Agam Kathanuyoga Gujarati Part 01

The Jain text "Agam Kathanuyoga Gujarati Part 01" is a compilation and translation by Muni Deepratnasagar, published by Shrut Prakashan N1dhi. This book, part of a larger six-volume series, focuses on the narrative section of Jain Agams (Agam Kathanuyog).

Volume 1 Specifically Covers:

• Kulkar Kathas (Stories of the Kulkaras): This section details the lives and legacies of the Kulkaras, who were early patriarchs and leaders in the Jain tradition, instrumental in establishing societal order and customs. The text outlines different traditions regarding their numbers (seven, ten, or fifteen) and provides biographical sketches of key Kulkaras. It explains the concept of 'dandniti' (justice system) during their times and the role of Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling trees).
• Tirthankar Charitros (Biographies of the Tirthankaras): This is a significant portion of the book, focusing on the lives of the Tirthankaras. It begins with an introduction to what a Tirthankar is – one who establishes the Tirth (the four-fold Jain community: monks, nuns, laymen, and laywomen) and preaches the Jain doctrines.
  • It describes the qualities of Tirthankaras, their auspicious birth signs (14 mahasvapnas), their inherent knowledge from birth, and their superiority over other great souls like Chakravartis and Vasudevas.
  • The text details the concept of 'Kalyanakas' – the five significant life events of a Tirthankara: Chyavan (descent into the womb), Janma (birth), Diksha (renunciation), Kevalgyan (omniscience), and Nirvana (liberation). It mentions that these events are celebrated by celestial beings.
  • It clarifies that there are twenty-four Tirthankaras in each half-cycle of time (Utsarpini and Avasarpini) in Bharatkshetra and Airavatakshetra.
  • Detailed Biographies of the First Twenty-Four Tirthankaras: The book then proceeds to provide summaries of the lives of the Tirthankaras of the current cycle, starting from the first Tirthankara, Lord Rishabhdev.
    • Lord Rishabhdev: His birth, his family lineage (descended from the Kulkara Vimalavahan), his twelve virtuous characteristics, the thirty-four types of Atishayas (supernatural powers/qualities), his marriage to Yasomati and Sunanda, his coronation as the first Tirthankara and Chakravarti of Bharatkshetra, his establishment of the Tirth, his initial religious teachings, the significance of his 108 auspicious marks, his practice of the thirteen types of penance, and his eventual attainment of omniscience and nirvana. The text also mentions the contributions of his immediate disciples and the formation of the Jain Sangha. It highlights his role in establishing the Kulkara system and his lineage. The narratives of his previous lives, including the story of Dhanya Sarthavah, are also presented. The book meticulously details his lifespan, his celestial protectors (Indras), and the events of his birth, diksha, and nirvana, including the celestial celebrations. The stories of his sons, Bharat Chakravarti, and Bahubali are also touched upon.
    • Lord Ajitnath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events.
    • Lord Sambhavnath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events.
    • Lord Abhinandan: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events.
    • Lord Sumatinath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events.
    • Lord Padmaprabh: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events.
    • Lord Suparshvanath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events. The text mentions his unique characteristic of being born with a serpent hood-like mark.
    • Lord Chandraprabh: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events.
    • Lord Suvidhinath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, including his alternative name Pushpadant.
    • Lord Shitalnath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, noting his name derived from the calming influence he brought.
    • Lord Shreyansnath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, including the story of his first alms.
    • Lord Vasupujya: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, noting he was the only Tirthankara born in the central part of Bharatkshetra and the only one who married.
    • Lord Vimalnath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events.
    • Lord Anantnath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events.
    • Lord Dharmanath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, highlighting his name associated with Dharma.
    • Lord Shantinath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, noting his name linked to peace and his incarnation as the fifth Chakravarti.
    • Lord Kunthunath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, mentioning his seventh Chakravarti status.
    • Lord Aranath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, noting his eighth Chakravarti status.
    • Lord Maljinath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, highlighting the exceptional aspect of being a female Tirthankara and her vows.
    • Lord Munisuvrat (Neminath): His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, including his connection to Nemi and his lineage. The text clarifies the distinction between Munisuvrat and Neminath, often considered the same soul in different contexts.
    • Lord Neminath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, including his family connections to Krishna Vasudeva and the narrative of his aversion to marriage due to witnessing the suffering of animals.
    • Lord Parshvanath: His previous life, birth, lifespan, and key events, notably mentioning his previous life as a serpent and his encounter with the serpent Kamathi, which led to his divine protection. His previous life as Lord Mahavira's disciple, Mulganidatta, is also alluded to.
    • Lord Mahavir: His extensive previous lives, the divine circumstances of his birth (transfer from Devananda to Trishala), the celestial celebrations, his naming, his divine signs, his childhood prowess, his renunciation, his severe penances and austerities, the twelve years of challenges (upasarga) he faced, his attainment of Kevalgyan (omniscience), his establishment of the four-fold Jain community (Sangha), and his final Nirvana. The text emphasizes his unique character and the extraordinary events surrounding his life.

The book also provides a detailed index of all the stories and characters covered within the six volumes of the Agam Kathanuyog series, indicating the specific volumes and sections where each narrative can be found. It serves as a comprehensive guide to Jain hagiographical literature.

This first volume lays the foundation for understanding the lives of the most significant figures in Jainism, presented through narrative accounts derived from the sacred Agams.