Angdi Chindhunu

This Jain text, "Angdi Chindhunu" by Ratnasundarsuri, is a collection of moralistic narratives presented as stories of past lives and the consequences of actions. The book aims to illustrate the principles of Jainism, particularly karma, dharma, and the importance of virtuous conduct, through vivid and often cautionary tales.

Here's a summary of the key narratives and their underlying messages:

1. The Monk of the Lion's Cave (Page 1-2): This story highlights the subtle nature of pride and envy among spiritual aspirants. Three monks, each undertaking a challenging vow for their Chaturmas (four-month monastic retreat), are given permission by their Guru. One chooses to stay near a snake's den, another in a lion's cave, and the third near a prostitute's house. While all survive and complete their vows, the monk who stayed near the prostitute receives higher praise, leading to envy and resentment in the monk who faced the lion's danger. This envy breeds disrespect towards the Guru, demonstrating how even spiritual endeavors can be corrupted by negative emotions.

2. Muni Kandrik (Page 2-4): This narrative focuses on the perils of attachment to worldly comforts, particularly refined food. Muni Kandrik, a highly accomplished monk, falls ill, and his brother, King Pundrik, cares for him. While recovering, Kandrik develops a taste for rich food. Despite regaining his health, he clings to these comforts and neglects his spiritual duties. This attachment leads him to abandon his monastic vows and ultimately results in his rebirth in a lower realm due to his indulgence and lack of detachment.

3. Brahmin Devsharma (Page 5-7): This story emphasizes the destructive power of attachment, specifically to one's spouse. Devsharma is counseled by Lord Mahavir's chief disciple, Gautam Swami, to renounce worldly life. However, his intense attachment to his wife prevents him from embracing the spiritual path. Tragically, he dies shortly after the encounter and is reborn as a louse on his wife's head, illustrating the severe consequences of overwhelming attachment.

4. King Shrenik (Page 7-9): King Shrenik, a devoted follower of Lord Mahavir and destined to become a Tirthankar, is shown to have a past life where his actions lead to immense suffering. Despite his devotion in the present life, he experiences hellish suffering in a past existence due to his cruel act of killing a deer and its unborn fawn out of pride and arrogance. This story emphasizes that even great devotion cannot erase the karmic repercussions of past cruelties.

5. Mamman Sheth (Page 9-11): Mamman Sheth's story illustrates how misplaced remorse and regret can nullify good deeds. He generously offers a special sweet (Simh Kesari Modak) to a monk. However, upon learning how delicious it was and regretting the act of giving it away, his subsequent remorse spoils the merit of his good deed, leading him to a painful rebirth in hell. This highlights the importance of performing good deeds with a pure and appreciative heart, free from regret.

6. Acharya Manghu (Page 11-13): Acharya Manghu, a learned and charismatic monk, falls prey to attachment to sensory pleasures (ras-garav) and pride in his accomplishments (riddhi-garav). This leads him to abandon his spiritual discipline, neglect his duties, and ultimately meet a tragic end, being reborn as a yaksha due to his pride and misconduct. His story serves as a warning against the dangers of pride and attachment to worldly achievements.

7. Muni Ashadhbhuti (Page 13-15): Muni Ashadhbhuti, a monk with miraculous powers, succumbs to his desire for sensory pleasure. Driven by his attachment to a sweet morsel, he repeatedly transforms himself to obtain it, eventually being corrupted by a dancer's daughter. This lust leads him to abandon his vows and ultimately suffer a terrible fate. The story cautions against the lure of sensual pleasures and the importance of controlling one's desires.

8. Dharmaatma Marubhuti (Page 15-17): Marubhuti, a virtuous soul, faces the consequences of his brother Kamatha's treachery. Kamatha has an illicit affair with Marubhuti's wife. When Marubhuti tries to intervene and appeals to the king, Kamatha is exiled. However, Marubhuti, filled with remorse and a desire to forgive, goes to meet Kamatha. Kamatha, consumed by hatred, kills Marubhuti. This incident underscores the destructive nature of hatred and the complexities of karmic retribution.

9. Manakhli's Son Goshalak (Page 17-19): Goshalak, a close associate of Lord Mahavir, becomes his adversary. Despite receiving teachings and powers from Mahavir, Goshalak remains antagonistic, even attempting to harm Mahavir with a fire-based power. His rebellious attitude and misinterpretations of spiritual principles lead him to a cycle of suffering in various hellish and animal realms. This narrative emphasizes the importance of correct understanding and the severe consequences of rejecting true spiritual guidance.

10. Sadhvi Lakshmana (Page 19-21): Sadhvi Lakshmana, after a tragic early widowhood, embraces Jain monasticism. However, she succumbs to lustful thoughts while witnessing the mating of Chakwa birds. Though she confesses and undertakes severe penance, her inner conflict and the subtle nature of her transgression lead to continued suffering in future lives. This story highlights the pervasive nature of desires and the difficulty of complete mental purification.

11. Tapasvi Agnisharma (Page 21-23): Agnisharma, mocked for his deformed body, takes a vow of intense fasting and austere practices, fueled by the humiliation he suffered. He dedicates himself to the vow, but his attachment to the results of his penance, particularly the desire for a proper meal after each fast, leads to disappointment and frustration when his vows are unmet. This frustration causes him immense suffering and rebirths in lower realms, demonstrating how attachment to the fruits of penance can be detrimental.

12. Marichi (Page 23-25): Marichi, a soul destined to become the 24th Tirthankar, initially abandons the path of righteousness out of pride and attachment to his privileged lineage. He adopts a false spiritual path, disassociating himself from true Jain teachings. His arrogance and intellectual pride lead him to further karmic entanglement, delaying his eventual spiritual liberation. This tale serves as a stark warning against pride and the dangers of deviating from the true spiritual path.

13. Sthulabhadra (Page 25-27): Sthulabhadra, renowned for conquering lust, demonstrates the subtle pitfalls of pride even in spiritual discipline. He conceals himself from his sisters by transforming into a lion. While initially demonstrating his powers, this act of displaying his knowledge for show rather than for genuine spiritual growth leads to a loss of further advancement and a reprimand from his Guru. This illustrates that even great knowledge can be rendered ineffective if not used with humility and for the right purpose.

14. Acharya Skandsuri (Page 27-29): Acharya Skandsuri, a respected leader, faces a challenge when his followers are asked to demonstrate their adherence to Jain principles. He makes a pronouncement about the impurity of a monastic order that allows contact with women, but then allows a nun to touch his feet. This perceived hypocrisy leads to his downfall and the forfeiture of his potential to become a Tirthankar. The story emphasizes the importance of consistency between words and actions, especially for spiritual leaders.

15. Muni Phoolvalak (Page 29-31): Muni Phoolvalak, possessing powerful miraculous abilities, succumbs to envy and anger towards his Guru. His actions, driven by these negative emotions, lead to his downfall and a corrupted spiritual path. He is ultimately tricked by a dancer and loses his spiritual purity, illustrating the destructive power of envy and anger, even for those with extraordinary abilities.

16. Muni Jamali (Page 31-33): Jamali, a disciple of Lord Mahavir and initially a follower of the spiritual path, falls into intellectual pride and stubbornness. He disputes Mahavir's teachings and claims to have attained omniscience, leading to his eventual downfall and rebirth in a lower realm. This narrative highlights the importance of humility, the acceptance of truth, and the dangers of intellectual arrogance in spiritual pursuits.

17. Acharya Sumangal Suri (Page 33-35): Acharya Sumangal Suri, despite his spiritual accomplishments and adherence to vows, becomes attached to a yogapatta (a belt worn for support). This attachment, though seemingly minor, prevents him from achieving the highest spiritual state, as he prioritizes his comfort over complete detachment. The story warns against even subtle attachments that can hinder spiritual progress.

18. Queen Kalavati (Page 75-77): Queen Kalavati, due to a past life karmic retribution, suffers the loss of her hands after a misunderstanding related to armlets. This punishment is a consequence of her past life's action of hurting a bird out of envy. The story emphasizes the far-reaching consequences of actions, even those seemingly minor, and the persistence of karma across lifetimes.

19. Maharani Durgandha (Page 35-37): Maharani Durgandha, born with a foul-smelling body, is a result of her past life's aversion and contempt towards a Jain monk. Her extreme aversion and the subsequent karmic repercussions lead to her suffering. This narrative highlights the severe consequences of disrespect and aversion towards righteous beings.

20. Mrigaputra (Page 37-39): Mrigaputra, born with a severely deformed body and enduring immense pain, is revealed to have accumulated this suffering through his past life actions as a cruel official who inflicted severe punishments on his subjects. This story powerfully illustrates the principle of karma, where actions directly lead to corresponding consequences, even across lifetimes.

21. Chakravarti Brahmadata (Page 39-41): Brahmadata, a powerful emperor, becomes blinded by pride and lust for revenge. His actions, driven by these negative emotions, lead to immense suffering and rebirths in hellish realms. His lust for conquest and his misguided quest for revenge ultimately result in his utter downfall. This story emphasizes the destructive nature of pride, anger, and vengeance.

22. Nagashri (Page 41-43): Nagashri, a virtuous woman, inadvertently offers bitter gourd to a monk. Her subsequent remorse and regret over wasting the ingredients, rather than appreciating the act of offering, lead to her misfortune. This tale highlights how even seemingly small acts of regret and attachment can have significant karmic consequences.

23. Sadhvi Rohini (Page 43-45): Sadhvi Rohini, a learned and devout nun, falls into the habit of gossip and slander (vikatha). Despite her spiritual discipline, her indulgence in gossip leads to her downfall and rebirths in lower realms. This narrative strongly warns against the dangers of malicious talk and the importance of guarding one's speech.

24. Queen Kubersena (Page 87-89): Kubersena, a courtesan, abandons her children due to her attachment to her youthful beauty. Her children are adopted and later unknowingly marry each other. This incestuous union, a consequence of her past actions, leads to immense suffering and the eventual spiritual awakening of her daughter. The story reveals the complex and often hidden web of karma and its far-reaching consequences.

25. Munivar Bhuvanatilak (Page 78-79): Bhuvanatilak, a prince with exceptional musical talent, is exiled and later embraces Jainism. However, he struggles with attachment to his worldly identity and the praise he receives. His subtle pride and attachment to external validation hinder his spiritual progress, leading to repeated rebirths in lower realms. This tale highlights how even refined attachments can impede spiritual liberation.

26. Rupasen (Page 79-81): Rupasen, a prince, is driven by lust and becomes entangled with a princess. His actions, stemming from his desire, lead him through a cycle of suffering across various animal forms, illustrating the devastating impact of lust and attachment.

27. Munivar Tarachand (Page 81-83): Tarachand, a young prince, witnesses the destruction of his kingdom and suffers immense hardship. He embraces Jainism and practices rigorous penance, but his lingering resentment towards his enemies and his subtle pride in his penance prevent him from achieving complete liberation. This story emphasizes the need for complete detachment and the eradication of all subtle negative emotions.

28. Munivar Pitr (Page 95-97): Maniyar Nand, initially a virtuous person, falls prey to the influence of wrong company and develops pride in his good deeds, particularly his construction of wells. This pride leads him to neglect his spiritual duties and ultimately causes him to be reborn as an animal in his own well. The story warns against pride and the importance of maintaining spiritual focus.

29. Devani (Page 92-93): Devani's story highlights the karmic consequences of past actions, specifically the subtle attachment and potential envy between sisters-in-law. Her past life actions involving stolen gems lead to her current suffering and the loss of her children, underscoring the subtle yet powerful workings of karma.

30. Rudra Dev (Page 94-95): Rudra Dev, influenced by his wife Somama's spiritual awakening, becomes resentful and attempts to harm her. This hatred and attachment lead him to a cycle of suffering, including rebirths as animals and ultimately a hellish existence. The story emphasizes the destructive nature of hatred and the importance of cultivating positive emotions.

31. Nand Maniyar (Page 96-97): Nand Maniyar, a wealthy philanthropist, becomes attached to his good deeds and the admiration he receives for building wells. This pride leads to his downfall, being reborn as an animal in his own well. The narrative warns against the subtle dangers of pride and the importance of selfless service.

32. Brother Arjun (Page 98-99): Arjun, a servant, is caught in an illicit relationship with his employer's wife, Narmada. His actions lead to his murder and subsequent suffering in various animal forms, all connected to his attachment to Narmada and the karmic consequences of his actions. This tale illustrates the devastating impact of lust and the far-reaching nature of karma.

33. Brother Vibhavasu (Page 98-100): Vibhavasu, a proud and arrogant prince, punishes a group of washermen out of sheer arrogance. His pride leads to a cycle of suffering and multiple unfortunate rebirths, emphasizing the severe consequences of arrogance and disrespect.

34. Muni Bhudev (Page 99-100): This narrative is incomplete in the provided text but likely continues the theme of consequences for actions.

35. Queen Suryakanta (Page 68-70): Queen Suryakanta, driven by jealousy and lust, murders her husband, King Pradeshi, who had embraced Jainism. Her actions lead to her own downfall and immense suffering. This story highlights the destructive power of lust and jealousy.

36. Munivar Bhudev (Page 99-100): This narrative is incomplete in the provided text but likely continues the theme of consequences for actions.

37. Devi Ravananda (Page 70-71): Devananda's story, though incomplete, begins to illustrate the karmic consequences of past actions, potentially related to mental attachments and their impact on rebirth.

38. Muni Tarachand (Page 81-83): Tarachand, a prince, experiences hardship and embraces Jainism. However, his subtle pride and attachment to external validation hinder his spiritual progress. His story shows that even with spiritual practices, subtle negative emotions can lead to suffering.

39. Muni Bhuvanatilak (Page 78-79): Bhuvanatilak, a prince with exceptional musical talent, is exiled and later embraces Jainism. However, he struggles with attachment to his worldly identity and the praise he receives. His story highlights how even refined attachments can impede spiritual liberation.

40. Rudra Dev (Page 94-95): Rudra Dev, influenced by his wife Somama's spiritual awakening, becomes resentful and attempts to harm her. This hatred and attachment lead him to a cycle of suffering, including rebirths as animals and ultimately a hellish existence. The story emphasizes the destructive nature of hatred and the importance of cultivating positive emotions.

41. Muni Tarachand (Page 81-83): Tarachand, a prince, experiences hardship and embraces Jainism. However, his subtle pride and attachment to external validation hinder his spiritual progress. His story shows that even with spiritual practices, subtle negative emotions can lead to suffering.

42. Muni Bhuvanatilak (Page 78-79): Bhuvanatilak, a prince with exceptional musical talent, is exiled and later embraces Jainism. However, he struggles with attachment to his worldly identity and the praise he receives. His story highlights how even refined attachments can impede spiritual liberation.

Overall Message: "Angdi Chindhunu" is a profound exploration of the Jain concept of karma. Each story, while unique in its circumstances, consistently reinforces the idea that every action, thought, and word has karmic consequences that shape one's present and future lives. The book emphasizes the importance of:

• Detachment: Overcoming attachment to sensory pleasures, worldly possessions, and even spiritual achievements is crucial for liberation.
• Humility and Non-Violence: Pride, arrogance, anger, hatred, and violence lead to immense suffering.
• Righteous Conduct: Adhering to dharma, virtuous actions, and spiritual discipline are essential for a favorable karmic outcome.
• Mindfulness: Controlling one's thoughts, speech, and actions is paramount, as even subtle negative tendencies can lead to significant karmic repercussions.
• Controlling Desires: The uncontrolled pursuit of sensory pleasures and the inability to manage desires are depicted as the root cause of much suffering.

The book uses compelling narratives to inspire readers towards a more mindful and virtuous life, urging them to learn from the examples of both those who achieved spiritual liberation and those who fell prey to their own negative propensities.