggesting that if I prepare the translation with explanatory notes, it will publish the same on the occasion of the first centenary of Shrimad's passing away. That prompted me to start writing. The work was accordingly completed by the end of 1999. But the Institute later on decided not to publish the same. However, it gets the credit of prompting me to write, since I would not have perhaps embarked upon the project in absence of their suggestion.
Meanwhile I was keeping in touch with Shrimad Räjchandra Adhyatmik Sädhnä Kendra, Kobä in order to get a `Forward' from the revered Ätmänandji. He responded favorably and agreed to write the Forward, which appears in this book. Encouraged by his response, I tried to figure out whether his Organization would like to publish my work. I am happy that they agreed and the book sees the light of the day.
In writing these notes, I have tried to bring out what is implicit in the great work, particularly taking care that the translation remains true to the original text. To be sure, I presented my translation to Dr. Räkeshbhai Zaveri of Mumbai (Bombay) and I feel gratified that he has appreciated the same.
Some sanctity is attached to the number 18 in Indian tradition. There are 18 Parva in Mahäbhärat, 18 armies were involved in that war, the war lasted for 18 days, Geetä has 18 Adhyäys (chapters), there are 18 Purāns and 18 Abhisheks are performed on the occasion of Pratishthä. Ätmasiddhi Shästra also can be divided into 18 parts comprising, the background, characteristics of the sectarian, those of the truth seekers, Statement of Six Fundamentals, 6 types of pupil's questions, 6 replies thereto, the pupil's self-realization and the conclusion. In this book I have dealt with these 18 parts in 18 chapters. On the analogy of 18 Adhyäys of Geetä, these 18 chapters of Ätmasiddhi Shästra can be termed as Adhyätma Geetä.
In Vedic tradition, Upanishads are the source of high spiritual wealth. Upanishad literally means the spiritual science that can be learnt by sitting at the feet of a preceptor and that exactly applies to Ätmasiddhi. If one wants to grasp the inner significance of Ätmasiddhi Shästra, it needs to be studied as such. It can therefore be termed as an Upanishad. Since it mainly deals with the soul, it can be called Ätma Upanishad or Ätmopanishad. Many non-Jains have adopted it as such and have been reciting the same regularly.
The presentation in the book has been made in the following order. Every stanza of the original text is first given in Gujarati script followed by English transliteration. Thereafter my translation is given, followed by the explanatory notes and discussion. At the end, there are two appendices. The first contains the versified translation of Ätmasiddhi Shästra prepared by revered Brahmachariji under the title 'Self