Bindu Me Sindhu - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Bindu me Sindhu" (A Drop in the Ocean) by Devendramuni Shastri, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Bindu me Sindhu (बिन्दु में सिन्धु - A Drop in the Ocean) Author: Devendramuni Shastri Publisher: Shri Tarak Guru Jain Granthalay Theme: The book is a collection of short, inspirational anecdotes and parables that illustrate profound life lessons. The title itself suggests that within small, seemingly insignificant things (a drop), vast wisdom and significance (an ocean) can be found.

Overview:

"Bindu me Sindhu" is presented as a collection of "short life incidents" (लघु जीवन प्रसंग) that aim to provide guidance and inspiration to readers navigating the complexities of life. The book's preface highlights that in an era of scientific advancement, human minds are increasingly becoming restless, agitated, and lifeless. The book seeks to offer solutions and happiness by drawing from the lives of great individuals and through allegorical stories. It emphasizes that each parable offers food for thought and hints at future possibilities. The author, Devendramuni Shastri, is a disciple of the renowned speaker Shri Pushkar Muni Ji M. He has a prolific writing career, with over forty-five published and edited works.

Key Themes and Lessons Illustrated Through Anecdotes:

The book covers a wide range of human virtues, qualities, and life principles through short narratives featuring historical figures, saints, philosophers, and leaders. Some of the prominent themes and the individuals who exemplify them include:

Concentration (एकाग्रता): Illustrated by Pandit Todarmal Ji, a Jain scholar whose intense focus on writing his scripture made him unaware of his food being unsalted.
Greatness (महानता): Demonstrated by the writer Diderot, who magnanimously helped a struggling young writer, even by writing a dedication for him, showcasing his generosity and understanding.
Integrity/Authenticity (प्रामाणिकता): Highlighted through Abraham Lincoln, who returned three cents to an elderly woman, even though it was late and involved a significant effort, to ensure his honesty.
Forgiveness (क्षमा): Exemplified by Dayanand Saraswati, who humbly accepted his guru Birjanand's physical chastisement for a mistake and showed concern for his guru's well-being.
Detachment from Material Possessions/Pride (निस्पृहता): Shown through Mahakavi Nirala, who refused to meet the President in his official capacity, asserting his identity as a "husband of literature."
Love for Humanity (मानवता/प्रेम): Illustrated by the Islamic saint Abu Ben Adam, who, when asked if his name was in the list of God's beloved, requested to be on the list of those who love God's creations, implying God's love for those who love humanity.
Testing/Patience (परीक्षा): Shown through Swami Vivekananda's unwavering devotion to Shri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, even when the latter seemingly ignored him, proving his steadfastness.
Value of Education over Wealth (शिक्षा का महत्व): Represented by Pandit Motilal Nehru, who prioritized his son Jawaharlal's education over accumulating wealth, believing a well-educated child was a greater asset.
Respect for All (समता/आदर): Demonstrated by President Thomas Jefferson, who refused to stay at a hotel that denied him entry based on his simple attire, asserting that if a common farmer isn't accommodated, neither can the President.
Working from the Foundation (नींव का पत्थर): Embodied by Lal Bahadur Shastri, who wished to be a foundational stone rather than a celebrated monument, emphasizing humble service.
Selfless Service (सेवा): Illustrated by the ascetic Ibrahim, who sold his donkey to care for a sick traveler and then carried him on his shoulders.
Secret of Success (सफलता का राज): Attributed to the sculptor who spent an hour meticulously refining a statue, demonstrating the power of concentration and dedication.
The Nature of Change/Transience of Life (परिवर्तन): Conveyed through Bahlul Dana's interaction with the king, where he highlights the equality of all in death and questions the king's pride and mistreatment of others.
Creative Process (कविता का जन्म): Depicted through Rabindranath Tagore and Kshitimohan Sen's train journey, illustrating the need for quietude and respect during the birth of creativity.
Abhorrence of Slander (निन्दा): Stressed by Saint Augustine and Lord Mahavira, who equated slander to eating flesh from one's own back, emphasizing the need to avoid speaking ill of others.
Ignoring Critics (निंदक का कोई स्मारक नहीं): Advised by composer Sibelius, who encouraged focusing on self-improvement rather than being disheartened by critics, as critics are never memorialized.
Art of Living (जीवन जीने की कला): Represented by Plato, who advised letting critics speak freely, as a righteous life will naturally discredit their words.
Understanding Life and Death (जीवन और मृत्यु): Explained by Lao Tzu, who suggests that the essence of life and death are beyond physical existence, and relationships merely change.
Noble Sentiments (भव्य भावना): Exemplified by Abraham Lincoln, who saved a shivering puppy, prioritizing compassion for a creature over the cleanliness of his coat, stating that not helping would have caused lifelong regret.
Renunciation (स्वर्ग के बदले नरक): Illustrated by Saint Falijanan Ayaz, who refused a thousand gold coins from Caliph Harun Rashid, stating that offering a means to hell in exchange for the path to heaven was unacceptable.
Self-Reflection (महान श्लोक): Highlighted by Emperor Vikramaditya's verse, urging daily introspection on one's actions and their alignment with virtuous living.
Kindness and Generosity (गोल्डस्मिथ की गोलियाँ): Shown through Oliver Goldsmith, who, upon hearing of a poor woman's plight, sent her ten gold coins instead of medicine, advising her to use them as needed.
Inner Purity and Detachment (सन्त तुकाराम की महानता): Depicted by Sant Tukaram, who, after a thief stole his buffalo, willingly offered the buffalo's milk to others, reflecting on his own attachment as a cause for the theft.
Maintaining One's Nature (सज्जनों को अपना स्वभाव नहीं छोड़ना चाहिए): Emphasized by Maharshi Raman, who advised not to retaliate against thieves, as good people should not abandon their principles just because others do not.
Critique of Darwin's Theory (डार्विन का सिद्धान्त असत्य है): A humorous take where monkeys argue against being human ancestors due to humans' vices.
Generosity and Sharing (देव बनना है या दानव ?): Illustrated by Vinoba Bhave, who learned from his mother the virtue of sharing fruits before consuming them, understanding that giving makes one divine.
Path to Liberation (मुक्ति का मार्ग): Taught by Saint Macarius, who used the analogy of graveyard corpses to explain that equanimity in both praise and criticism is the path to liberation.
Self-Awareness (दर्पण में चेहरा क्यों देखना चाहिए?): Explained by Socrates, who believed that seeing oneself in a mirror, whether beautiful or ugly, helps one strive for good deeds.
The Essence of Leadership (सुलतान बनने का रहस्य): Attributed to Hassan, whose success as Sultan was based on true friendship, generous behavior towards enemies, and goodwill towards all.
Adherence to Principles (सिद्धान्त-निष्ठा): Exemplified by Lal Bahadur Shastri, who returned to jail after his daughter's funeral, prioritizing his commitment to principles over extended parole.
Courage and Empathy (एक उपाय, एक तरकीब): Shown through a young boy who bravely intervened to protect another from a bully, offering to share the punishment, which ultimately led to the bully's remorse. This boy later became the poet Lord Byron.
Honesty (प्रामाणिकता): Again highlighted through Lal Bahadur Shastri, who insisted on paying for sarees for his family, refusing any special treatment as Prime Minister.
Truthfulness (सत्य-निष्ठा): Illustrated by Gopalakrishna Gokhale, who saved for two months to repay a friend for a movie ticket, demonstrating his commitment to truth and repaying debts.
Value of Life (जीवन का मूल्य): Conveyed through Lord Buddha's intervention in a dispute over water, reminding people that life is more precious than anything material.
Power of Truth (सत्य की शक्ति): Shown through Hazrat Gausul, who, despite being robbed by bandits, truthfully revealed the location of his forty gold coins, adhering to his mother's advice, which led to the bandits' remorse and return of the stolen goods.
Importance of Curiosity (जिज्ञासा): Emphasized by Imam Ghazali, who attributed his vast knowledge to his willingness to ask questions about what he didn't know.
Wisdom in Silence (चुप रहना सीखो): Illustrated by a scholar advising a teacher to learn silence from a donkey rather than teaching a donkey to speak, suggesting that refraining from pointless talk is better than foolish effort.
Empathy for Suffering (दुःख की कल्पना): Demonstrated by Prophet Yusuf, who ate only half a meal, to constantly remember and empathize with the suffering of the hungry populace.
Self-Control (घृणा): Conveyed through Bairam Khan's advice to Emperor Akbar on exercising restraint in speech with superiors, inferiors, and equals.
The Root of Happiness (प्रसन्नता का मूल): Shown through Sun Shu Ao, a prime minister who remained unperturbed by being dismissed and reinstated multiple times, understanding that true joy comes from within, not from external positions.
True Wealth is Contentment (सच्चा धन): Illustrated by a wealthy merchant who, after encountering a simple yogi and a contented couple, realized that contentment, not material wealth, is the true source of happiness.
Duty and Authority (कर्नल कदाफी): A story about Colonel Gaddafi, who, disguised as a common citizen, was refused service by a doctor, only for the doctor to realize his disrespect when Gaddafi revealed his identity and authority, emphasizing the importance of duty.
Humility and Avoiding Judgment (तू नहीं उठता तो अच्छा होता): Shown through Sheikh Saadi's father, who cautioned him against criticizing others for sleeping, implying that one's own spiritual practice is more important than judging others.
True Greatness is Character, Not Titles (उपाधि महानता की प्रतीक नहीं है): Depicted by King James, who could grant titles but not make someone a gentleman, highlighting that virtues, not designations, define greatness.
Gifts of Wisdom (उपहार): A sage gifting a candle (to illuminate others), a needle (to connect), and a soft thread (to be flexible), symbolizing essential life qualities.
Leadership and Responsibility (प्रजातन्त्र का नेता): A humorous prophecy about a child who shouts "wake up, move forward" in his sleep, suggesting he will be a leader who prompts others rather than leading by example.
Self-Reliance (स्वाबलम्बी लिंकन): Abraham Lincoln polishing his own shoes and advising a friend not to be dependent on others for even small tasks.
The Harshness of Words (कटुवचन): Buddha comparing harsh words to iron and even harder, emphasizing the need for careful speech.
Fearlessness and Truthfulness (निभीकता): Exemplified by Bal Gangadhar Tilak, who, as a student, truthfully stated his room was clean and therefore he didn't need to clean it, showcasing his courage and honesty.
Authenticity vs. Imitation (असली और नकली): Picasso explaining that a replica, even if made by the artist, is not the original "authentic" work, illustrating the concept of originality and essence.
Devotion to Duty (कर्तव्य-निष्ठा): Pandit Ramprasad Bismil calmly performing his daily rituals and dressing in new clothes before his execution, highlighting his unwavering commitment to duty.
Mockery of Democracy (प्रजातन्त्र का परिहास): A satirical piece about a passenger traveling without a ticket who claims he will continue to do so freely after self-rule is established, reflecting a common critique.
The Journey from Soul to Super Soul (आत्मा से परमात्मा): Described through an analogy of a sculptor chiseling a stone, implying that by removing unnecessary aspects of oneself (like desires and aversions), one can reveal their divine nature.
Understanding Relationships (मेरे बच्चों की माँ): Socrates' witty response to his wife's outburst, comparing her tantrums to the "geh-geh" of ducks that lay eggs, highlighting that even difficult relationships have their purpose.
Marriage as a Mystery (विवाह आश्चर्य का कारण बना): Abraham Lincoln's remark about his marriage being a constant source of surprise, reflecting the unpredictable nature of marital relationships.
Appreciation of True Value (अच्छी वस्तु): Bernard Shaw's wife cleverly refuting his statement that women cannot recognize good things by affirming that she chose him, implying she recognized his value.
Focus on Work, Not Personal Opinions (काम से मतलब): Napoleon's pragmatic approach to appointing officials, prioritizing their ability to perform their job over their personal loyalty.
The Secret of Success (सफलता का रहस्य): A sage advising to never accept failure until it has physically overcome you, emphasizing perseverance.
Caution Against Suspicion (सावधानी): Chen Chiju's advice to be wary of those who doubt good news and readily believe bad news about others.
Unwavering Faith (अचल-आस्था): Chanakya's confidence in his intellect even when betrayed by his companions, demonstrating steadfast belief in his own abilities.
Humility and Perspective (छोटा कद): Lal Bahadur Shastri's witty response to Ayub Khan about his short stature, turning it into an advantage by suggesting he doesn't have to bow as much.
Pride in Achievement (गौरव का मूल : पुरुषार्थ): Ephraites telling Harmodius that true glory comes from personal effort, not lineage.
Influence of Company (संगति का प्रभाव): Birbal's humorous explanation to Akbar about how association can influence behavior.
The Danger of Attachment (कंचन-कामिनी का संग): Ramakrishna Paramahamsa explaining that even good oil becomes impure with prolonged contact with water, illustrating the corrupting influence of attachment to wealth and pleasure.
True Succession (उत्तराधिकारी): Guru Amar Das recognizing Ram Das as his successor due to his unwavering dedication and diligence in completing tasks, even when repetitive.
Duty vs. Personal Desire (कर्तव्य): Alexander the Great allowing his Guru Aristotle to cross a river first, prioritizing his Guru's life and the continuation of knowledge over his own immediate desire.
True Renunciation (महान त्यागी कौन ?): A yogi explaining to a king that true renunciation is giving up what is precious (like spiritual pursuits) and keeping what is trash (material attachments), making the king realize his own greater renunciation.
The Illusion of Identity (नाम का व्यामोह): A story about a dog named Shataba, who, due to the insult associated with its name, feels like it has wives and is unwilling to leave, illustrating how attachment to mere names can lead to delusion.
Meaningless Display (प्रदर्शन): A tragic story of a poor woman who burns her hut to show off a new bangle, highlighting the foolishness of seeking external validation through show-off.
Equanimity (समता): The core of spiritual practice, illustrated by Ram's composure in both receiving kingship and facing exile. It also uses an anecdote about a person feeling insulted by a broken papad, leading to his ruin due to revengeful thoughts.
Avoiding Flattery (खुशामदी): Birbal's clever response to Akbar, stating he is a servant of the Emperor, not the eggplant, thus avoiding being labeled a flatterer.
Self-Reflection (अपने आपको देखो): A librarian's innovative display of a mirror alongside books, encouraging readers to also reflect on their own lives and contributions.
Discernment (अपना विवेक): A shopkeeper explaining that while he sells cigarettes and even poison pills, it is the customer's discretion (vivek) to use them wisely.
Hospitality (अतिथि देवो भव): A story about Chinese traveler Xuanzang's experience in India, where he was offered milk and sherbet by a house owner, who explained the Indian tradition of treating guests as divine.
National Pride (देश की शान): Veer Durgadas's bravery in protecting his fields, leading to the king recognizing his valor and the importance of such brave individuals for the nation.
Curiosity as the Root of Progress (जिज्ञासा : प्रगति का मूल): Luqman's wisdom gained by learning from the ill-mannered, highlighting that curiosity drives progress.
The Secret of Success (सफलता का रहस्य): Patience and waiting for the right time, illustrated by carrying water in a sieve until it freezes.
The Reason for Defeat (पराजय का रहस्य): Nadir Shah's disdain for the ostentatious water presentation by Muhammad Shah's court, contrasting it with his own simple, practical approach, which he attributes to his success.

Overall Message:

"Bindu me Sindhu" aims to distill profound philosophical and ethical teachings into easily digestible stories. It emphasizes the importance of virtues like honesty, integrity, compassion, detachment, self-control, perseverance, and equanimity. By drawing examples from diverse personalities and situations, the book encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and strive for a more meaningful and virtuous existence. The collection serves as a reminder that even in the smallest incidents, there is a universe of wisdom waiting to be discovered.