Botter Natarano Prabandh Tatha Teni Sazzay

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Botter Natarano Prabandh tatha Teni Sazzay" by Motilal Narottamdas Kapadia, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Botter Natarano Prabandh tatha Teni Sazzay (The Treatise of Seventy-Two Relational Connections and their Ballad)

Author: Motilal Narottamdas Kapadia

Publisher: Motilal Narottamdas Kapadia, Bhavnagar.

Core Subject: The book focuses on the concept of "Natarano" (relational connections), particularly elaborating on the "Adhar Natara" (Eighteen Relational Connections) and the "Botter Natara" (Seventy-Two Relational Connections) that arise from them. The central theme revolves around the complexities and consequences of incestuous relationships, a concept explored within a Jain ethical framework.

Author's Intent (Page 3): Motilal Kapadia states his intention is to spread knowledge. He observes a growing human desire for stories, but laments that many are fictional and misleading. He hopes that by presenting true narratives of past events, readers will glean valuable lessons and avoid straying into unethical paths. He emphasizes that the credit for the original narrative belongs to the primary author.

Dedication (Page 4): The book is dedicated to the author's father, Narottamdas Nanchand. The author expresses deep gratitude for his father's love, upbringing, educational support, care, honesty, sincerity, resilience, practical skills, and fearlessness. He presents this small book as a token of his filial affection and indebtedness.

Introduction (Page 6):

• The book aims to present the "Adhar Natara" (Eighteen Relational Connections), a well-known narrative about men and women blinded by lust who engage in incestuous acts with close relatives like mothers, daughters, sisters, sons, and brothers, disregarding familial bonds.
• It further elaborates on the "Botter Natara" (Seventy-Two Relational Connections) derived from these eighteen.
• The "Sazzay" (Ballad) of the "Adhar Natara," composed by Shri Het Vijayji Maharaj, is also included in the latter part of the book.
• The author apologizes for any inaccuracies found in the text.

The Narrative of the "Adhar Natara" (Pages 7-12): The core story, illustrating the "Adhar Natara," is presented as follows:

1. Kuber-Sena, the Courtesan of Mathura: A beautiful courtesan named Kuber-Sena in Mathura, feared losing her youth, which was her sole means of livelihood. Her mother advised her to abort a pregnancy to avoid hardship. Kuber-Sena, however, chose to give birth.
2. Abandonment of the Twins: Upon the birth of a son and a daughter, Kuber-Sena's mother again advised her to abandon them, comparing them to refuse, as they would consume her youth. Kuber-Sena complied.
3. The Twins' Discovery and Naming: The infants were placed in a box with inscribed rings (mudrika) on their fingers, naming them Kuber-Datta (the son) and Kuber-Datta (the daughter). The box was set adrift in the Yamuna River.
4. Adoption and Marriage: The box drifted to Shauripur, where a childless merchant couple found and adopted the twins as their son and daughter. They were raised and, upon reaching adulthood, were married with great celebration.
5. The Revelation of Kinship: While playing dice, Kuber-Datta's ring fell into Kuber-Datta's lap. Examining it, Kuber-Datta noticed the similarity in their appearances and the inscribed names. She began to suspect they were siblings. They questioned their adoptive parents, who revealed their true origins.
6. The Incestuous Union and its Consequences: Upon learning this, Kuber-Datta felt remorse for their incestuous union. Their parents advised them to abandon this relationship, stating that since only physical union had occurred, it wasn't a grave sin. Kuber-Datta was advised to travel abroad for business, and upon his return, he would marry someone else.
7. Kuber-Datta's Return and Union with Kuber-Sena: Kuber-Datta went to Mathura and formed a relationship with his birth mother, Kuber-Sena. From this union, another son was born.
8. Kuber-Datta's Renunciation and the Sadhvi's Intervention: Kuber-Datta, renouncing worldly pleasures, took Jain diksha (initiation) and attained Avadhi Gyana (clairvoyant knowledge). She witnessed Kuber-Datta living incestuously with his mother, Kuber-Sena. To guide them, the Sadhvi came to Mathura and resided in a nearby monastery, delivering sermons.
9. The Ballad of Complex Relationships: The Sadhvi, while cradling Kuber-Datta's new child, sang a lullaby that intricately detailed the numerous and complex relational connections (six each) between the child, Kuber-Datta, Kuber-Sena, and the Sadhvi herself. This was done to highlight the perversity of their actions and the far-reaching consequences. The lullaby revealed how the same individuals could be father, brother, son, uncle, grandfather, husband, etc., to each other, illustrating the chaos caused by incest.
10. Realization and Renunciation: Hearing this, Kuber-Datta was filled with remorse and renounced his worldly life, taking diksha. Kuber-Sena also accepted the path of a lay follower (shravak).
11. Moral Lesson: The text concludes by stating that those who understand the defects of sensual indulgence and shun lustful behavior, embracing virtuous chastity, become revered in the world, like Kuber-Datta.

The "Botter Natara" (Seventy-Two Relational Connections) (Pages 13-18):

• This section, attributed to Pandit Shri Virvijayji, further elaborates on the "Botter Natara," explaining how 18 such relationships can generate 72.
• The text provides a detailed breakdown of these complex relationships from the perspective of the child, Kuber-Datta, Kuber-Sena, and the Sadhvi. It systematically lists the six ways each individual can be related to another, demonstrating the incestuous web. For instance, the Sadhvi can be the child's mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, etc., due to the tangled relationships. Similarly, Kuber-Datta's relationships are analyzed from multiple angles.
• The purpose is to underscore the profound moral and ethical transgressions involved and the resulting entanglement of familial roles.

"Adhar Natara ni Sazzay" (Ballad of the Eighteen Relational Connections) by Shri Het Vijayji (Pages 19-24):

• This section presents the narrative in the form of a ballad (sazzay), making it more accessible and engaging.
• It retells the story of Kuber-Sena, the abandonment of her twins, their discovery, marriage, and the subsequent revelation of their incestuous relationship through the ring.
• The ballad emphasizes the karmic consequences and the importance of renunciation and virtuous conduct.
• It concludes with a hymn praising the virtues of tapas (austerity) and glorifying the spiritual lineage of "Het Vijay."

Overall Message: "Botter Natarano Prabandh tatha Teni Sazzay" serves as a Jain moralistic narrative illustrating the severe consequences of succumbing to lust and engaging in incest. It uses a complex story and detailed explanations of familial relationships to highlight the importance of maintaining righteous conduct, respecting familial boundaries, and understanding the principles of karma. The text aims to educate readers about the ethical teachings of Jainism and guide them towards a virtuous life.