Bhagvana Mahavira Diwakar Chitrakatha 009 010 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bhagvana Mahavira Diwakar Chitrakatha 009 010":

This comic book, "Karunanidhan Bhagvan Mahavir" (The Compassionate Lord Mahavir), published by Diwakar Prakashan and authored by Purnachandramuni and Shreechand Surana, presents the life story of the 24th Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir, in a visually engaging comic format. The aim is to entertain while educating readers about Jainism's history, culture, philosophy, and values.

The text emphasizes that the title of "Tirthankar" is the highest spiritual attainment, achieved through immense penance, meditation, self-control, compassion, and friendliness over countless lifetimes. Lord Mahavir's journey to this status is traced through 27 previous births, showcasing the profound dedication required. The narrative draws primarily from the "Trishashthishalakapurush Charitra" by Acharya Hemchandra Surishwar.

The comic begins by recounting Lord Mahavir's birth in 599 BCE. It highlights his compassionate nature from childhood and his adherence to the principles of universal non-violence and equanimity before preaching them. At 30, he renounced his royal life for asceticism, enduring severe hardships for 13 years before attaining Kevalgyan (omniscience). He preached equanimity, self-control, non-possession, and non-violence until his Nirvana at 72 in Pavapuri.

The comic then delves into Mahavir's previous births, illustrating the arduous path to Tirthankarhood:

Nayasar: A kind forest ranger who showed compassion to monks and attained right faith (Samyakdarshan). He was later reborn in the first heaven.
Marichi: Nayasar's rebirth as the son of King Bharata. He initially took diksha but later faltered due to the hardship of ascetic life, making modifications to the rules. Despite this, he was prophesied to become the 24th Tirthankar. However, his pride led to negative karmic consequences.
Vishwabhooti: In this life, as the younger brother of King Vishwanandi, he experienced betrayal and insult from his cousin, Vishakhanandi. This led him to take diksha. During his ascetic practices, he was insulted by Vishakhanandi, and in anger, he vowed revenge in his next life, thus wasting his penance. He was reborn as a celestial being.
Triprishta Vasudeva: Born as the son of King Prajapati and Queen Mrigavati, Triprishta was a powerful and courageous prince. He defeated the powerful anti-king Ashwagriva. However, due to a moment of anger and a misguided command to his attendant, he caused the death of his attendant, leading to negative karmic repercussions that resulted in multiple rebirths in hell and as a lion. This birth is presented as a cautionary tale about the consequences of anger and cruelty, even by those who have attained high spiritual status.
Priyambada (or Priyamitra): As Priyamitra, the son of King Dhananjay and Queen Dharini, he became a righteous Chakravarti emperor, devoted to the welfare of his subjects and the service of ascetics. He eventually took diksha and performed severe penance for a crore years, becoming a celestial being.
Nandan: Reborn as Prince Nandan, son of King Nitshatru and Queen Bhadra, he renounced worldly pleasures upon witnessing the impermanence of life and took diksha. He performed intense penance for a hundred thousand years and eventually became a celestial being in the tenth heaven.
The Conception of Lord Mahavir: The soul that would become Mahavir descended from the tenth heaven into the womb of Devananda, a devout follower of Lord Parshvanath. However, Lord Indra, the chief of the Saudharma heaven, transferred the embryo to Queen Trishala, the wife of King Siddhartha of the Kshatriya clan, as Tirthankaras are always born in noble Kshatriya families. Queen Trishala experienced fourteen auspicious dreams.

The comic then details the birth and early life of Lord Mahavir:

Birth and Naming: Mahavir was born on Chaitra Shukla Trayodashi. His birth brought immense joy and light. He was named Vardhaman, meaning "one who increases," due to the prosperity that marked his conception and birth.
Childhood and Trials: Prince Vardhaman was brave, courageous, and skilled in 64 arts. He was tested by a celestial being who took the form of a black serpent and later a child, but Vardhaman's strength and courage were evident. This led him to be known as Mahavir.
Renunciation: At 28, despite his parents' wishes and his brother Nandivardhana's emotional appeal, Mahavir decided to take diksha. He observed a year of "Varshidan" (giving away vast wealth) before his renunciation.
Diksha and Austerity: On Margashirsha Krishna Dashami, Mahavir took diksha, shedding all his possessions and embarking on a path of intense austerity, enduring immense hardship, including being attacked by insects and facing extreme weather.
Trials and Patience: The comic illustrates several instances of Mahavir's immense patience and equanimity. This includes the incident with the cowherd who was wrongly accused of stealing his bulls, the encounter with the venomous snake Chandakoushik, and the attacks by the demon Sangam who tried to disrupt his meditation through various means, including setting a fire between his legs. In each situation, Mahavir remained calm and compassionate, ultimately transforming his tormentors.
The Vow of Chandanbala: Mahavir undertook a strict vow to accept alms only from a princess who had been sold into servitude, had her head shaved, wore shackles, was hungry and thirsty, and sat with her hand in a winnowing basket containing dried urad dal. This vow was fulfilled by Chandanbala, who, despite her suffering, offered her alms with immense devotion, leading to divine blessings and her own spiritual awakening.
Attainment of Kevalgyan: After twelve years of rigorous penance and meditation, Mahavir attained Kevalgyan (omniscience) under a Sal tree by the Rijubaluka river.
First Sermon and Discipleship: After attaining Kevalgyan, Mahavir went to Pavapuri, where he began his public preaching. His first and chief disciple was Indrabhuti Gautam, a learned scholar who, initially proud of his knowledge, was humbled by Mahavir's wisdom and became his leading Ganadhara. Many other scholars and their disciples also joined him.
Teachings: Lord Mahavir preached in the common language, emphasizing the reduction of desires, practicing equanimity and friendship towards all beings, and the principles of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), and Sadachar (righteous conduct).
Nirvana: In his 42nd year of penance, Lord Mahavir attained Nirvana at Pavapuri. His passing was marked by a divine light and the beginning of the festival of Deepavali. The comic highlights the deep affection of his chief disciple, Gautam, and how Mahavir's deliberate absence during his final moments helped Gautam overcome his attachment and attain Kevalgyan.

The comic concludes with a message from the publisher encouraging readers to subscribe to the "Diwakar Chitrakatha" series to continue enjoying such educational and engaging stories. It also promotes various Jain literature and the construction of a significant Jain pilgrimage site, the "24 Tirthankar Tirtdham" in Andhra Pradesh.