Rushibhaashit Sootraaani - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Rushibhaashit Sootraaani" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Rushibhaashit Sootraaani (ऋषिभाषितसूत्राणि) Author(s): Dipratnasagar, Deepratnasagar Publisher: Deepratnasagar Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/007208/1

Core Identity and Context:

"Rushibhaashit Sootraaani" (ऋषिभाषितसूत्राणि) translates to "Sayings of the Rishis" or "Words of the Sages." The text explicitly states that these are "Pratyekbuddhabhashitaani" (प्रत्येकबुद्धभाषितानि), meaning they are the teachings of individual enlightened beings, or Pratyekabuddhas.
The original Prakrit name for this scripture is "Isibhaasiya" (इसिभासिय).
This particular edition is a re-compilation (पुन: संकलन) by Muni Deepratnasagar, based on an earlier compilation and editing by Acharya Shri Anandasagar Surishwarji Maharaj Saheb (आचार्यदेव श्री आनंदसागर सूरीश्वरजी म. सा.). The original publication date of the edited version was 1927 AD (Vikram Samvat 1983).
The text is significant because it is not currently included in the standard list of 45 Anga Agamas of Jainism. However, it is counted as an Agama Sutra in the Pakshika Sutra and is listed as the fifth Kalika Sutra ('Isibhasia') in the Kalpa Sutra. It is also mentioned as the seventh Kalika Sutra in the Nandi Sutra.
The purpose of Muni Deepratnasagar's effort was to serve the Agamas and honor the work of Acharya Shri Sagaranand Surishwarji, making this valuable text accessible through modern methods like scanning and internet publication (jain_e_library.org).

Content and Structure:

The "Rushibhaashit Sootraaani" is a collection of discourses or sermons attributed to various enlightened beings (Pratyekabuddhas). The provided pages detail the table of contents and offer excerpts from the initial chapters, indicating a structure of "Adhyayan" (अध्ययन) or chapters, each named after a specific Rishi or teacher.

Key Teachings and Themes (Based on Excerpts):

The excerpts reveal a consistent focus on core Jain principles and ethical conduct. Common themes include:

Karma and Liberation: The central message revolves around understanding the workings of karma, the cycle of birth and death (samsara), and the path to liberation (siddhi, moksha).
- Cause and Effect: Many verses emphasize that actions (karma) lead to corresponding results. "As you sow, so shall you reap." (e.g., Pages 6, 7, 15, 16, 30, 31, 43).
- Cessation of Suffering: The goal is to understand the root causes of suffering (dukkha) and follow a path that leads to its cessation.
Ethical Conduct (Sila): The teachings strongly advocate for ethical living, emphasizing the avoidance of harmful actions.
- Five Great Vows (Pancha Mahavrata): Mention of abstaining from violence (panatipata), lying (musavada), stealing (adinnadana), sensual indulgence (maithuna), and possession (parigraha) appears repeatedly (e.g., Pages 6, 11, 30).
- Control of the Senses: Controlling the five senses is crucial for spiritual progress (e.g., Pages 25, 42, 57).
- Righteousness vs. Unrighteousness: The text distinguishes between righteous (ariya) and unrighteous (anariya) paths and actions (e.g., Page 28).
Mind and Emotions: The importance of controlling the mind and managing negative emotions like anger (krodha), pride (mana), delusion (maya), and greed (lobha) is highlighted.
- Anger: Anger is often depicted as a destructive fire that is difficult to extinguish (e.g., Pages 8, 50).
- Desire and Attachment: Attachment to worldly pleasures and desires is seen as a primary cause of suffering and continued rebirth (e.g., Pages 11, 23, 24, 30, 37, 41, 47, 52, 53, 54, 60, 61, 62).
The Nature of Reality: The teachings touch upon the impermanence of worldly things and the nature of existence.
- Impermanence: The transient nature of life, youth, wealth, and all worldly possessions is a recurring theme (e.g., Pages 33, 34).
- Attachment to the Body: The body is temporary, and attachment to it or its pleasures leads to suffering (e.g., Pages 8, 31, 62).
Knowledge and Wisdom (Jnana): True knowledge and wisdom are essential for discerning the right path and overcoming ignorance (ajñana). (e.g., Pages 30, 31, 36).
The Path of Renunciation: The text emphasizes renunciation and detachment as key to liberation.
Compassion and Non-violence (Ahimsa): Compassion towards all living beings is a fundamental principle (e.g., Page 60).

Structure of the Chapters (Adhyayans):

The book is divided into chapters, each attributed to a specific Pratyekabuddha sage. The provided pages list and provide excerpts from the first few chapters:

Chapter 1: Narada (नारद) (Pages 6-7)
Chapter 2: Vajjiaputta (वज्जियपुत्त) (Pages 7-8)
Chapter 3: Davila (दविल) (Page 8)
Chapter 4: Angarishi (अंगरिसि) (Pages 9-10)
Chapter 5: Pushpashala (पुष्फसाल) (Page 11)
Chapter 6: Valkalachiri (वल्कलचिरि) (Page 12)
Chapter 7: Kummāputta (कम्मापुत्त) (Page 13)
Chapter 8: Ketliputta (केतलिपुत्त) (Page 14)
Chapter 9: Mahakashava (महाकासव) (Pages 15-17)
Chapter 10: Tetliputta (तेतलिपुत्त) (Page 18)
Chapter 11: Mankhaliputta (मंखलिपुत्त) (Page 19)
Chapter 12: Janavakklya (जण्णवक्कीय) (Page 20)
Chapter 13: Bhyali (भयालि) (Page 21)
Chapter 14: Bahuk (बाहुक) (Page 22)
Chapter 15: Madhurāyanija (मधुरायणिज्ज) (Pages 23-24)
Chapter 16: Suryāyana (सोरियायण) (Page 25)
Chapter 17: Vidhu (विदु) (Page 26)
Chapter 18: Varshava (वरिसव) (Page 27)
Chapter 19: Āyāriyāyana (आयरियायण) (Page 28)
Chapter 20: Ukkal (उक्कल) (Page 29)
Chapter 21: Gāhāvajiya (गाहावइज्ज) (Page 30)
Chapter 22: Dagabhālīja (दगभालिज्ज) (Page 31)
Chapter 23: Rāmaputriya (रामपुत्तिय) (Page 32)
Chapter 24: Harigiri (हरिगिरि) (Pages 33-35)
Chapter 25: Ambada (अंबड) (Pages 36-37)
Chapter 26: Māyāṅgija (मायंगिज्झ) (Page 38)
Chapter 27: Vārattraya (वारत्तय) (Page 39)
Chapter 28: Adduija (अद्दईज्ज) (Pages 40-41)
Chapter 29: Vardhamāna (वद्धमाण) (Page 42)
Chapter 30: Vāyu (वायु) (Page 43)
Chapter 31: Pāsiya (पासिज्ज) (Page 44)
Chapter 32: Pinga (पिंग) (Page 45)
Chapter 33: Araṇija (अरुणिज्ज) (Page 46)
Chapter 34: Īśigiri (इसिगिरि) (Page 47)
Chapter 35: Addālaīja (अद्दालईज्ज) (Pages 48-49)
Chapter 36: Tārāyaṇīja (तारायणिज्ज) (Page 50)
Chapter 37: Śirigirija (सिरिगिरिज्ज) (Page 51)
Chapter 38: Sātiputriya (साईपुत्तिज्ज) (Pages 52-53)
Chapter 39: Sanjaja (संजइज्ज) (Page 54)
Chapter 40: Dīvāyaṇīja (दीवायणिज्ज) (Page 55)
Chapter 41: Indanāgīja (इंदनागिज्ज) (Page 56)
Chapter 42: Saumija (सोमिज्ज) (Page 57)
Chapter 43: Yama (जम) (Page 58)
Chapter 44: Varuṇa (वरुण) (Page 59)
Chapter 45: Vaiśramaṇīja (वेसमणिज्ज) (Pages 60-62)

Authenticity and Tradition:

The text cites its authority through references to other Jain scriptures like the Nandi Sutra, Kalpa Sutra, and Pakshika Sutra. The "Prāmaṇya" (प्रामाण्यं) section (Pages 64-65) discusses the authenticity and tradition of the Rushibhashita Sutras, mentioning their inclusion in other texts and the lineage of their teachings through various acharyas. It also references the concept of "Pratyekabuddhas" coming from different celestial realms or having lived in different eras.

In summary, the "Rushibhashit Sootraaani" is a significant Jain scripture attributed to Pratyekabuddhas, offering profound teachings on karma, ethics, mind control, and liberation. This edition, meticulously compiled and presented by Muni Deepratnasagar, aims to make these ancient and valuable insights accessible to a wider audience.