I can help you shape a literature review on shravak kartavya from a Jain Dharma perspective. Below is a concise, research-ready outline you can adapt for a proposal. I keep to Jain concepts and point out where Digambar and Shwetambar traditions diverge.

1) Topic definition and scope

• Shravak kartavya refers to the duties, ethical obligations, and disciplinary practices expected of a lay Jain household follower (śrāvak), as distinct from the monastic path.
• Core aim in literature: how these duties support spiritual progress (guna-dhara, bhakti, jnana, and samyak darshan) within the lay context.
• Delineation: exclude monastic vows (vratas) but include Anuvratas, daily conduct, study (svādhyāya), temple/sangha participation, dana, and penance as practiced by laypeople.

2) Core concepts and common themes in the existing literature

• Ethical framework for lay life: non-violence (ahiṃsā), truth (satya), non-stealing (asteya), celibacy or restraint appropriate to the lay state, non-possessiveness (aparigraha). Many studies treat these as the backbone of shravak kartavya.
• Scriptural underpinnings: discussions of lay duties appear in canonical and commentarial texts that address how Śrāvaks should comport themselves, study, and support the sangha.
• Practices for spiritual progress: svādhyāya (study of scriptures), bhakti (devotion/aradhana), participation in puja and sangha activities, charity (dāna), and penance (prāyashcitta) as appropriate for lay practitioners.
• Interaction with monastic ideals: how lay duties are framed as supports to, or compromises with, the stricter ascetic ideal.
• Social and communal dimensions: role of lay members in the maintenance of temple life, accessible teaching, and transmission of Jain ethics to households and communities.
• Normative vs. adaptive understandings: how shravak kartavya is interpreted in different social contexts (urban vs. rural, different castes or communities) and how it evolves with modern Jain movements.

3) Traditions and points of divergence to note

• Digambar vs. Shwetambar: identify where texts and commentaries differ on:

- The scope of lay vows and the degree of asceticism expected of lay followers. - Specific practices emphasized for the laity (e.g., fasting, vrata practices, and the interpretation of aparigraha). - Etiquette of study, temple participation, and the role of women in lay duties.

• Where possible, record the exact doctrinal points (e.g., which duties are foregrounded in Digambar sources vs. Shwetambar sources) and how scholars justify these differences.

4) Key sources and how to use them (without quoting directly here)

• Primary scriptures often cited in discussions of shravak duties include sections that outline lay conduct, vows, and discipline, as well as digests that compare monastic and lay obligations.
• Important commentaries and sub-tradition texts explain how to apply the lay duties in daily life, family ethics, and community service.
• Secondary scholarship typically analyzes:

- How shravak kartavya is framed within the path to liberation for lay followers. - The sociocultural factors shaping lay practice in different Jain communities. - The historical evolution of lay vows and practices in medieval and modern Jain scholarship.

• When you write your literature review, you should extract:

- Definitions of shravak kartavya given by different scholars. - Reported practices (svādhyāya frequency, sangha involvement, dana patterns) and the rationale behind them. - Theoretical models used to understand lay ethics in Jainism (e.g., tension between renunciation and family life, or the role of aparigraha in household ethics).

5) Methodological approach for your review

• Assemble sources from canonical Jain texts and respected Jain commentaries first, then move to modern scholarly analyses (Indology, religion, ethics).
• Compare how different Jain sects present lay duties, and map debates or shifts over time.
• Identify gaps: e.g., limited treatment of how shravak duties intersect with modern professional life, gender roles in shravak practice, or regional variations in lay practice.
• Propose a framework for your own study (qualitative textual analysis, historical-comparative approach, or field-based study of contemporary lay communities).

6) Potential research questions (sample, to sharpen your proposal)

• How do Digambar and Shwetambar sources differently define the scope and practice of shravak kartavya?
• In what ways does aparigraha manifest in contemporary lay communities, and how is it taught and reinforced through svādhyāya and sangha activity?
• What is the perceived relationship between shravak duties and progress on the path to moksha for lay followers?
• How have modern Jain movements (diaspora, reformist currents) reinterpreted or expanded shravak kartavya?
• How do gender and family roles shape the articulation and practice of shravak duties in different Jain communities?

7) Suggested structure for the literature review section

• Introduction: define shravak kartavya and its importance in Jain practice.
• Theoretical lens: outline the Jain ethical framework (ahimsa, satya, asteya, brahmacharya/celibacy in the lay sense, aparigraha) and how they support lay conduct.
• Canonical foundations: summarize what primary Jain texts say about lay duties (differences noted between traditions where applicable).
• Scholarly debates: synthesize how modern scholars interpret these duties, noting points of agreement and contention.
• Gaps and questions: clearly state what remains underexplored or controversial.
• Operationalization: explain how your research will address these gaps (methods, sources, expected contributions).

8) Practical tips

• Keep the review tightly focused on shravak kartavya as a lay-duties framework, rather than broad Jain ethics.
• When citing, differentiate clearly between Digambar and Shwetambar positions.
• Use examples from ritual practice, study routines, and charitable activities to illustrate how theory translates into lived practice.
• If you include a comparative table or appendix, it can help readers quickly see where traditions converge or diverge.

If you’d like, I can tailor this outline to fit a specific proposal length (e.g., 2,000 words or 4,000 words) and suggest a targeted list of Jain texts and scholarly works you can cite. If you want, I can also help convert this outline into a literature review draft with custodian Jain terminology and precise, tradition-respecting language.