Bhimsen Nrup Katha Tatha Kandu Raja Katha - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bhimsen Nrup Katha Tatha Kandu Raja Katha," based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose and Context:

The book, published by Jain Dharm Prasarak Sabha, presents two main narratives: the story of King Bhimsen and the story of King Kandu. It serves as a religious text aimed at conveying moral lessons, the glory of Jain Tirthas (holy places), and the path to spiritual liberation. The publication is dedicated to the memory of Sadhvi Kanchanshriji and her sister Rambha, highlighting the importance of remembrance and spiritual devotion.

Part 1: The Story of King Bhimsen (Pages 3-27)

The narrative begins with an invocation to Lord Parshvanath and Lord Mahavir. It then introduces the land of Jambu Dwipa, specifically the Bharata region, and the prosperous city of Shravan.

Bhimsen's Early Life and Character: King Bhimsen is born to King Vajsen and Queen Subhadra. However, from a young age, Bhimsen is depicted as lacking in virtues. He is described as unjust, engaging in misconduct, causing pain to elders, and oppressing his subjects. His younger brother, Jinvallabh, is portrayed as virtuous and skilled in statecraft. Despite Bhimsen's negative qualities, King Vajsen anoints him as the Yuvaraj (crown prince).
Bhimsen's Reign of Tyranny: Upon assuming power, Bhimsen becomes engrossed in worldly pleasures, lusts for other men's wives, and covets their wealth. He further oppresses his subjects, leading them to cry out to King Vajsen for relief. King Vajsen attempts to counsel Bhimsen, emphasizing righteousness, renunciation of forbidden acts, devotion to elders and Jineshwar, and adherence to justice. However, Bhimsen remains unrepentant, likened to a snake that drinks nectar but doesn't shed its poison.
Banishment and Further Misdeeds: Unable to reform Bhimsen, King Vajsen imprisons him. Upon his release, Bhimsen, with the help of his wicked friends, murders his parents, seizes the throne, and continues his tyrannical rule. The ministers and nobles, disgusted by his actions, banish him from the kingdom. Jinvallabh is then crowned king.
Bhimsen's Wandering and Continued Immorality: Exiled, Bhimsen resorts to thievery and other immoral acts, causing distress to people. He suffers greatly due to his vices, including an addiction to gambling and association with prostitutes. He is often beaten by people for his misdeeds.
Encounters and Divine Intervention:
- The Gardener: Bhimsen seeks refuge with a gardener but steals from him, leading to his expulsion.
- The Merchant and the Shipwreck: He finds employment with a merchant named Maheshwardatt and boards a ship. The ship gets stuck on coral reefs. As resources dwindle, the merchant prepares for death. A divine parrot (identified as the presiding deity of the mountain) advises that the ship can be freed if someone courageous flies to a nearby mountain and disturbs the "Bharand" birds, whose wingbeats will propel the ship. Bhimsen, lured by the merchant's offer of wealth, undertakes this task, and the ship is freed. However, Bhimsen is left stranded on the mountain.
- The Parrot's Second Intervention: The same parrot reappears and advises Bhimsen to jump into the sea to be swallowed by a large fish, then to use a specific herb to make the fish regurgitate him on the shore, from where he can reach Sinhala Dwipa. Bhimsen follows this advice and reaches Sinhala Dwipa.
Encounter with a Ascetic and Betrayal: In Sinhala Dwipa, Bhimsen meets an ascetic who, under the guise of helping him find treasures, leads him into a mine. The ascetic then cuts the rope, leaving Bhimsen trapped to be sacrificed to the mine deity. A fellow victim in the mine advises Bhimsen to escape during a divine ceremony.
Reunion with his Brother and Return to His Kingdom: After escaping the mine, Bhimsen travels to a city and works for a merchant named Lakshmipati. He steals from the merchant and is caught. However, the same merchant Maheshwardatt (referred to as Ishwardatt here) recognizes Bhimsen as having helped him previously and secures his release from the king. Fearing punishment, Bhimsen flees again and eventually reaches his homeland. He is reunited with his younger brother, Jinvallabh, who has become king. Bhimsen is welcomed back, relinquishes his previous claims, and accepts his brother's rule.
Bhimsen's Transformation and Penance: Remorseful for his past actions, particularly the murder of his parents, Bhimsen dedicates himself to righteous deeds. He beautifies the land with Jain temples and engages in acts of devotion. He undertakes severe penance on Mount Revat (Girnar) and performs rituals to Lord Neminath.
Spiritual Attainment: The narrative culminates with Bhimsen renouncing his worldly life, taking initiation from Muni Gyanchandra, and achieving Keval Gyana (omniscience) and ultimately Moksha (liberation) on Mount Revat. The text highlights the merit of worshipping the Tirthas, especially Shatrunjay and Revatgiri, for spiritual progress.

Part 2: The Story of King Kandu (Pages 28-31)

Kandu's Wickedness and Suffering: King Kandu of Chandrapuri is depicted as a wicked king, consumed by vices and cruelty, leading to his suffering from a skin disease (kshay rog). He only remembers religion when faced with death.
Divine Intervention and Test: While contemplating his sins, a divine message on a Kalpa-vriksha leaf appears, sent by his clan goddess Ambika. The message reminds him of his past merits and the importance of dharma. Ambika then appears to him in disguise as a beautiful cow and then as a fierce woman (Chamunda), testing his resolve and testing him for his past actions. In an encounter where he strikes the divine form, he realizes he has committed a grave sin (killing his father, in a symbolic representation).
Ambika's Guidance: Ambika reveals herself as his clan goddess and advises him to undertake penance and pilgrimage to Shatrunjay to atone for his sins. She states that he is not yet fit for spiritual merit and needs to undergo further trials.
Kandu's Pilgrimage and Liberation: Kandu, accepting Ambika's guidance, undertakes the pilgrimage to Shatrunjay. He practices severe penance and worships Lord Adinath. Through his devotion and penance, he purifies himself, sheds his karmic burdens, and ultimately attains Moksha.
Glory of Shatrunjay and Other Tirthas: The narrative emphasizes the immense power of Shatrunjay, stating that even a brief connection with it can lead to salvation. It mentions other great souls like Jitari, Shantanu, and Mahipala Kumar who attained well-being and liberation through the worship of Shatrunjay and its sacred waters.

Additional Information (Pages 31-36):

List of Siddhas: The text provides a detailed list of numerous souls who have attained liberation (Siddhipada) at Shatrunjay and Revatgiri, including their numbers, reinforcing the sanctity of these sites.
Festivals and Dates: Important dates associated with these holy places are mentioned, such as the anniversary of the installation of the idol of Lord Adinath in 1587 and the birth and initiation anniversaries of Lord Rishabhdev.
Renovations and Devotion: The text lists 16 major renovations (Uddhars) of the temples at Shatrunjay, highlighting the continuous efforts of pious individuals and kings to maintain and enhance the sanctity of the Tirthas.

Conclusion:

The book "Bhimsen Nrup Katha Tatha Kandu Raja Katha" serves as a guide for spiritual aspirants, illustrating the consequences of unrighteous living through the stories of Bhimsen and Kandu. It strongly advocates for the worship of Jain Tirthas, particularly Shatrunjay and Revatgiri, as pathways to spiritual purification, merit accumulation, and ultimate liberation (Moksha). The narrative emphasizes the transformative power of devotion, penance, and adherence to Jain principles.