Aur Phir

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text from the book "Aur phir" by Jatanlal Rampuriya:

The author, Jatanlal Rampuriya, begins by reflecting on children, whom he considers the most perfect creations of nature. He describes them as pure, innocent, natural, and honest, free from pretenses and superficiality. Their emotions are pure, and they quickly forgive and reconcile after arguments. He notes that they embody the Jain principles of forgiveness ("Khhamemi savvajiwe") not just in words but in their very being, suggesting they are naturally spiritual and have much to teach adults. This leads him to a profound question: why do children, who are so pure, grow up to be afflicted by the very vices that plague the world?

He connects the understanding of one concept to the understanding of its opposite (e.g., explaining the soul leads to explaining the non-soul, analyzing merit implies defining demerit, karma acquisition is linked to karma release, bondage and liberation are interconnected). He explains that while he started by thinking about children, his reflections naturally led him to address adults. He then recounts a personal anecdote about his six-year-old granddaughter, Samta. When asked if her slightly older and more boisterous cousin "Chinu" hits her, Samta replied, "Sometimes he hits me." When asked why, her answer revealed the depth of her innocent heart: "Sometimes I make a mistake." This simple yet profound response made the author realize the stark contrast between the pure, unblemished inner world of children and the ego-driven, self-centeredness of adults. He felt a sudden awakening, a desire to return to the core of existence.

The author emphasizes that "making an effort to reach oneself" is the first step to achievement. He quotes the Jain principle "Tinnanam tarayanam" – first save yourself, then save others. He laments that instead of starting with self-salvation (the alphabet of a meaningful life), society often begins with trying to "save others" (the final line). He urges a shift in this order, advocating for action over sermons and deep contemplation over superficial engagement.

The text then transitions to illustrating this principle through the examples of his grandfather, Shri Poonamchandji Rampuriya, and his father, Shri Chandji Rampuriya, as well as his mother.

Grandfather Shri Poonamchandji Rampuriya: He was described as courageous, a symbol of effort, quick-witted, and far-sighted. The anecdote highlights his uncompromising stance against incorrect practices. When a servant, Ram Singh, packed homemade ghee into an empty Dalda tin to send to Calcutta, the grandfather was displeased. Upon learning the reason, he instructed Ram Singh to repackage the ghee into a proper container and discard the Dalda tin, forbidding its presence in the house. This instilled in the author a deep understanding of the importance of not harboring attachments to wrong things.

Father Shri Chandji Rampuriya: The author recounts an incident when his elder brother, Tarachand, bought a book of film songs with his pocket money. His father, on seeing it, offered to buy him good storybooks instead and sternly advised against reading cinema magazines. He then tore the songbook into pieces, which were then thrown out the window. This act, though perhaps harsh, deeply impressed upon the young author his father's resolve not to patronize wrong tendencies and the importance of preventing their spread.

Mother: The author describes his mother's unwavering dedication to her children. Despite suffering from chronic illnesses like asthma and arthritis and being busy with household chores in a joint family, she was always attentive to the children's well-being. She personally ensured they ate their meals, waiting for them even if they returned late from business. The author recounts a touching incident where his mother, noticing he had been served more rice than he could finish, poured water over the remaining rice to prevent it from being wasted, as she knew he disliked leaving food uneaten. This act, though seemingly small, demonstrated her understanding of the harm of overeating (a concept he had learned in health science) and her wisdom in breaking away from the harmful custom of forcing children to finish their food. Her resolve not to nurture incorrect traditions further solidified the author's understanding of the importance of ethical upbringing.

Each of these instances from his elders served as a "lamp lit" in the author's heart, a lesson in righteous living. The author concludes this section by expressing his hope that such "lamps" continue to be lit in children's minds, leading to a chain reaction of enlightenment.

The text ends with a brief mention of his mother's passing on March 31, 1969, after a period of poor health following a heart attack in December 1963. It reiterates her commitment to her children's welfare despite her physical ailments and the demands of a joint family.