Annikaputra Charitram

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Annikaputra Charitram" by Shubhshil Gani, based on the provided pages:

The "Annikaputra Charitram" is a Jain narrative detailing the life and spiritual journey of a virtuous individual, highlighting key Jain principles and the consequences of actions.

The Story Begins with King Shrenika and Kautilya: The text opens by introducing King Shrenika of Rajgriha, known for his just rule. However, his son, Kautilya (also referred to as Konik), driven by ambition, imprisons his father and seizes the throne. Kautilya, suffering from the sin of patricide, later establishes a new city.

Kautilya's Demise and the Founding of a New City: Kautilya, seeking to achieve supernatural powers (chakri-ratna), attempts to attain certain powers in a cave. However, he is consumed by flames and is reborn in the sixth hell. His son, Udayin, inherits the kingdom. Udayin is deeply saddened by the remnants of his father's actions in Champanagari. His ministers suggest establishing a new city to lift his spirits.

The Omens and the Palasha Tree: While searching for a suitable location for the new city, the ministers and astrologers find a vibrant Palasha tree on the banks of the Ganges. They observe a bird catching insects that fall into its mouth, leading them to believe that prosperity will naturally come to the city established there.

The Significance of the Palasha Tree: An astrologer explains the extraordinary nature of this Palasha tree. It is said to have originated from the skull-cup of a great sage. This leads to the recounting of the story of Devadatta, a merchant's son from Uttaramathura.

Devadatta and Annika: Devadatta visits Dakshinamathura and is invited to dine at the house of Jayasimha, another merchant's son. While there, Devadatta is captivated by Annika, Jayasimha's sister-in-law (the wife of his brother). Devadatta expresses his desire to marry Annika. Jayasimha agrees, stating that he would offer his beloved sister to someone who stays in his household, not to an outsider. Devadatta accepts this condition.

Devadatta's Dilemma and Annika's Filial Piety: Devadatta and Annika live happily together. Devadatta receives a letter from his aging parents in Uttaramathura, expressing their longing to see him. Annika, seeing Devadatta's distress, learns the reason. Despite Devadatta's initial reluctance to break his promise to Jayasimha, Annika emphasizes the importance of parents, stating that there is no greater holy place than them. She persuades Devadatta to return to his parents, assuring him that her brother will understand.

The Birth of Annikaputra: Devadatta, touched by Annika's devotion, returns with her to Uttaramathura. Annika, in her advanced pregnancy, gives birth to a divine son on the way. They name him "Annikaputra" (son of Annika), though he is also known by other names given by his grandparents.

Annikaputra's Spiritual Path: As Annikaputra grows, he renounces worldly pleasures, listens to the teachings of gurus, and becomes devoted to religious practices. He eventually takes initiation from Acharya Jayasimha. He diligently studies the scriptures and attains the position of an Acharya.

Annikaputra Acharya's Teachings and the City of Pataliputra: Acharya Annikaputra, with his followers, arrives at Pushpabhadra city on the banks of the Ganges. The king, Pushpaketu, has twin children, Pushpochul and Pushpochula. Fearing the sorrow of separation if they marry separately, Pushpaketu arranges their marriage. The queen, Pushpochula, protests, but the king disregards her concerns.

The King's Vision and the True Nature of Hell and Heaven: The queen is deeply unhappy with the incestuous marriage. The text describes how Pushpavati Jivadevi (likely a divine being or a representation of past karma) shows Pushpochula disturbing dreams of hellish torments. Terrified, she reveals this to her husband, King Pushpaketu, who performs rituals to appease the spirits.

Acharya Annikaputra is consulted about the nature of hell. Various religious preceptors (Buddhists, etc.) offer different explanations, none of which accurately represent the true nature of hell. When asked by the king, Acharya Annikaputra explains the true nature of hell based on Jain scriptures. He clarifies that he has not seen it in a dream but knows it through the teachings of omniscient beings. He further explains that the causes of birth in hell are excessive attachment, violence, acting against gurus, consumption of meat, and other sins.

The divine being then shows the king the true nature of heaven. Other spiritual guides describe worldly pleasures as heavenly bliss. Acharya Annikaputra rectifies this by explaining that true heavenly bliss is attained through the service of the Jinendras as described in the scriptures, leading to immense joy in the twelve heavens.

Queen Pushpochula's Renunciation and Kevala Jnana: Queen Pushpochula, enlightened by the teachings, expresses her desire for renunciation to the king. The king reluctantly agrees, asking her to remain in his household and take pure food. She accepts and takes initiation. She practices pure living and, through dedicated service to Acharya Annikaputra and rigorous penance, attains Kevala Jnana (omniscience).

Acharya Annikaputra's Sacrifice and Salvation: During a famine, Acharya Annikaputra sends most of his disciples to different regions, remaining with a few who are physically weak. Queen Pushpochula, now a Sadhvi, continues to serve them with pure food and drink. Her unwavering devotion and service lead to her Kevala Jnana, which even her guru, being in the state of shedma stha (not yet omniscient), doesn't fully recognize.

One day, while fetching food during rain, she demonstrates her understanding of subtle matters by carefully avoiding water bodies. This amazes the guru, who realizes he had inadvertently committed an offense by not recognizing her omniscience. He asks her if he will attain Kevala Jnana. She assures him that he will after crossing the Ganges.

As they cross the Ganges in a boat, the boat sinks wherever Acharya Annikaputra sits. The passengers, in their panic, throw him into the water. Due to the karma from a past life, where his former wife, now transformed, had a grudge, he is impaled on a spear underwater. However, Acharya Annikaputra, meditating on the principle of not harming aquatic life with his blood, continues his penance. Through the destruction of all his karmas, he attains Kevala Jnana and, having reached the end of his lifespan, achieves liberation (moksha).

The Founding of Pataliputra and its Significance: The place where this event occurred becomes known as "Prayag." The text explains that the practice of self-inflicted wounds by some ascetics is a legacy of this event. The skull of Acharya Annikaputra, tossed by waves, washes ashore and is buried. A Palasha seed falls into it, grows into a tree, and the tree's shade covers a significant area. The king, remembering the astrologer's prediction, orders the establishment of a new city there, named Pataliputra (due to the Palasha tree). The city flourishes, becoming a magnificent city that rivals heaven, with numerous temples, libraries, and charitable institutions.

King Udayin's Devotion and Teachings: King Udayin, the ruler of this city, receives religious instruction from Acharya Annikaputra. He is taught about the importance of dharma for obtaining worldly pleasures, health, and ultimately salvation. He learns that irreligion leads to suffering, poverty, and servitude. The king is particularly impressed by the teachings on the glory of the Shatrunjaya pilgrimage and the merits of worshipping the first Tirthankara, Lord Rishabhanatha (Yugadideva).

The Pilgrimage and King Udayin's Legacy: King Udayin organizes a grand pilgrimage to Shatrunjaya and later to Mount Girnar to worship Lord Neminatha. He performs various religious rites and honors the four-fold Jain community. Upon returning to Pataliputra, he continues his devotion through temple construction, daily prayers, and repentance. As he grows old, he entrusts the kingdom to his son and, after a life of religious practice, attains salvation.

In essence, the "Annikaputra Charitram" is a narrative that illustrates the principles of karma, renunciation, devotion, the importance of gurus and scriptures, and the ultimate goal of liberation in Jainism, through the lives and actions of its characters.