Bhimsen Nrup Tatha Kandu Rajani Katha - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Bhimsen Nrup Tatha Kandu Rajani Katha," in English:

Book Title: Bhimsen Nrup Tatha Kandu Rajani Katha (The Story of King Bhimsen and King Kandu) Author: Jain Dharm Prasarak Sabha (Published by Jain Dharm Prasarak Sabha) Publisher: Jain Dharm Prasarak Sabha Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/032368/1

Overall Purpose and Dedication: This book is a collection of two stories, "The Story of King Bhimsen" and "The Story of King Kandu," presented as a gift to subscribers of "Shri Jain Dharm Prakash." It was published in memory of Sadhviji Kanchanshriji and with the financial assistance of Smt. Rambha, the deceased daughter of Shah Anandji Purushottam. The publication aims to spread the glory of Jainism and the significance of pilgrimage, particularly to Shatrunjay Mahatirtha.

Part 1: The Story of King Bhimsen

Introduction and Parentage: The story begins with King Vasen of Shravasti, a righteous ruler, and his queen Subhadra. They had two sons: the elder, Bhimsen, and the younger, Jinvallabh.

Bhimsen's Vices and Misrule: Despite being the elder son, Bhimsen was characterized by unrighteousness, indulgence in misdeeds, causing pain to elders and ascetics, and neglecting his duties. His younger brother, Jinvallabh, was virtuous, wise, and skilled in statecraft. However, King Vasen, despite knowing Bhimsen's flaws, appointed him as the heir apparent. Upon ascending to power, Bhimsen became even more corrupted, indulging in adultery and theft, and causing immense suffering to his subjects. The text quotes a saying highlighting the danger of combining youth, wealth, power, and foolishness, which Bhimsen embodied.

The People's Plight and the King's Intervention: Distressed by Bhimsen's oppressive rule, the subjects appealed to King Vasen. The king, after calming them, summoned Bhimsen and admonished him with moral teachings, urging him to follow righteousness, abandon vices, respect elders and Jineshwar (Jain Tirthankaras), and practice justice. However, Bhimsen remained unrepentant.

Bhimsen's Imprisonment and Further Downfall: Despite repeated advice, Bhimsen’s wickedness persisted. Consequently, the king imprisoned him. After his release, Bhimsen, with the help of wicked friends, continued his misdeeds. Driven by extreme anger and cruelty, he eventually murdered his parents, seized the throne, and further plunged into vices like intoxication, causing extreme misery to his subjects.

Bhimsen's Exile and Wanderings: Overwhelmed by Bhimsen's tyranny, his ministers and the public exiled him from the kingdom. Jinvallabh was then crowned as the new king, bringing peace and prosperity. Meanwhile, Bhimsen, living in exile, continued to cause trouble through theft and other immoral acts. He was scorned by people for his deceitful nature and suffering from diseases due to his excesses. He wandered from place to place, facing hardship and rejection.

Encounters and Trials: Bhimsen found temporary employment as a servant to a gardener, but his thieving nature led to his dismissal. He then worked for a merchant, stealing from the shop. Later, he was employed by another merchant, Maheshardatta, and embarked on a sea voyage. Their ship became stranded on coral reefs. Facing starvation, the merchant prepared for death. A divine parrot (the presiding deity of the mountain) advised them that if someone sacrificed themselves to drive away the Bharund birds on a nearby mountain, the wind from their wings would move the ship. Bhimsen, tempted by the merchant's offer of wealth, volunteered.

Bhimsen's Predicament and the Parrot's Guidance: After successfully dislodging the birds and freeing the ship, Bhimsen was stranded on the mountain. Desperate, he sought the parrot again. The parrot advised him to jump into the sea, be swallowed by a fish, and then, using a medicinal herb, force the fish to go to shore, from where he could escape. Bhimsen followed this advice and reached Sinhaldweep (Sri Lanka).

Bhimsen's Encounters in Sinhaldweep: In Sinhaldweep, Bhimsen encountered a deceptive mendicant (Tapasa) who promised him jewels from a mine. However, the mendicant betrayed Bhimsen, leaving him trapped in the mine to be sacrificed to a deity. Another prisoner in the mine told Bhimsen that celestial maidens would visit the mine the next day, and during the deity's worship and entertainment, he should escape. Bhimsen followed this plan and escaped, eventually reaching a city where he worked for a merchant named Lakshmipati. His thieving nature resurfaced, leading to his arrest and near execution.

Bhimsen's Rescue and Return: The merchant Maheshardatta recognized Bhimsen as someone who had helped his father and pleaded with the king for his release. Fearing further trouble, Bhimsen fled again and returned to Prithvipur. He met a traveler who guided him to the Rehanachal mountain.

Spiritual Guidance and Past Karma: On their journey, they met an ascetic named Jatil, who was visited by his disciple, Jangal. Jangal recounted his pilgrimage to Shatrunjay and Girnar, emphasizing their spiritual significance. Bhimsen, hearing this, was reminded of his own plight and expressed his despair. The ascetic explained that Bhimsen's suffering was due to his past negative karma, specifically for disrespecting a monk in a previous life. He advised Bhimsen to seek purification through pilgrimage and virtuous conduct.

Bhimsen's Redemption and Pilgrimage: Following the ascetic's advice, Bhimsen embarked on a pilgrimage to Rehanachal mountain. There, he prayed and obtained two precious gems. One he gave away, and while admiring the other on a ship, he accidentally dropped it into the sea. He was overcome with grief, but his companion consoled him and offered him another gem, urging him to proceed to Revatgiri.

Further Hardships and Guidance from a Monk: During his journey to Revatgiri, Bhimsen and his companion were robbed. Destitute and disheartened, they met a monk who explained the principles of Dharma, its benefits, and the consequences of abandoning it. The monk revealed that Bhimsen's suffering was a result of past negative karma and that proper adherence to Dharma would lead to prosperity and eventual salvation. He advised them to visit Ujjayantgiri (Girnar).

Bhimsen's Spiritual Transformation: Bhimsen, realizing the truth of the monk's words, proceeded to Revatgiri with his companions. He performed austerities and worshipped Lord Neminath. Later, he was reunited with his younger brother, Jinvallabh, who had been ruling their kingdom. Bhimsen accepted his rightful place, reinstated Jinvallabh as the Yuvaraj (crown prince), and made his foreign friend the chief of Kosh.

Renunciation and Attainment of Moksha: Bhimsen, moved by a spiritual realization, abdicated his throne in favor of his younger brother, embraced Jain monasticism, and diligently practiced austerities on Revatgiri. He eventually attained Kevalgyan (omniscience) and then Moksha (liberation). The text concludes by stating that King Bhimsen's story serves as a moral lesson and highlights the significance of these holy places.

Part 2: The Story of King Kandu

Kandu's Wickedness and Illness: King Kandu of Chandrapuri was a cruel and sinful ruler, engrossed in eighteen vices. His unjust actions brought him suffering, including a debilitating skin disease (leprosy). In his suffering, he remembered the importance of Dharma.

Divine Intervention and Test: While contemplating his misdeeds, a divine message appeared on a lotus leaf, sent by his clan deity, Ambika. The message emphasized that those who neglect Dharma despite having good fortune in previous lives are great sinners. Troubled by this, Kandu left his kingdom at night with the intention of ending his life.

Encounter with Ambika and the Cow: Outside the city, he encountered a beautiful cow. When the cow attacked him, he killed it. From the cow emerged a fierce woman with a bladed weapon, challenging him to a fight. When Kandu prepared to fight, he saw the woman stab his father (in a previous life context, implied) with her weapon. Overwhelmed with remorse for killing the cow and causing his father's suffering, he was further distressed.

Ambika's Revelation and Guidance: The woman revealed herself as Ambika, his clan deity, who had been testing him. She explained that his suffering was due to his past actions but that Dharma could still save him. She advised him to undertake pilgrimages and endure hardships with patience, promising to guide him further when he became worthy.

Kandu's Penance and Further Trials: Ambika disappeared, and Kandu, realizing his fortune in having his deity's guidance, resolved to purify himself. He wandered and faced further trials, including being trapped in a cave by an angry Yaksha who sought revenge for a past wrong committed by Kandu. Kandu reflected on the consequences of his actions.

Ambika's Final Guidance and Kandu's Liberation: Ambika reappeared and directed Kandu to solely worship Shatrunjay mountain, assuring him that its devotion would absolve all his sins. Kandu immediately set out for Shatrunjay, renouncing food and drink until he reached it. Upon arrival, he met a monk and, after hearing his teachings, embraced Jain monasticism. He then engaged in severe austerities and worshipped Lord Aadinath. This devotion purified him, leading to the eradication of his karmas and his attainment of salvation.

Significance of Shatrunjay and Other Kings: The story highlights the transformative power of Shatrunjay. It mentions other kings like Jitari and Shantanu, who found happiness and relief from suffering through the worship of Shatrunjay and its associated sites. Mahipal Kumar, afflicted with leprosy, was cured by touching the water of Suryakund on Shatrunjay.

List of Siddhas and Pilgrimage Details: The latter part of the text provides extensive lists of individuals who attained liberation at Shatrunjay throughout different eras. It details auspicious dates and events related to pilgrimages and temple consecrations. It also lists numerous names and epithets of Shatrunjay, emphasizing its holiness and the benefits of worshipping it. Finally, it describes the sanctity of the Rayan tree and the Shatrunjaya river, highlighting their spiritual significance and the merits of their worship.

In essence, the book "Bhimsen Nrup Tatha Kandu Rajani Katha" presents two cautionary tales about the consequences of unrighteous conduct and the ultimate power of Jain Dharma, pilgrimage, and austerity to overcome negative karma and achieve spiritual liberation.