Chandraprabh Charitram - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the "Chandraprabh Charitram" based on the provided text:

Book Title: Chandraprabh Charitram Author: Virnandi Editors: Durgaprasad Pandit, Vasudeva Laxmana Shastri Panashikar Publisher: Tukaram Javaji Publication Year: 1912 Edition: Third Revised Edition Language: Sanskrit (with an English title page) Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/022629/1

Overall Summary:

The "Chandraprabh Charitram" is an epic poem (Mahakavya) by the poet Virnandi, detailing the life and deeds of the eighth Jain Tirthankara, Chandraprabha. The narrative follows a traditional biographical structure, beginning with auspicious invocations and descriptions of the setting, then moving through the various stages of the Tirthankara's life, his renunciation, spiritual practice, and eventual attainment of liberation (Kaivalya). The work is rich in descriptions of characters, landscapes, events, and philosophical teachings.

Key Content by Chapter (Sarga):

Chapter 1 (Sarga 1): Begins with mangalacharana (auspicious invocations) and descriptions of virtuous and unvirtuous people. It then details the country of Mangalavati, the city of Ratnasanchaya, its king Kanakaprabha, his queen Suvarnamala, and their son Padmanabha. The king witnesses the suffering of an old bull and experiences disillusionment (nirveda). He then relinquishes his kingdom to his son Padmanabha and takes up asceticism. Padmanabha, in turn, crowns his son Suvarnanabha as Yuvaraja (crown prince) and enjoys royal pleasures.
Chapter 2 (Sarga 2): The king learns from a forester about the arrival of Muni Shridhara. It describes the munificent influence of the muni on the royal garden. The king, with his retinue, visits the muni. The king questions the muni about topics like life and death. The muni then instructs the king. Subsequently, the king inquires about his past births, and the muni provides detailed answers, including a description of the country of Sugandhi.
Chapter 3 (Sarga 3): This chapter focuses on the city of Shripura, its king Shresena, and his queen Shrikanta. The queen's sorrow due to being childless is described. The king consoles her by stating that destiny is beyond human control. During a visit to the royal garden, the king encounters the Charana muni Ananta. The king asks the muni about his restless mind, and the muni advises him that desire for a son prevents him from achieving detachment. The queen eventually conceives through the grace of Nandishvara worship, and the birth of Shrivarma, who would become a Tirthankara, is celebrated.
Chapter 4 (Sarga 4): Describes Shrivarma, his marriage to Prabhava, and his coronation as Yuvaraja. The king enjoys his kingdom. One day, witnessing a meteor fall from the sky, the king becomes dispassionate and renounces worldly pleasures. He counsels his son and then takes up asceticism under Muni Shrivarma, eventually attaining Kevala Jnana (omniscience). Shrivarma's conquest of different regions and his return to Shripura are narrated. Upon seeing autumn clouds, the king experiences renewed dispassion. He then hands over the kingdom to his son Shrikanta and, after practicing penance, is reborn as the god Shridhara in Saudharma heaven.
Chapter 5 (Sarga 5): This chapter shifts to Dhatakhanda island and describes the country of Alaka in Purva Videha. It introduces the city of Kosala and its king Ajitanjaya and his queen Jitasena. The god Shridhara is reborn as their son, known as Ajitasena. The prince Ajitasena is crowned Yuvaraja. During an assembly, Prince Ajitasena is abducted by the Asura Chandraruchi. The king laments the loss of his son. Muni Tapobhushana arrives, and the king seeks his son's return. The muni assures him that his son will return in a few days.
Chapter 6 (Sarga 6): The prince Ajitasena, released by the Asura, falls into the lake Manorama. He emerges and travels through the Parusha forest and mountains. While ascending a mountain to survey the forest boundary, he has a dispute and fight with a man. The man transforms into a divine form and reveals himself as Hiranya, a celestial being, offering a boon. Hiranya explains the reason for the enmity between Chandraruchi and Ajitasena. Ajitasena, due to Hiranya's power, finds himself in the forest boundary. He sees fleeing Anjanas and learns that the king Jayavarma of Vipula city in the country of Arinjaya is trying to forcibly abduct Shishiprabha, the daughter of Jayavarma, and a war is ongoing. Ajitasena goes there, kills Mahendra, and enters Jayavarma's palace with him. Ajitasena and Shishiprabha fall in love. Jayavarma, pleased, gives his daughter to Ajitasena. The chapter then describes the city of Aditya south of Vijayardha mountain and its ruler, the Khechara king Dharanidhvaja, who sees a dwarf in his court. He hears about his own impending death from the groom of Shishiprabha. Dharanidhvaja besieges Jayavarma's city. Dharanidhvaja's envoy meets Jayavarma. Jayavarma's envoy describes the events. Ajitasena vows to kill Dharanidhvaja. A divine chariot arrives for the battle. The battle is described, and Dharanidhvaja is killed. Ajitasena marries Shishiprabha and returns to his city.
Chapter 7 (Sarga 7): Describes Ajitasena's acquisition of supra-mundane prosperity and his coronation. The arrival of Jinapati Svayamprabha is narrated. Ajitanjaya questions the muni about the cycle of birth and liberation. The muni answers. Ajitanjaya, filled with dispassion, attains the refuge of listening (to the dharma). Ajitasena's victorious expedition and prosperity are described, along with his return to the city and the description of its women and enjoyment of his kingdom.
Chapter 8 (Sarga 8): Focuses on the description of spring, narrated by the king.
Chapter 9 (Sarga 9): Details the excursion to a garden and enjoyment within it, including water sports.
Chapter 10 (Sarga 10): Describes the evening, darkness, moonrise, nocturnal activities, and the end of the night, narrated by a bard.
Chapter 11 (Sarga 11): The king enters his court. The description of elephant sports is given. The king becomes dispassionate after seeing an elephant kill someone. At that very moment, he hears about the arrival of Muni Gunaprabha. The king, with his retinue, goes to meet the muni. Several other monks are described. The king praises the muni and converses with him. The king then receives initiation from the muni and takes up asceticism, having entrusted his kingdom to his son. His ascetic practices are described. The king attains the heaven of Achyuta Kalpa. It is revealed that he was Padmanabha, son of Suvarnamala and Kanakaprabha in Ratnasanchaya city in a previous life. Padmanabha, still in doubt after hearing about his past lives, again asks Muni Shridhara for clarification. The muni tells the king that in ten days, an elephant will come to his city after leaving its herd, which will confirm his words. The king is told that he will believe everything upon seeing the elephant. The arrival of the elephant for sport is described, and its taming.
Chapter 12 (Sarga 12): The envoy sent by King Prithvipala for the elephant speaks. The king and the envoy of the Yuvaraja exchange words. Discussions on strategy occur.
Chapter 13 (Sarga 13): Describes the victorious expedition and the river Jalavahini encountered on the way.
Chapter 14 (Sarga 14): Describes the Manikyuta mountain, the encampment of the army, and the arrival of King Prithvipala with his army.
Chapter 15 (Sarga 15): The battle is described, and King Prithvipala is killed. King Padmanabha experiences dispassion upon seeing the head of Krantripu. Padmanabha then entrusts his kingdom to his son Suvarnanabha, receives initiation from Muni Shridhara, and practices penance. After shedding his mortal body, he becomes Indra in the Anuttara Vaijayanta heaven.
Chapter 16 (Sarga 16): Describes the country of Purva Desa and the city of Chandrapuri. It introduces King Mahasena and his queen Lakshmana. The king's victorious expedition and return to the city are narrated. The queen experiences a dream, and it is stated that Indra has incarnated in her womb.
Chapter 17 (Sarga 17): The birth of the Jinendra is described. Shachi places a replica infant born of magic on the infant Tirthankara's chest and then takes the Jinendra to Swarga. The Jinendra's service in heaven, his abhisheka (consecration), and Indra's description of the Jinendra's glory are narrated. Again, the Jinendra attains his mother's lap. Childhood activities and gifts sent by Kubera are described. His marriage and empire are mentioned. The health of the subjects is described. DharmaRuchi, a divine being of great age sent by Indra, speaks to the king. The king describes the impermanence of worldly existence. The king takes up asceticism and experiences divine prosperity.
Chapter 18 (Sarga 18): This chapter provides a concise summary of the Jain doctrine (Jinasiddhanta).
Prakshipta (Appendix): A "Prakshipta" section is mentioned at the end of the chapter list, likely containing additional verses or commentary, and then the "Grathakartuh Prashasti" (Praise of the Author) follows.

Key Themes and Stylistic Features:

Devotional: The text is devotional in nature, praising the Tirthankaras and adherence to Jain principles.
Biographical: It follows the life story of Chandraprabha, a common approach for biographies of Tirthankaras.
Philosophical: It integrates Jain philosophical concepts such as karma, rebirth, liberation, the nature of the soul, and the cycle of existence.
Descriptive: The poem employs rich descriptions of nature, cities, palaces, battles, and celestial realms.
Moral Instruction: Throughout the narrative, moral lessons and guidance are provided, often through the words of enlightened beings or the king's reflections.
Past Lives: The concept of past lives and their impact on present circumstances is a recurring element, explaining the origins of conflicts and relationships.
Dispassion (Nirveda): The attainment of dispassion through observing the impermanence of life and worldly affairs is a central theme, leading to renunciation and spiritual practice.
Poetic Language: The original Sanskrit text (as indicated by the chapter titles and verses) is crafted in elegant and evocative language, typical of classical Indian poetry.

Significance:

The "Chandraprabh Charitram" serves as an important source for understanding the life and teachings of Tirthankara Chandraprabha within the Jain tradition. Its detailed narrative, philosophical depth, and poetic artistry make it a significant work of Jain literature. The editors' work in providing a revised edition underscores its continued relevance and the effort to make it accessible.