Bhartuhari Nirvedam

Certainly! Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bhartuhari Nirvedam" by Harihar Upadhyaya, based on the provided pages.

Book Title: Bhartuhari Nirvedam (भर्तृहरिनिर्वेदम्) Author: Harihar Upadhyaya (श्री हरिहरोपाध्याय) Publisher: Jinshasan Aradhana Trust (श्री जिनशासन आराधना ट्रस्ट), Mumbai Language: Sanskrit with Prakrit dialogues Style: Prose and Poetry Subject: Renunciation (Vairagya)

Overall Summary:

"Bhartuhari Nirvedam" is a Sanskrit drama by Harihar Upadhyaya that explores the theme of renunciation, focusing on the life and internal transformation of King Bhartrhari. The drama, presented as a "Vairagyopanishad" (a treatise on renunciation), uses the story of Bhartrhari, the renowned poet-king known for his philosophical verses on detachment, to illustrate the path from worldly attachments to spiritual liberation.

The drama highlights the profound philosophical insights that can lead an individual, even a king with immense power and possessions, to turn away from material pleasures. It emphasizes that true happiness and peace are found not in worldly enjoyments, which are fleeting and ultimately lead to suffering, but in detachment and spiritual realization.

Key Aspects and Themes:

1. The Premise of Renunciation: The play begins by posing the question of why King Bhartrhari, despite his royal status and pleasures, would abandon his kingdom. It suggests that worldly enjoyments themselves consume the individual, and the passage of time leads not to aging of desires but to the aging of the person caught in them. This sets the stage for exploring the catalyst for Bhartrhari's renunciation.

2. The Power of Vairagya (Renunciation): The text emphasizes that the drama is a "towering edifice of renunciation built on the foundation of attachment." It possesses wonderful verses, insightful teachings, impactful lines, and a pure essence of renunciation that can deeply affect even the most attached individuals.

3. The Translator's Approach: The Gujarati translation, "Vairagyopanishad," aims to foster renunciation in both the reader and others. The translator acknowledges the difficulty of a word-for-word translation of such profound works and prioritizes preserving the essence and rasa (aesthetic flavor) of the original, seeking forgiveness from those who prefer literal translations.

4. The Narrative Structure (as inferred from the acts):

   • Act I (Prathamo'nk):

     • Opening: The Sutradhar (stage manager) sets the tone by praising Lord Shankar and contrasting worldly rituals with the path of devotion through "Bhartrhari Nirvedam," which is rich in the emotion of Shanta Rasa (peaceful emotion). He highlights Shanta Rasa as superior to other emotions like Shringara (eroticism) because it leads to eternal bliss, unlike transient worldly pleasures.
     • Sutradhar and Sutradhari (Wife): The Sutradhar interacts with his wife, explaining his delay was due to performing rituals to ward off ill fortune. Their conversation sets a domestic, relatable scene before introducing the royal drama.
     • King Bhartrhari's Melancholy: King Bhartrhari enters, deeply troubled and detached from his royal duties and pleasures. He expresses his disinterest in gambling, hunting, and even socializing, indicating a profound internal disturbance.
     • Bhartrhari and Bhanumati (Queen): Bhartrhari speaks to his queen, Bhanumati, who is also distressed. He tries to comfort her, describing her beauty and the joy she brings him. Bhanumati, however, expresses her inability to live without him, suggesting she is deeply affected by his apparent neglect.
     • The King's "Errand": Bhartrhari explains his absence was due to performing rituals based on astrological predictions, but his words suggest an underlying contemplation.
     • The Scene of Sati: The act culminates with Bhartrhari and Bhanumati witnessing a scene (perhaps a play within the play or a vision) of a woman committing Sati (self-immolation on her husband's pyre). Bhartrhari praises the devotion and sacrifice of such women, while Bhanumati subtly questions the authenticity of such extreme acts, suggesting true love might not need such a sacrifice.
     • The "Death" of Bhanumati (Deception): Bhartrhari, perhaps testing Bhanumati or driven by his own contemplation, expresses a strong desire to die. This leads to a dramatic event where Bhanumati, hearing of his "death" (a possible deception or a result of his words), faints or appears to die. The act ends with confusion and distress.

   • Act II (Dwitiyo'nk):

     • The "Death" and the Messenger: The scene opens with maids lamenting Bhanumati's apparent death, attributed to hearing false news of the king's demise by a messenger. The maids are concerned about the messenger's fate and their own responsibility.
     • The King's Return and Grief: King Bhartrhari returns from hunting, sensing misfortune (left eye twitching). He reflects on the inscrutability of destiny and the premonitions given by bodily signs. He attributes his wife's apparent death to his own ill-conceived actions and the messenger's false report.
     • The Messenger's Confession: The messenger confesses to Bhartrhari that he delivered the false news of the king's death to Bhanumati.
     • Bhartrhari's Despair: Overwhelmed with grief and guilt, Bhartrhari collapses, devastated by the realization that his actions have led to his beloved's demise. He laments the loss of his queen and the ensuing darkness in his life.
     • The Royal Funeral and Bhartrhari's Resolve: Devoted attendants prepare for Bhanumati's cremation. Bhartrhari, in his anguish, contemplates jumping into the funeral pyre. He expresses his desire to join her in death, or at least to be consumed by the same fire. He is eventually prevented from doing so.

   • Act III (Tritiyo'nk):

     • The King's Grief and a Yogi: The act starts with an old attendant lamenting his frailty and the overwhelming grief of the king. The minister (Devatilak) arrives, seeking a yogi who promised to alleviate the king's sorrow.
     • The Yogi and the Broken Pot: The king, in a state of deep sorrow and disorientation, encounters a yogi who is mourning over a broken pot.
     • The Dialogue on Attachment and Loss: Bhartrhari engages the yogi in a philosophical discussion about attachment and loss. The yogi explains that the pot, though broken, was a source of many services and a constant companion. Bhartrhari, through his experience with Bhanumati, understands the profound nature of attachment and the pain of loss, but he also reflects on the nature of grief itself.
     • The Yogi's Counsel: The yogi uses the broken pot incident to illustrate the futility of excessive attachment to transient things. He emphasizes the impermanence of material possessions and the deceptive nature of worldly pleasures. The king, reflecting on his own situation, begins to see the illusory nature of his sorrow and attachments.
     • The Yogi's Identity: The yogi reveals himself as Gorakshanath, who had been sent by Bhartrhari's guru to guide him.

   • Act IV (Chaturtho'nk):

     • The King's Contemplation: Bhartrhari is seen meditating in a grove with Gorakshanath. He feels a sense of peace and enlightenment arising from his contemplation.
     • Gorakshanath's Teaching: Gorakshanath confirms that this inner peace is the beginning of true knowledge. He instructs Bhartrhari to continue his practice, promising to teach him the eight limbs of Hatha Yoga at the appropriate time.
     • The Queen's "Revival": Minister Devatilak arrives, suggesting it's time for Bhanumati's cremation. However, Gorakshanath intervenes, offering to revive Bhanumati using his yogic powers to help Bhartrhari overcome his grief and attachment.
     • Bhartrhari's Renunciation of Worldly Pleasures: Gorakshanath revives Bhanumati. However, Bhartrhari, now enlightened, has renounced all worldly attachments, including his kingdom, wealth, and even his wife. He explains that the pursuit of virtue and spiritual knowledge has replaced his former desires. He views his former possessions and relationships as sources of attachment that hinder spiritual progress.

   • Act V (Panchamo'nk):

     • Bhartrhari's Detachment: Bhanumati, revived and still attached, tries to embrace Bhartrhari. However, Bhartrhari, now focused on achieving immortality through yoga, gently refuses, explaining his path requires detachment from physical intimacy.
     • The Illusory Nature of the World and Relationships: Bhartrhari discusses the deceptive nature of beauty, youth, and worldly relationships, seeing them as transient and ultimately leading to sorrow. He compares them to diseases and illusions.
     • The King's Spiritual Insight: Bhartrhari declares that his true self is beyond physical form and worldly attachments. He sees his former life as a cycle of delusion and suffering. He emphasizes the importance of inner knowledge and renouncing worldly desires.
     • The King's Final Renunciation: Bhartrhari chooses spiritual liberation over worldly life, even over his revived wife and kingdom. He entrusts his kingdom to his son and resolves to dedicate himself to spiritual pursuits under Gorakshanath's guidance.
     • Gorakshanath's Blessing: Gorakshanath blesses Bhartrhari and praises his spiritual progress. He instructs Devatilak to coronate the prince and to assist Bhartrhari in his spiritual journey.
     • Conclusion: The drama concludes with Bhartrhari embarking on his path of renunciation, guided by Gorakshanath, signifying the ultimate victory of Vairagya over worldly desires.

5. The "Vairagyopanishad" Annotation: The text includes annotations that clarify philosophical concepts and allusions, particularly concerning the teachings on renunciation and the nature of reality. It draws parallels with other scriptures and traditions where relevant.

In essence, "Bhartuhari Nirvedam" is a powerful Jain drama that uses the legend of King Bhartrhari to illustrate the profound truth that true and lasting happiness lies in detachment from worldly pleasures and in the pursuit of spiritual knowledge. The drama provides a philosophical discourse on the transient nature of life, the illusion of attachment, and the ultimate liberation that comes from renouncing worldly desires.