Importance of SWAADHYAAYA - Scriptural View:

Jainism prescribes six kinds of internal penance: Atonement (PRAAYASHCHITTA), reverence (VINAYA), service to the worthy (VAIYAAVRITYA), study of scriptures (SWAADHYAAYA), relinquishment of pride and ego (VYUTSARG) and meditation (DHYAAN). As an internal penance, study of scriptures plays a significant role in our spiritual advancement.

SAMAN SUTTAM states:

Of the twelve kinds of penance, external and internal,
practiced religiously by insightful individuals,
there is not a penance and there will not be any
that is equal to the penance of study of scriptures.(1)

UTTARAADHYAYAN Sutra states:

Discerning mendicants (monks) regularly observe righteous conduct. They divide the day into four segments (PRAHARAs) of three hours each. They study the scriptures in the first segment, meditate in the second, seek necessities in the third and study the scriptures in the fourth.(2)

Insightful mendicants practicing righteous conduct, divide the night as well into four segments. They study in first segment, meditate in the second, sleep in the third and study in the fourth.(3)

This implies that a monk should study the scriptures for twelve hours and perform meditation for six hours out of twenty-four hours.

Acharya Mahaprajna expresses similar thoughts: Yogi does meditation after completing SWAADHYAAYA, and SWAADHYAAYA after meditation. With the treasure of SWAADHYAAYA and meditation, the light (pristine attributes) of a supreme soul is discerned.(4)

Acharya Umaswati says: One should make a continuous and enthusiastic effort with mind, body and speech to study the scriptures, ponder over them, discuss and teach others, and contemplate on the attributes of a pure soul.(5)

Acharya Amitgati, exalting the importance of the study of scriptures, states: Without the light that comes from study, it is impossible to rid oneself of the darkness of ignorance.(6)

Shrimad Rajchandra studied the scriptures religiously and greatly emphasized the importance of the knowledge of scriptures. Describing the qualities of a preceptor, he said: Knowledge of self, equanimity, activities as prescribed, superb speech and mastery over scriptures are the characteristics of a true teacher (GURU). He further added: In the absence of a teacher, the scriptures dealing with the existence of soul and other entities serve as an invaluable resource for a devotee.(7)

SWAADHYAAYA and Its Goals:

The Sanskrit word SWAADHYAAYA consists of two words: SWA that means 'self' (soul - pure consciousness) and ADHYAAYA that represents 'study'. Thus SWAADHYAAYA literally means study of the attributes of soul and its relationships with the other entities of the universe such as matter, space and time. It also means study of the scriptures by the self. Acharya Kundkund professes that study of scriptures leads to self-realization. He states: The five kinds of knowledge are sensory knowledge (MATI JNAAN), literal (scriptural) knowledge (SHRUT JNAAN), extraordinary knowledge (clairvoyance, AVADHI JNAAN), mental knowledge (telepathy, MANAHAPARYAYA JNAAN) and absolute knowledge of reality (omniscience, KEVAL JNAAN). All these pertain to the same state - self-realization, which leads to ultimate salvation (MOKSHA).(8)

The eminent acharya continues: Those who are devoid of this attribute of knowledge, even though they indulge in several righteous activities, do not attain this state (self-realization). If one desires complete liberation from bondage, one must contemplate upon this state of knowledge of reality.(9)

Acharya Kundkund reinforces the same concept in the following couplet: One who possesses an unequivocal knowledge of the nature of karmic bondage as well as of the nature of the self escapes all material association and attains liberation by shedding all karmas.(10)

Essentially, the goal of SWAADHYAAYA is to gain insight into aspects of reality including the nature and attributes of a pure soul, its relationship with karmas and the path to salvation. One reinforces one's rational perception and expands one's rational knowledge through meditation and study of scriptures. Such an endeavor leads to self-realization and equanimity.

One minimizes one's indulgence in external objects and turns inward. In this manner, one gives up the life of an extrovert soul (BAHIRAATMA) and becomes an introvert soul (ANTARAATMA). Through such spiritual pursuit, one attains the pristine state of a liberated soul (PARAMAATMA).

In plain words, the study of scriptures is the first step to self-improvement. It entails a firm determination and discipline. It helps us to keep our emotions pure, our thoughts focused on spirituality and thereby maintain our mental health. According to some scriptures, SWAADHYAAYA is one of the six essentials (daily obligatory duties, AAVASHYAKs) for householders. It is also an aspect of righteous meditation (DHARM DHYAAN).

SWAADHYAAYA - Study of Scriptures:

SWAADHYAAYA is divided into five parts as described in SAMAN SUTTAM:

The five kinds of study of scriptures are reading,
repetition, discussion to elucidate their meanings,
contemplation to grasp the scriptural knowledge
and respectful narration of religious episodes.(11)

Thus the five parts of SWAADHYAAYA are:

1. Reading (VAACHANA) the scriptures and understanding their meaning.

2. Questioning (PRICHCHHANA) - asking questions to clarify the meaning and concepts.

3. Repetition (PARIVARTANA) - repeating or reciting the scriptures with a view to reinforce the concepts.

4. Contemplation (ANUPREKSHA) - pondering over the contents, meaning, concepts and significance of the scriptures. In this phase, the votary meditates on questions such as "Who am I?", "Why am I suffering?" and "How can I end my state of worldly existence?"

5. Narration of religious episodes (DHARM KATHA) - study and teaching of stories from scriptures illustrating the religious concepts. In this phase, the listeners are kept interested and involved. The basic tenets of religion are reinforced by these religious stories. SWAADHYAAYA can be done in a discussion group where every member contributes to the discussion. Peer support considerably helps in the process. The group can select a scripture dealing with the basic teachings of religion such as the nine elements (NAV TATTVAs), read it and discuss it. We should keep in mind that SWAADHYAAYA is an internal penance which should be performed without any attachment (RAAG) or aversion (DWESH).

SWAADHYAAYA - Study of Self:

At a down-to-earth level, study of self involves looking into one's own nature to find out one's weaknesses like anger, pride, greed, attachments, cravings, jealousy and hatred. One tries to gradually eliminate these from one's life. One remains watchful so that one does not pick up any new weaknesses. One also practices and fortifies virtues like straightforwardness, compassion, nonviolence, detachment, contentment, forgiveness and equanimity. The perception and knowledge that bring these changes are rational perception and knowledge (SAMYAK DARSHAN and SAMYAK JNAAN).

Summary:

SWAADHYAAYA is one of the internal penances. It is an integral part of the life of a monk, who is expected to perform it for twelve hours out of twenty-four. SWAADHYAAYA is one of the six essential duties (AAVASHYAK) of a householder. It is included in righteous meditation (DHARM DHYAAN). SWAADHYAAYA encompasses introspection and pure thoughts which, in turn, lead to rational conduct.

Footnotes:

1) SAMAN SUTTAM, couplet 479. Please also see Jain Study Circular, April 1996, pages 3-6. Back up

2) UTTARAADHYAYAN Sutra, chapter 26, couplets 11-12. Back up

3) UTTARAADHYAYAN Sutra, chapter 26, couplets 17-18. Back up

4) SAMBODHI, page 258. Back up

5) PRASHAMARATI PRAKARAN, couplet 185. Back up

6) Amitgati SHRAAVAKAACHAAR, xiii-83. Back up

7) AATMASIDDHI, couplets 10 and 13. Back up

8) SAMAYASAAR, couplet 204. Back up

9) SAMAYASAAR, couplet 205. Back up

10) SAMAYASAAR, couplet 293. Back up

11) SAMAN SUTTAM, couplet 475. Back up

Please also see Jain Study Circular, January 1997, pages 22-24.

Professor S. Chandrasekhar was awarded the Noble Prize in Physics in 1983, jointly with Professor W. Fowler, for his theoretical studies on the structure of stars and their evolution. He is a nephew of Dr. C. V. Raman who had won the Noble Prize for Raman Effect.

Dr. Chandrasekhar stresses that he has a sense of international loyalty to humanity, and that he is not necessarily committed to the old-fashioned concept of "right or wrong, my country". He said, "My loyalty is not parochial or flag-waving type of thing. My first loyalty is to science."

He added, "I do not by any means consider myself superior. I have constantly tried to improve myself."

Dr. Chandrasekhar, an ascetic, looks a bit out of place in the high-rise building in the Chicago University campus where he lives with his wife.

Dr. Chandrasekhar has not drifted from his Indian moorings. He is a strict vegetarian, a teetotaller and a non-smoker. He proudly points out how all the dinners given in his honor at American universities have served only vegetarian menus. Though Dr. Chandrasekhar classifies himself as an atheist, those who are close to him say he regularly reads Gita.

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