Kundakunda Acharya and Jain Philosophy

Author(s): Jayantilal Jain
Publisher: Research Foundation for Jainology Chennai

Page 37

HII NIYAMASARA This scripture contains 187 couplets and the following 12 chapters. - 1. Jeeva (soul). 2. Ajeeva (Inanimate) 3. Shuddhabhava 4. Vyavaharacharitra 5. Paramarthapratikaramana 6. Nishchayapratyakhyana 7. Paramalochana 8. Shuddhanishchayaprayashchita 9. Paramasamadhya 10. Paramabhaktya 11. Nishchaya Paramavashyaka 12. Shuddhopayoga
Shri Padmaprabhamaldharidey has written commentary on this work known as "Tatparyavrati". It is in Sanskrit. Shri Sheetalprasad has done its Hindi translation.
According to the Acharya, what is worthy to be done as a rule is a "Niyam' and right belief, right knowledge and right conduct are worthy to be adopted as a rule (Niyam). The word 'Sara' has been suffixed to Niyama so that it may not convey any other meaning. In this way Niyamasara means right faith, right knowledge and right conduct.
The speciality of this scripture is that it contains a detailed discussion about paramaparinamikabhava. This exists in all forms of the soul - from existence in Nigoda to Moksha. This is the everlasting, continuous, uneffaceable and unique bhava of the self. Absence of knowledge about this bhava is responsible for unending process of cycle of births and deaths and acquisition of its knowledge is the prime objective of teachings and practices prescribed under Jainism. Cause and effect relation in the self have been made very clear. Similarly, cause and effect relations in atoms have also been discussed. The main feature is that according to this, the bhavas, other than the Paramaparinamika Bhava, are not conducive to the path towards Moksha and have no effect whatsoever. Thus, Shudha Atmatattva has been