अष्टपाहुड : एक विहंगावलोकन
By डॉ. हुकमचन्द भारिल्ल
Summary
The text discusses the *Aṣṭapāhuḍa*, a work by Ācārya Kundakunda, consisting of 503 verses divided into eight sections. It is presented as a timeless critique of laxity in religious practice, particularly relevant in the current era of increasing moral decline. The text asserts that this work has served as a crucial check against such decline for two thousand years and will continue to do so until the end of the fifth epoch. It argues that without this text, the state of religious discipline would be far worse. The summary then outlines the content of each of the eight *pāhuḍas* (sections). The first, *Darśanapāhuḍa*, emphasizes that right faith (*samyagdarśana*) is the root of all dharma. It states that those without it are not worthy of veneration, regardless of their scriptural knowledge or austerities. The second, *Sūtrapāhuḍa*, stresses the importance of following the scriptural path as taught by the Jinas, asserting that deviation from it leads to continued worldly existence. It describes the three types of religious attire, with the naked state of a Digambara monk being supreme. The third, *Cāritrapāhuḍa*, distinguishes between the conduct of right faith and the conduct of restraint, stating that liberation requires both. The fourth, *Bodhapāhuḍa*, explains eleven sacred sites, clarifying that from a real perspective, a faultless monk embodies all of them. The fifth, *Bhāvapāhuḍa*, strongly emphasizes inner purity over mere external renunciation. It describes the endless suffering in the cycle of birth and death due to lack of true spiritual feeling (*bhāva*), arguing that external monkhood without inner transformation is futile. It concludes that liberation comes from abandoning inner attachments, not just outer ones.
Conclusion
The document underscores the enduring relevance of the *Aṣṭapāhuḍa* as a critical corrective against moral laxity within the Digambara Jain community, a role it has maintained for two millennia. Its primary implication is that without this text’s constant admonition, the erosion of ascetic discipline would have been far more severe. The outcome is a preserved, albeit imperfect, standard of conduct; the work acts as a necessary restraint on unchecked permissiveness. For spiritual aspirants, the conclusion is clear: deep study and propagation of this text are essential to safeguard the purity of the Jina’s path. Ultimately, the *Aṣṭapāhuḍa* remains indispensable for countering the increasing laxity of the current era, ensuring that the core principles of right faith, knowledge, and conduct continue to guide the community toward liberation.