आचार्य हेमचंद्रसूरि कृत भवभावना ग्रंथ और मनोविज्ञान
By Sadhvishree Priyashubhanjanashree
Summary
The article explores the subject of the mind, focusing on the text Bhavabhavana Granth by Acharya Hemachandrasuri and its connection to modern psychology. The author argues that the mind holds immense, often unimaginable power over human life and spiritual liberation. The text explains that Jain philosophy divides the mind into two parts: dravya man, which is the physical structure, and bhava man, which is the conscious energy of the soul. This bhava man is deeply linked to karma. The article notes that mental feelings, or bhavas, are the primary cause of karmic bondage and release. When a person experiences negative emotions like anger, it leads to severe karmic bondage, whereas positive emotions lead to spiritual progress. The author highlights that the mind is the highway to liberation. Only a samnask, or conscious, thinking being can achieve right faith and advance on the path to moksha. To support this, the article compares Jain concepts with modern psychological findings. It cites the Charak Samhita, which lists the five functions of the mind as chintya, vicharya, oohya, dhyeya, and sankalpya. The author also references Upanishads like the Maitrayani and Tejobindu, which state that the mind is the root of both bondage and liberation. Furthermore, the article presents evidence from modern science and spiritual texts. It describes experiments by the agricultural scientist Alan Ward, who used autosuggestion to make a thorny rose plant grow without thorns. It also mentions Nobel laureate Walter Cannon, who showed that positive thoughts boost the body's immune system. Additionally, the text references the Japanese water experiment, where water exposed to "love" and "hate" developed different chemical properties. Ultimately, the author concludes that there is a close relationship between the psychology of emotions and ancient Jain literature, as both recognize the profound impact of the mind on our physical and spiritual well-being.
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Conclusion
This article establishes a profound conceptual alignment between Acharya Hemachandrasuri’s *Bhavabhavana* and modern psychology, demonstrating that the psychological power of human emotions is a timeless reality. It highlights that Jain philosophy categorizes the mind into physical and conscious forms, while modern psychology divides it into conscious, subconscious, and unconscious levels, both of which dictate human behavior. The key finding is that emotions—whether auspicious or inauspicious—directly impact physical health, hormonal balances, and spiritual liberation. Through examples like autosuggestion, experiments by scientists, and the transformative power of *Anupreksha* (reflection), the text proves that mental states govern karma and overall well-being. Ultimately, the research underscores that ancient Jain texts accurately anticipated modern psychological principles, emphasizing that cultivating pure, focused emotions is essential for personal transformation and spiritual emancipation.