Apradh Kshan Bhar Ka

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Apradh Kshan Bhar Ka" (Crime of a Moment) by Yogesh Jain, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Apradh Kshan Bhar Ka (Crime of a Moment) Author: Yogesh Jain Publisher: Mukti Comics (as part of the Smt. Dhudhibai Khemraj Gidiya Granthamala)

Overall Theme and Purpose:

"Apradh Kshan Bhar Ka" is a comic book aimed at educating children (specifically ages 5-10) about the consequences of actions, even those that seem brief. The comic uses the life story of King Shrenik (a disciple of Lord Mahavir) as a narrative framework to illustrate how a single moment of wrongdoing can lead to long-lasting suffering and negative outcomes, ultimately emphasizing the importance of mindful and virtuous conduct. The publication is presented as a valuable tool for imparting moral and spiritual lessons in the modern era, particularly in contrast to the prevalent visual media.

Publisher's Note (Page 2):

The Granthamala (book series) has been actively publishing children's literature based on Jain scriptures for 14 years, having distributed over 2.22 lakh copies of "Jain Dharma Ki Kahaniyan" (Stories of Jainism) and 24,000 copies of "Choubees Tirthankar Mahapuran" (Twenty-Four Tirthankar Mahapuran). Recognizing the need for accessible and educational material for children in the age of television, this "Mukti Comics" series is launched to provide a new medium for teaching Jain principles. The publishers express gratitude to all who have contributed to the affordable pricing and encourage suggestions for improvement. They specifically thank the author, illustrator, colorist, and printer.

Editorial Note (Page 2):

Authored and edited by Dr. Yogesh Chandra Jain, the comic "Apradh Kshan Bhar Ka" uses the life of King Shrenik and his wife Chellana to depict the far-reaching consequences of human wrongdoing. It highlights the stark contrast between the fleeting nature of committing a crime and the enduring, painful, and notorious repercussions. The editorial emphasizes the saying, "A few moments of mistake lead to centuries of punishment." The narrative aims to inspire readers to continuously strive for improved outcomes, reflecting on the potential dire consequences of their actions, especially in light of Shrenik's brief actions leading to his rebirth in the third hell.

Summary of the Comic's Narrative:

The comic follows the story of King Shrenik of Magadh, who was known for his kindness and humility. His neighboring king, Somasharma, was arrogant, envious, and cruel. To alleviate the suffering of Somasharma's people, Shrenik waged war and defeated him, returning the kingdom.

Somasharma, seeking revenge, hatched a devious plan. He presented a fierce horse to Shrenik's father, deceiving him by calling it a rare treasure. The king, without proper investigation, rode the horse, which, according to Somasharma's scheme, bolted into a dense forest. The horse, carrying the king, eventually fell into a deep pit.

A humble forest dweller, Yamadanda, the king of the Bhils, found the unconscious king and brought him to his hut. Upon regaining consciousness, Shrenik introduced himself. Yamadanda explained that the horse, being an animal, acted according to its master's intent.

During his stay, Shrenik was impressed by the virtue and beauty of Yamadanda's daughter, Tilakavati. He proposed marriage. Yamadanda, after consulting his wife, agreed, promising Tilakavati would be the chief queen and her son the heir. The marriage was celebrated, and Shrenik returned to his kingdom with Tilakavati.

Later, Tilakavati bore a son. As Shrenik aged, he contemplated who to make his successor. He devised an intelligence test for his sons, emphasizing that true worth is revealed through trials. The tests included:

1. Collecting morning dew in a pot: Shrenik cleverly collected dew using cotton on a banana leaf.
2. Eating sweets from a closed basket: Shrenik broke the sweets and ate the resulting crumbs.
3. A secret test involving an "Agni!" (fire) alarm: Shrenik grabbed the royal insignia (umbrella, whisk, throne) and fled.

Shrenik excelled in all tests, impressing his father but also causing concern as he had promised the throne to another son, Chilati. To resolve this, a fourth test was devised: to serve food to dogs. Shrenik, while throwing food to dogs, ate his share efficiently. The ministers interpreted this as an inability to protect his own food and, therefore, unfit to protect the kingdom, leading to his banishment.

Banished and wandering, Shrenik encountered a merchant named Indradatta, who took him to his village. Initially treated with disdain, Shrenik was later recognized for his wisdom by Indradatta's daughter, Nandashri, who understood his riddles and cryptic pronouncements. Nandashri explained the deeper meanings behind Shrenik's seemingly foolish questions, revealing his profound understanding of Jain principles. Impressed by his intellect, Nandashri arranged his marriage with her.

After their marriage, Nandashri gave birth to a son named Abhay. Simultaneously, Shrenik received news of his father's death and Chilati's ascension to the throne. He decided to return to his kingdom, advising Nandashri to stay with her father until he sent for her. Chilati, fearing Shrenik, fled with his wealth. Shrenik was welcomed back as king.

Upon returning, Shrenik remembered the unkindness of the Nandigram villagers and ordered their village to be emptied. Despite his ministers' pleas for mercy and the potential for ill repute, Shrenik's anger was fueled by the memory of their past mistreatment. He devised a plan to punish them by ordering them to fatten a goat without it gaining weight, then to weigh an elephant by marking the water it displaced, and finally to make a rope from sand. The villagers, unable to fulfill these impossible tasks, sought help from a wise child in their village. The child provided clever solutions, such as tying the goat to a lion at night to keep it from eating and thereby prevent weight gain, and weighing the elephant by filling the boat with stones to the same water level. For the sand rope, the child suggested making a rope from sand after the successful creation of a sand rope (implying that if a sand rope can be made, then a sand rope can be provided).

Shrenik, realizing the intelligence of the child and suspecting it was his son Abhay, sent spies to discover the child's benefactor. Upon learning it was his son Abhay and his mother Nandashri, he joyfully brought them to his palace.

Meanwhile, Chellana, Shrenik's queen, gave birth to Kunika. A prophecy indicated that Kunika would be the cause of Shrenik's death. Chellana, fearing this, ordered the infant to be thrown into the forest. Shrenik, upon learning this, was deeply saddened.

Later, Buddhist monks visited the palace. Chellana, observing their practices, felt a strong inclination towards Jainism and questioned why Jain monks were not welcomed or honored. She began studying Jain scriptures and was deeply influenced by their teachings on compassion and non-violence. She confessed to Shrenik that she had been deceived by the Buddhist monks.

The Buddhist monks, alarmed by Chellana's conversion, tried to dissuade her, calling Jainism a religion of the destitute and naked, lacking in knowledge. Chellana firmly defended Jainism, highlighting the virtues of Jain monks.

In another incident, Shrenik, angered by the Buddhist monks' criticism of Jainism, encountered a monk who seemed to be associated with Chellana. He ordered his hunting dogs to attack the monk. The monk, unfazed, meditated. Shrenik then saw a snake and, believing the monk to be a sorcerer, threw the snake at him. The monk, enduring this hardship, used his spiritual strength to pacify the situation. The next day, Shrenik shared this with Chellana, who realized the suffering her actions had caused and the extraordinary patience of the Jain monk.

Witnessing the monk's resilience and receiving his blessings, Shrenik began to understand his own misguided actions. He learned that the monk was enduring suffering (Upasarga) and that his own anger was the true obstacle.

Eventually, King Shrenik, filled with remorse and a desire for spiritual understanding, renounced his kingdom to his son Kunika and took to spiritual practices.

However, Kunika, harboring resentment for being abandoned in the forest as a child, ordered Shrenik's imprisonment and torture. In his desperation and hunger, Shrenik collided with the prison bars and died.

Witnessing Shrenik's death and the ensuing chaos, Chellana, realizing the impermanence of worldly pleasures and the consequences of her past actions, renounced worldly life and became an ascetic under Aryika Chandana.

The story concludes by reinforcing the central theme that even a moment's crime can have profound and lasting negative consequences, leading to immense suffering and regret.