Bharatni Ek Viral Vibhuti - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bharatni Ek Viral Vibhuti" based on the provided pages, focusing on the life and teachings of Lord Mahavir, and the subsequent call to action for Jains:

Book Title: Bharatni Ek Viral Vibhuti (A Rare Gem of India) Author: Muni Shri Chandraprasagarji (Chitrabhanu) Publisher: Jain Yuvak Mandal, Viramgam

Overall Theme: The book, presented as a compilation of two articles originally published in Jain magazines, serves as a tribute to Lord Mahavir and a powerful exhortation to modern Jains to embody his teachings. It highlights Mahavir's life as an exemplary "rare gem" and then calls upon his followers to awaken and live by the principles of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Anekantavada (multi-faceted truth).

Summary of Content:

Part 1: Bharatni Ek Viral Vibhuti (A Rare Gem of India) - Pages 4-14

This section focuses on the life and spiritual journey of Lord Mahavir, portraying him as a divine being who descended upon Earth to alleviate suffering.

Divine Incarnation and Early Life: The text describes Mahavir's birth on a sacred day (Chaitra Sud Terash) during a time of widespread violence, luxury, and sin. His arrival brought a wave of peace and happiness to a suffering world, marked by auspicious natural phenomena and reverence from divine beings and kings. He lived a princely life, even having a virtuous son, but saw these worldly possessions as merely remedies for karmic impurities.
The Great Renunciation (Maha-abhinishkraman): At the age of thirty, witnessing the suffering of the world, Mahavir renounced his opulent palace and worldly attachments. This act, though deeply sorrowful for his loved ones, was driven by his compassionate heart, unable to bear the world's pain. The text vividly depicts the emotional farewell, emphasizing the deep affection of his younger brother Nandivardhan.
Severe Austerities and Transformation: Mahavir endured immense hardship, embracing the scorching sun, sleeping on thorny beds, and accepting insults, all to overcome his karma. His journey involved enduring immense difficulties and pains, a testament to his incredible penance and resilience.
The Test of Sangam: Even divine beings like Indra recognized Mahavir's unparalleled renunciation and penance. However, an envious Sangam Deva doubted Indra's praise and attempted to test Mahavir. Sangam Deva, transforming into various terrifying forms (lion, storm, demon), tried to dissuade Mahavir, but his efforts were futile. Witnessing Mahavir's unwavering resolve, Sangam Deva was humbled, repented, and sought forgiveness, recognizing Mahavir as the "father of the world" and a savior.
Attainment of Keval Gyan (Omniscience): After enduring extreme hardships for twelve and a half years of intense penance, Mahavir's karmas were burnt away, illuminating his soul with the light of the omniscient sun. He attained Keval Gyan, and his pure soul radiated divine knowledge.
The Teachings of Ahimsa and Anekantavada: Upon attaining Keval Gyan, Mahavir delivered profound teachings. He awakened people from the slumber of indulgence, warning them about the "four great thieves" – anger, pride, attachment, and greed – that were plundering their spiritual wealth. When people expressed their inability to fight these vices, Mahavir declared that their souls were inherently powerful and equal to his. He emphasized that the difference lay only in the accumulated karma and encouraged them to shed this karma through effort.
- He stressed the impermanence of youth, wealth, and worldly pleasures, highlighting Dharma (righteousness) as the only eternal reality.
- He identified ignorance (Agyanta) as the root of conflict, war, and even perversion of concepts like non-violence and sin.
- He presented Anekantavada (the doctrine of manifold aspects) as the ultimate solution for life's development, fostering universal brotherhood and understanding. He described Anekantavada as the true judge that reveals truth without bias.
- He further emphasized Ahimsa (non-violence) as the cornerstone of righteous action, describing it as a purifying river, a bridge connecting hearts, a fragrant flower, and the ultimate solution for world peace. He condemned violence for the sake of greed, animal sacrifice, and oppression.
Impact and Legacy: Mahavir's teachings inspired profound transformation in his followers, instilling courage, clarity, and a sense of purpose. He traveled throughout India for three decades, establishing peace, spreading the seeds of truth, honesty, and self-control, turning a fragmented India into a spiritual garden. His passing, described as his "Nirvana," plunged the world into darkness, necessitating the lighting of "artificial lamps" (symbolizing the need to carry on his legacy), which the text links to Diwali.

Part 2: Jaag, Ae Mahavir Na Saput! (Awake, O Son of Mahavir!) - Pages 15-20

This section directly addresses the modern Jain community, urging them to awaken and live by Mahavir's principles.

A Call to Action for Jains: The text directly questions Jains who claim to be Mahavir's descendants. It challenges them on their current lifestyle:
- How can they enjoy abundant food and clothing while others suffer from hunger and lack of basic necessities?
- How can they indulge in pleasure and entertainment while their brethren are consumed by hatred and enmity?
- It accuses them of having "cold blood" due to complacency and betraying Mahavir's principles.
The Two Wings of Jainism: Jains are reminded that their unique strength lies in their two "wings": Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satya (truth). These are crucial for spreading love and peace globally.
Consequences of Neglect: If these wings are clipped due to negligence, Jains will become "mere people" (Jan) and lose their distinct identity. They will become "crippled" and unable to spread Mahavir's message.
Remembrance of Mahavir's Virtues: The text lists Mahavir's exemplary virtues:
- Dhairya Veer (Hero of Patience): Facing demons, making the fearful fearless.
- Daan Veer (Hero of Charity): Renouncing immense wealth for the needy.
- Tyaag Veer (Hero of Renunciation): Leaving behind a palace and loved ones.
- Shoor Veer (Hero of Valor): Conquering senses in caves.
- Dharm Veer (Hero of Dharma): Embodying Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Sanyam, and Akinchanyatva.
Action Over Words: Jains are urged to move beyond empty speeches and demonstrate their principles through actions. They are advised to cultivate strict discipline, conquer desires, and advance with courage and enthusiasm, showcasing their immense potential to the world.
The Path of Jainism: The path requires unwavering commitment, strength, and resilience. Jains are encouraged to face challenges with faith and self-belief, as mountains will move and oceans will part for those with strong resolve.
Overcoming Obstacles: The path is not without thorns and mud, and Jains must remain vigilant. In times of adversity, they should remember their inherent strength, which will dispel darkness and pave the way for a brighter future.
Manifesting the Inner Self: Jains are urged to reveal their true, powerful selves to the world, sharing their valuable insights and shining their eternal light. The world is waiting for this contribution.
Living for Immortality: The message concludes by stating that Jains are not meant to die but to become immortal by living a life of noble purpose, spreading humanity, love, and universal compassion. They are called to instill lasting faith and offer true freedom through selfless service.
Inner Purity: The text emphasizes that external appearances are meaningless if the inner self is impure. One cannot deceive the soul, the "life-companion," forever.

Part 3: Short Poems/Sections (Pages 21-48)

These sections appear to be supplementary material or related texts.

Page 21: Contains short poems expressing sentiments of friendship, admiration for the virtuous, compassion for the suffering, and equanimity. These poems reflect the positive virtues encouraged in Jainism.
Pages 22-48: These pages detail the life of Shivabhuti, a Digambar Jain figure. While the main text of "Bharatni Ek Viral Vibhuti" focuses on Mahavir and the call to action for Jains, these pages provide a narrative about Shivabhuti, his adventurous youth, his perceived arrogance, the incident with his mother, his acceptance of Diksha (initiation), and his controversial embrace of Digambara practices and interpretations of monastic conduct, including his divergence from his guru's advice regarding material possessions and the eventual development of a distinct tradition. This part of the text likely serves as a historical or exemplary narrative within the broader context of Jainism, perhaps illustrating the importance of adherence to principles and the potential pitfalls of ego and misplaced interpretations.

In essence, "Bharatni Ek Viral Vibhuti" is a dual-purpose text: it reveres Lord Mahavir as the pinnacle of spiritual achievement and then directly appeals to contemporary Jains to actively embody his teachings of Ahimsa and Anekantavada, warning them against complacency and urging them to live up to their spiritual heritage. The inclusion of Shivabhuti's story might offer a complex example of adherence, deviation, and the evolution of Jain traditions.