Amardatt Mitranand Charitra - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Amardatt Mitranand Charitra," based on the provided pages:

Title: Amardatt Mitranand Charitra (The Lives of Amardatt and Mitranand) Author: Shravak Hiralal Hansraj Publisher: Shravak Hiralal Hansraj Publication Year: 1892 (Samvat 1947)

Overview:

The "Amardatt Mitranand Charitra" is a Jain narrative that aims to guide readers away from the detrimental effects of the four passions (Krodh - anger, Maan - pride, Maya - deceit, and Lobh - greed). The book emphasizes the importance of righteous conduct, renunciation, and devotion to Jain principles to avoid suffering and attain liberation. The text recounts the life stories of Amardatt and Mitranand, highlighting their past lives, the consequences of their actions (karma), and their eventual path towards spiritual upliftment.

Key Themes and Narrative Elements:

The Dangers of Passions (Kashayas): The preface strongly warns against the four passions, identifying them as the source of immense suffering and the cause of rebirth in lower realms (hell, animal kingdom). The story of Mitranand serves as a prime example of the severe consequences of succumbing to these passions.
The Life of Amardatt:
- Amardatt's story begins with his parents, King Makaradhwaj and Queen Madansena, who were deeply devoted to Jainism.
- Upon noticing his father's gray hair, Queen Madansena encourages him to pursue religious activities, highlighting the impermanence of life.
- King Makaradhwaj decides to renounce his kingdom and take Diksha (ascetic initiation) along with his wife.
- During their ascetic life, Queen Madansena conceives.
- She gives birth to a son, named Amardatt, in a forest.
- Tragically, the queen falls ill due to improper diet and passes away.
- The infant Amardatt is taken in by a merchant named Devdhar and his wife Devsena in Ujjain.
- Amardatt grows up with a daughter named Sursundari, and a rumor circulates that Devsena had twin births.
The Life of Mitranand and His Trials:
- Mitranand, the son of a merchant named Sagar and his wife Mitrashri, becomes close friends with Amardatt.
- While playing near the Shipra River, Amardatt's quoit (moidaandi) lands in the mouth of a corpse hanging from a tree.
- The corpse miraculously speaks, warning Mitranand that he will also be trapped in a similar way. This encounter deeply frightens Mitranand, who withdraws from play.
The Story of Jnangarbh Mantri and the Prevention of Calamity:
- Amardatt recounts the story of Jnangarbh, a wise minister to King Jitshatru.
- A soothsayer predicts that Jnangarbh and his family will face death within a fortnight due to his eldest son.
- Jnangarbh cleverly secures his son in a locked chest filled with provisions, intending to protect him.
- However, a different calamity occurs: the minister's son, Subuddhi, kills a princess and cuts off her hair, leading to the king's wrath and a decree for the minister's execution.
- The chest is opened, revealing the son with the princess's hair and a knife, proving his culpability.
- Jnangarbh reveals that he had foreseen a different son's involvement and had tried to prevent it. He attributes his foresight and eventual protection to the principles of Jainism.
- The king, understanding the complexity of karma and the limitations of foresight, spares Jnangarbh and his son. Both the king and the minister eventually take Diksha.
Mitranand's Continued Suffering and Amardatt's Counsel:
- Mitranand is still troubled by the corpse's prophecy. Amardatt tries to console him, suggesting it might be a phantom's trick or mere jest.
- Amardatt emphasizes courage and the power of knowledge and determination, citing Jnangarbh's example.
- Mitranand remains fearful, believing that fate cannot be avoided.
The Journey to Patliputra and Amardatt's Attachment:
- The friends travel to Patliputra. In a garden, they find a beautiful palace with a lifelike statue of a woman.
- Amardatt becomes infatuated with the statue, refusing to leave it, which worries Mitranand.
- A merchant, Ratnasar, who built the palace, tries to reason with Amardatt, but his attachment to the stone statue is too strong.
Mitranand's Quest for the Sculptor and the Encounter in Avanti:
- Mitranand learns the sculptor, Shur, lives in Soparak, Konkan. He decides to seek him out to understand the statue's origin.
- Mitranand travels to Avanti. He overhears a proclamation offering a thousand gold coins for guarding a corpse for a night.
- The offer is due to a cholera epidemic. Mitranand, driven by the need for funds, accepts the challenge.
- He bravely guards the corpse through the night, facing demonic entities (Shakini, Pishach).
- He retrieves a bracelet from a demoness, which later identifies the king's daughter as the demoness.
- The merchant who hired him cheats him out of the promised reward.
Mitranand's encounter with the Courtesan:
- Mitranand, now with some money, visits a courtesan named Vasantatilaka.
- He dedicates himself to meditation and righteous practices, resisting the courtesan's attempts at seduction.
- He learns from the courtesan that her daughter is friends with Princess Ratnamanjari of Avanti.
The Role of Princess Ratnamanjari and the Revelation of Past Lives:
- Mitranand uses the courtesan to convey a message to Princess Ratnamanjari, who recognizes Amardatt's name from a letter she had sent to him previously.
- Ratnamanjari, intrigued by this seemingly impossible situation, arranges for Mitranand to meet her secretly.
- Mitranand, despite the danger and the king's orders, overcomes obstacles to meet the princess.
- He learns about his past life and the circumstances that led to his current predicament.
The Prophecy and Mitranand's Demise:
- The story reiterates the prophecy made by the corpse: Mitranand meets a similar end, hanging from the banyan tree.
- His death is a consequence of his past actions, particularly his association with the vengeful ghost.
Amardatt's Ascension to Kingship and Mitranand's Rebirth:
- Amardatt becomes king of a neighboring kingdom.
- The narrative reveals that Mitranand's soul is reborn as the son of Amardatt and Ratnamanjari, named Kamalgupth.
- The text traces the karmic connections: Amardatt, Ratnamanjari, and Mitranand were related in past lives. Amardatt was Kshemankar, Ratnamanjari was Satyashri, and Mitranand was their servant Chandsen. Their actions in that life, including verbal abuse and adherence to religious practices, shaped their current destinies.
The Teachings of Acharya Dharmaghosh:
- The story includes the teachings of Acharya Dharmaghosh, who explains the significance of Samayik (a Jain spiritual practice) and the consequences of attachment and detachment.
- He narrates the story of Jain Shravak Simh, who achieved liberation through dedicated Samayik despite facing severe physical torment.
- He also explains the story of Jinrakshit and Jinsukh, highlighting the dangers of uncontrolled desires and the benefits of detachment and adherence to Jain principles.
The Author's Intent and Conclusion:
- The author, Hiralal Hansraj, concludes by urging readers to heed the lessons of the story and avoid the pitfalls of the four passions.
- He emphasizes the importance of righteous conduct, self-discipline, and adherence to Jain dharma to achieve true happiness and liberation.
- The book concludes with a poem in praise of Guru Mohanlalji, reflecting the author's devotion and the spiritual lineage from which he draws inspiration.

Overall Message:

The "Amardatt Mitranand Charitra" serves as a cautionary tale and a guide for spiritual seekers. It underscores the Jain belief in karma, the cyclical nature of birth and death, and the ultimate goal of liberation (moksha). The narrative illustrates how even in seemingly dire circumstances, adherence to Jain principles and seeking spiritual guidance can lead to eventual salvation. The text emphasizes self-control, detachment from worldly pleasures, and consistent practice of religious duties as the path to overcoming suffering.