Bhagvana Rushabhdev Diwakar Chitrakatha 002 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bhagvan Rishabhdev Diwakar Chitrakatha 002":

This comic book, "Bhagvan Rishabhdev Diwakar Chitrakatha 002," published by Diwakar Prakashan and authored by Subhadramuni and Shreechand Surana, chronicles the life and teachings of Lord Rishabhdev, the first Tirthankara of Jainism. The book aims to provide education, purity of thought, knowledge enhancement, and entertainment through its narrative.

Introduction to Lord Rishabhdev:

The book establishes that Jainism, Buddhism, and Vedic traditions acknowledge the ancient origin of religion, stretching back billions of years.
According to Jainism, Lord Rishabhdev was the first to propagate religion on Earth during the current era.
He is credited with teaching humanity agriculture, business, arts, crafts, politics, and governance.
He was the first king, the first ascetic (Shraman), and the first Tirthankara, earning him the titles of Adinath and First Tirthankara.
His eldest son, Bharat, became the first Chakravarti Samrat, after whom India is named Bharatvarsha.
Lord Rishabhdev was both a leader of the people and a leader of religion, inspiring humanity towards effort and later guiding them towards renunciation for self-peace. He established social and political order and taught a balanced philosophy of life through enjoyment and renunciation.
His life is documented not only in Jain scriptures but also in the Rigveda and Shrimad Bhagwat Purana. Historians have noted similarities between Rishabhdev and Lord Shiva, suggesting they might be the same great soul, both dedicated to the welfare of the world.
This narrative is based on ancient Jain texts like the Adi Purana and Trishashtishalakapurusha Charitra.

The Early Life and Reign of Rishabhdev:

The story begins in the early era of the present time cycle (Avsarpini Kaal), when human desires were minimal, and people lived happily, peacefully, and with contentment. There were no kings or subjects, and everyone was equal.
They lived with the aid of Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling trees) that provided all their needs.
As the population grew, the Kalpavrikshas yielded less, increasing human needs and leading to conflicts.
To resolve these conflicts and maintain order, humans chose the most virtuous among them, Nabhirai, as their chief (Kulkar) and leader.

The Birth and Childhood of Rishabhdev:

Nabhirai's queen was Marudevi. On a serene night in Ashadh Krishna Chaturthi, she had 14 auspicious and significant dreams. Upon waking, she shared them with Nabhirai, who interpreted them as her bearing an extraordinary son.
On the auspicious night of Chaitra Vadi Ashtami, Queen Marudevi gave birth to a radiant son. His birth was marked by a brief illumination of the entire earth, bringing joy to humans and celestial beings.
The birth of the fortunate son was celebrated as a "Janma Kalyanak" (birth festival) by humans and deities.
Nabhirai named his son Rishabh because he saw the symbol of a bull (Vrishabha) on his chest.
When Rishabh was about a year old, Devraj Indra visited with a sugarcane (Ikshu). Impressed by the child's attraction to it, Indra declared that the lineage would be known as the "Ikshvaku" dynasty.
As a young man, Rishabh Kumar married Sunanda and Sumangala, thus initiating the tradition of marriage in society. They had a hundred sons, including Bharat and Bahubali, and two daughters, Brahmi and Sundari.
Rishabh Kumar trained people in various arts and skills for the all-around development of human society, including warfare, agriculture, mathematics, script, commerce, and pottery.

Rishabhdev Becomes King:

During the time of Kulkar Nabhi, society was orderly and peace-loving. However, as people became more audacious and the tendency for crime increased, disorder spread.
The distressed populace approached Kumar Rishabhdev for guidance. They requested him to ask Kulkar Nabhirai for a king to protect them.
Recognizing Rishabh as the suitable protector, they declared him their king, and Nabhirai announced Rishabhdev as the king.

Coronation and Establishment of the Caste System:

Rishabhdev's coronation ceremony was graced by Nabhirai, Queen Marudevi, the ruling clans (Yugaliks), and his sons and daughters. Deities and humans poured holy water over his feet. The city where he resided was named Vinita.
To ensure proper governance, Rishabhdev divided societal roles based on aptitude. Those who exchanged goods were called Vaishyas and engaged in trade. Those who protected society were called Kshatriyas. Those with a spirit of service and cooperation were called Shudras and served society.

Renunciation of the Kingdom:

Lord Rishabhdev, like a loving father, nurtured and protected his subjects. As he reached the latter part of his life, he decided to hand over the responsibilities of the kingdom to his sons.
Bharat, the eldest, was given the kingdom of Ayodhya. Bahubali was given Takshashila, and the other ninety-eight sons were given smaller regions.
Having entrusted his kingdom, Rishabhdev became free from worldly worries.

The Vision of Impermanence and Determination for Renunciation:

One day, while sitting in his royal court, King Rishabhdev watched a dance performance by an Apsara named Nilanjana. Suddenly, Nilanjana fainted and fell.
Upon realizing she had passed away, Rishabhdev was profoundly struck by the impermanence of human life and the body. He resolved to renounce his worldly possessions and embark on the path of spiritual practice to conquer death.
The Lokaantika deities appeared and praised his decision, urging him to guide humanity towards the path of renunciation and self-control.

Becoming the First Ascetic:

On the evening of Chaitra Krishna Ashtami, Rishabhdev reached a garden outside Ayodhya, followed by thousands of people.
Under an Ashoka tree, he performed self-purification (hair plucking) with his own hands, renouncing all worldly desires and becoming the first ascetic of this era.
Devraj Indra, along with his divine retinue, requested him to keep a lock of hair on his head as it looked majestic. Respecting Indra's sentiment, Rishabhdev kept a lock of hair, and the rest was plucked, earning him the name "Kesariya" or "Keshriya Ji."

Early Ascetic Life and the Struggle for Pure Food:

Upon seeing Rishabhdev become an ascetic, four thousand individuals, including Kings Kachha and Mahakachha, also renounced their worldly lives and followed him into the forest.
During his alms rounds, people offered various fruits and items. However, Rishabhdev sought pure and simple food.
Since pure food was not available, Rishabhdev and his followers endured hunger and thirst. Eventually, his disciples, overwhelmed by their suffering, resorted to eating roots and fruits in the forest and became ascetics themselves. They approached Rishabhdev for guidance on what to eat to satisfy their hunger, but he remained in silent meditation.

Nami and Vinami's Request and Guidance:

Kings Nami and Vinami, sons of Kachha and Mahakachha respectively, returned to find their fathers as ascetics in the forest. Concerned about their state, they wondered what had happened to their kingdoms.
They learned that Rishabhdev had distributed the kingdom among his sons, and they questioned why he hadn't allowed them to become ascetics too. They decided to claim their rightful share from their father.
However, Rishabhdev was observing a vow of silence. Nami and Vinami reached him and requested him to grant them kingdoms, stating that even a small portion of what he bestowed would be a blessing.

The Granting of Kingdoms and Divine Intervention:

Seeing Rishabhdev's silence, both brothers devoted themselves to his worship.
Dharanendra, the king of the Nagakumars, came to visit Rishabhdev. Witnessing the unwavering devotion of Nami and Vinami, he inquired about them.
Upon hearing their request, Dharanendra was pleased. He took Nami and Vinami to Mount Vaitadhya, where, with his help, they established cities and ruled happily.

The First Sustenance and Akshaya Tritiya:

One year after his renunciation, Lord Rishabhdev had not yet received pure food, leading to extreme emaciation. While wandering from village to village, he arrived in Hastinapur.
At that time, King Somaprabha ruled Hastinapur. Prince Shreyans Kumar had a dream where he was cleansing Mount Meru with nectar.
The next morning, as Prince Shreyans sat by his window, he saw Lord Rishabhdev passing by. This sight triggered his memory of past lives and his connection with Rishabhdev as his great-grandfather. He realized that Rishabhdev had not consumed food or water for a year.
Overwhelmed with devotion, Shreyans Kumar descended from his palace, bowed to Rishabhdev, and earnestly requested him to accept sugarcane juice.
Rishabhdev accepted the sugarcane juice, breaking his year-long fast on the third day of Vaishakh Shukla (Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya). This day is celebrated as Akshaya Tritiya in Jain tradition, commemorating the first instance of breaking a year-long fast.

The Joyful News of Keval Gyan and the Release of Marudevi:

Meanwhile, in Ayodhya, Rishabhdev's mother, Marudevi, was anxious about her son. She urged her grandson Bharat to find news of Rishabh.
Emperor Bharat dispatched messengers in all directions. After days of no news, three messengers arrived, announcing that Rishabhdev had attained Keval Gyan (omniscience). They also reported the appearance of the Chakra Ratna (wheel of conquest) in the armory.
Bharat shared the auspicious news with Marudevi. Along with Marudevi, Bharat set out to see Lord Rishabhdev.
As they reached the Samavasarana (divine assembly), Bharat described Rishabhdev's spiritual glory to Marudevi.
Marudevi, upon entering the Samavasarana, regained memories of her past lives. She realized her attachment was futile as Rishabhdev had conquered attachment. She saw his detachment and peace.
At that moment, a divine voice announced that Queen Marudevi had attained Moksha (liberation) by destroying all her karmas due to the purity of her emotions.
Marudevi, filled with emotion, looked at Rishabhdev and was overwhelmed by the news. She became the first Siddha of this era.

The Establishment of the Four-Fold Religious Order:

On Phalgun Krishna Ekadashi, Lord Rishabhdev delivered his first sermon to Bharat and his sons. He established the four-fold religious order: monks (Sadhu), nuns (Sadhvi), laymen (Shravak), and laywomen (Shravika).
Because he established these four pillars of religion, Lord Rishabhdev is known as the First Tirthankara. His role in initiating Dharma (religion) earned him the name Adinath.
His sermon emphasized that the goal of life is renunciation, not enjoyment, and detachment, not attachment. He advised self-welfare before helping others.
Upon hearing his teachings, hundreds of Bharat's sons, grandsons, and daughters like Brahmi, along with thousands of women, took initiation. Rishabhsen, Bharat's eldest son, became Rishabhdev's first Gandhara (chief disciple), who established the five great vows for ascetics and twelve vows for householders.
After witnessing Rishabhdev, Emperor Bharat returned to his capital.

Bharat's Conquest and the Story of the Thirsty Woodcutter:

After celebrating the Keval Gyan festival of Rishabhdev, Bharat returned to Ayodhya and worshipped the Chakra Ratna in the armory. He then decided to embark on a conquest of the known world.
Bharat marched with a vast army to establish his victory across the six continents.
Years later, upon Bharat's return from his victorious campaign, a victory festival was celebrated. Having established his undisputed rule over the six continents, Bharat became the first Chakravarti Samrat.
During the victory festival, Bahubali and his ninety-eight younger brothers were absent. Bharat sent a message demanding their submission or preparedness for war.
The brothers held a secret meeting. They decided to seek guidance from their father, Lord Rishabhdev.
They approached Rishabhdev, explaining Bharat's covetousness and their reluctance to fight their elder brother. They asked for his guidance on whether to fight as per Kshatriya dharma.
Lord Rishabhdev then narrated a story about a foolish woodcutter who, desperately thirsty, searched for water. He drank a river, then a well, and even the entire ocean, but his thirst remained unquenched. He then tried to squeeze water from wet straw, but it was futile.

The Lesson of Contentment and the Renunciation of the 98 Brothers:

After the story, Rishabhdev explained to his sons that just as the woodcutter's thirst could not be quenched by drinking water, human greed (trishna) increases with indulgence. True contentment satisfies greed. He advised them to realize the infinite wealth within their souls, which would make the wealth of the three worlds seem insignificant.
Hearing this profound teaching, the ninety-eight brothers renounced their states and became ascetics at Rishabhdev's feet.

Bahubali's Challenge and the Three Battles:

Bahubali, Rishabhdev's second son, was even more powerful than Bharat. He received Bharat's message of submission. The renunciation of his ninety-eight brothers weighed heavily on him, and Bharat's message added insult to injury.
Bahubali declared that Bharat had no right to the kingdom bestowed by their father and that any such claim would be settled on the battlefield.
To complete his dominion as Chakravarti over the six continents, Bharat declared war on Bahubali.
When the messenger conveyed Bahubali's response to Emperor Bharat, preparations for war commenced.
The armies of both brothers faced each other, drawing the attention of thousands of gods, demons, and rakshasas. Devraj Indra, fearing a massacre, intervened. He proposed a test of strength between the brothers, as their father was an embodiment of non-violence.
The first test was "Drishti Yuddh" (eye-to-eye combat), where they stared at each other intently. As evening fell, Bharat's eyelids drooped, and he was defeated.
The second test was "Vag Yuddh" (verbal combat), in which Bharat was also defeated after both engaged in fierce roars.
The third day was for "Bahu Yuddh" (wrestling). Bharat grappled with Bahubali, but Bahubali ultimately threw Bharat into the air and caught him, winning the wrestling match.

Bharat's Anger and Bahubali's Renunciation:

Defeated repeatedly, Bharat lost his composure and threw his divine Chakra at Bahubali's head.
However, the Chakra, being divine, circumambulated Bahubali and returned.
Witnessing this, Devraj Indra and other celestial beings pleaded with Bahubali to control his anger and avoid bloodshed, which would tarnish the Ikshvaku dynasty's reputation. They appealed to his forgiving nature.
Upon hearing their pleas, Bahubali stopped his raised fist and realized his arrogance. He acknowledged that his ego was his true enemy, not Bharat. He declared he wanted neither kingdom nor honor and would follow his father's path.
With that resolve, Bahubali removed his crown and ornaments, plucked his hair, and became an ascetic. His victory over the six continents was surpassed by his victory over himself, earning him the title "Adishwar's son Bahubali, the conqueror of the world and self."

Bahubali's Penance and the Obstacle of Pride:

Bahubali's subtle pride prevented him from attaining Keval Gyan. He worried about facing his younger brothers, who had renounced their lives before him, and the need to bow to them.
One day, Sadhvi Brahmi and Sundari approached Rishabhdev, asking about Bahubali's whereabouts and his progress towards Keval Gyan.
Rishabhdev explained that a "straw of pride" was hiding the "sun of Keval Gyan" and asked them to awaken him.
Bahubali stood in deep meditation for a year, becoming one with the elements. Vines grew on his body, and soil accumulated on his feet. Snakes and other creatures coiled around him, mistaking him for a sandalwood tree.

Bahubali's Realization and Attainment of Keval Gyan:

Brahmi and Sundari could not recognize Bahubali in his ascetic form. Brahmi called out to him with her melodious voice, urging him to awaken, descend from the "elephant" of pride that obscured the "sun of knowledge."
Bahubali heard the familiar voices and wondered how they spoke of him riding an elephant, as he believed he had renounced everything.
Reflecting, he saw in the mirror of his intellect the elephant of pride, raising its trunk. He realized that despite renouncing his kingdom and body, he still held onto pride, which was preventing him from attaining Keval Gyan.
As Bahubali took a step, the elephant of pride vanished, and he attained Keval Gyan. Celestial beings showered flowers, and divine music resounded as they celebrated his enlightenment.
Bahubali bowed to all monks, acknowledging their greatness, and returned to his father, Lord Adinath.
Emperor Bharat visited Rishabhdev and, seeing his ninety-eight brothers and Bahubali in their ascetic forms, felt remorse for his actions.
Rishabhdev advised Bharat to serve the ascetics and nurture the virtuous, which would bring him peace.
Bharat expressed his deep regret for the injustice he had committed against his brothers and the stain he had put on the Ikshvaku lineage, asking how his actions could be forgiven and his heart healed.

The Concept of Attachment and Detachment Explained:

Once, Lord Rishabhdev visited Ayodhya. Bharat and thousands of others gathered to hear his sermon. A goldsmith was also present.
Rishabhdev preached about renouncing attachment to wealth and possessions to lighten the soul, explaining that those burdened by material possessions would descend to lower states, while those with less attachment would rise higher.
The goldsmith questioned Rishabhdev, asking if he would ascend higher than Emperor Bharat, who possessed vast wealth. He wondered if there was partiality.
Bharat, seeing the goldsmith's confusion, realized he hadn't understood the teaching correctly and decided to explain it.

The Tale of the Oil Bowl:

The next day, Bharat summoned the goldsmith and presented him with a bowl full of oil. He instructed him to circle the entire city of Ayodhya, keeping his attention solely on the bowl, and warned him that any spilled oil would result in a death sentence.
The goldsmith, engrossed in carrying the bowl without spilling a drop, could not observe anything else in the city.
Upon his return, Bharat asked him what he had seen. The goldsmith replied that he had seen nothing but the oil bowl and could not observe the city because he feared the punishment.
Bharat then smiled and explained that he, too, lived in the world of luxury and possessions but focused his attention on his soul. He asked if he could be considered a great hoarder of possessions if his mind was centered on his soul and unaffected by the worldly markets.
The goldsmith apologized, admitting he hadn't grasped the depth of Rishabhdev's teaching.

Rishabhdev's Final Moments:

Rishabhdev continued to impart the wisdom of detachment and renunciation for thousands of years. Eventually, he realized his time on Earth was drawing to a close.
He then proceeded to Mount Ashtapad and entered into deep meditative concentration.

The book concludes by highlighting the Diwakar Prakashan's commitment to publishing Jain literature and encouraging readers to become members to receive future issues of the "Diwakar Chitrakatha" series, which aims to educate and inspire through engaging visual narratives.