Anuttar Yogi Tirthankar Mahavir Part 03

This is a comprehensive summary of "Anuttar Yogi: Tirthankar Mahavir Part 03" by Virendrakumar Jain, based on the provided text:

Anuttar Yogi: Tirthankar Mahavir Part 03 is the third volume of a monumental biographical novel on the life and teachings of Lord Mahavir. The author, Virendrakumar Jain, embarked on a courageous and unprecedented creative endeavor, aiming to break free from centuries of sectarian interpretations and present Mahavir in his elemental, universal form as a "world-man."

Key Themes and Innovations:

• Unconventional Portrayal: The novel aims to be the first purely creative work of its kind, presenting Lord Mahavir not just as a religious figure but as a "world-man," liberated from the confines of religious sectarianism that has spanned twenty-five centuries.
• Myth and History Harmonized: The author artfully blends limited available historical accounts with profound imaginative insight. He directly "interviews" Mahavir through his inner vision, resulting in a daring portrayal that bridges the historical and the supra-historical.
• Mahavir as Human and Supra-human: For the first time, Mahavir is depicted in his complete human form – as a child, youth, ascetic, Tirthankar, and finally, as the revered Lord Mahavir. The novel brings him to life on the soil of present-day India, making him relevant and contemporary.
• Spiritual Consciousness with Psychology: The work is described as a unique experiment in lending psychological depth to spiritual consciousness. It intricately connects sensory and supra-sensory experiences, a combination rarely found in world literature.
• Dialogue with the Present: The language used in Mahavir's sermons resonates with the personal, public, material-spiritual, social, economic, and political problems of our era, offering profound and original solutions. Mahavir is presented as both timeless and contemporary.
• Sensory Experience of the Infinite: The novel uses creative expression to make the concepts of infinite space and time an empirical experience for the reader.

Content of Part 3 (धर्मचक्र-प्रवर्तन - The Setting in Motion of the Dharma Chakra):

This volume focuses on the pivotal moment of Lord Mahavir initiating his mission and setting the wheel of Dharma in motion. The provided pages detail:

• The Search for an Audience (श्रोता की खोज में): This chapter opens with a dramatic cosmic event shaking the heavens of Indra and Shachi. Their divine realm is disrupted, signifying a profound shift in the cosmic order. This celestial upheaval is attributed to the attainment of Kevala Gnan (omniscience) by Lord Mahavir on the banks of the Rijuvalika river in Magadha. The divine beings, recognizing this momentous event, descend to earth to construct the Samavasarana.
• The Samavasarana (त्रैलोक्येश्वर का समवसरण): This extensive section vividly describes the divine assembly or Samavasarana created by the gods for Mahavir's first sermon. It's depicted as a magnificent, multi-layered structure of incredible beauty, housing countless beings from all realms – gods, humans, animals, and celestial beings. The author meticulously details the various levels, pavilions, symbolic pillars (Manastambha), gardens, water bodies, and their intricate spiritual significance. The text highlights the profound sense of peace, liberation, and unity experienced by all assembled.
• The Conversion of the First Disciples: A significant portion of the text focuses on the intellectual and spiritual journey of prominent individuals who were drawn to Mahavir's teachings and became his first disciples. Notably, the intellectual giant Indrabhuti Gautama, along with his two brothers Agnihoti and Vayubhuti, and eight other prominent scholars, are depicted engaging in profound philosophical dialogues with Mahavir. Their initial skepticism and intellectual resistance are gradually overcome by Mahavir's logic, compassion, and profound understanding of universal truths, especially the concept of Anekanta (multiplicity of viewpoints). Their eventual acceptance of Mahavir's path marks a crucial step in establishing the Jain order.
• The Inaugural Sermon: The volume culminates with the setting in motion of the Dharma Chakra, Mahavir's first public discourse. This sermon is presented not as rigid dogma, but as a profound unveiling of the nature of reality, the soul, karma, and the path to liberation. It addresses the fundamental issues of existence, suffering, and the means to overcome them. The text emphasizes the universality of Mahavir's message, transcending all social and religious barriers.

Author's Intent and Vision:

Virendrakumar Jain's ambition with "Anuttar Yogi" is to liberate Lord Mahavir from the confines of sectarianism and present him as a universal teacher, a "world-man" whose message is timeless and relevant to all humanity. The novel aims to offer a fresh, creative, and profoundly spiritual understanding of Mahavir's life, making him accessible and relatable to the modern reader by addressing contemporary issues through his timeless wisdom. The author's vision is to present a comprehensive, multi-faceted portrayal that encompasses the historical, philosophical, spiritual, and deeply human aspects of this extraordinary Tirthankar.

The summary highlights the book's attempt to provide a pure, creative interpretation of Mahavir's life, free from the constraints of sectarian dogma, and to present him as a universal figure who offers solutions to modern-day problems. The detailed description of the Samavasarana and the conversion of key figures like Indrabhuti Gautama underscores the book's focus on the initial stages of Mahavir's mission.