Soul Science Part 02

Author(s): Parasmal Agrawal
Publisher: Kundakunda Gyanpith

Page 21

XIX
Panchastikaya Sangraha - This scripture covers five Astikaya - soul, matter (Pudgal), Dharm, Adharm, and space (Aakash); six Dravya - Kaal (time) and five Astikaya; and nine Tattva - soul, non-soul, virtue, vice or sin, Aasrav (influx of Karma), Samvar (stoppage of influx of Karma), Nirjaraa (partial shedding of previously bonded Karma), Bandha (bondage of Karma), and Moksha (liberation or complete shedding of all Karma) - in very simple manner. In the end, Acharya Kundakund describes the path of liberation from the real as well as relative point of view.
Ashtapaahuda - As its name indicates, this scripture has eight chapters. It describes essential philosophy and provisions which are helpful in maintaining internal and external conduct of a monk. Thus it provides guidelines to every monk as well as to Acharya (the head of a group of monks) to maintain internal as well as external discipline. This scripture has proved very much helpful in preventing the monks going away from the path of non-attachment.
Samayasaar - This is the most outstanding scripture. The objective of this scripture is to show pure soul. In stanza 5, Acharya Kundakund explicitly mentions that in this scripture he is going to show the indivisible soul separate and distinct from others. Oneness with the pure soul leads one to the way to liberation. The first commentary of Samaysaar in Sanskrit entitled Aatmakhyati was written by Acharya Amritchandra who walked on this earth nearly 1000 years before us and 1000 years after Acharya Kundakund. Nearly 300 years after Acharya Amritchandra, the next commentary entitled Tatparyavratti was written by Acharya Jayasen, again in Sanskrit. One may find the translation of Samayasaar in many Indian languages. Samayasaar means the soul in essence. In Kalash 244 of Aatmakhyati, Acharya Amritchandra writes, 'Na Khalu Samaysaarat uttaram Kinchit Asti.' [Meaning: In reality, nothing is greater than Samaysaar, i.e., Samaysaar is the best.]
It would be worthwhile to have a glimpse of different scriptures of Acharya Kundakund through some original stanzas together with their meanings: