Chandraprabh Charitram Part 01

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Chandraprabh Charitram Part 01," authored by Hitvardhanvijay and published by Kusum Amrut Trust, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Chandraprabh Charitram Part 01 (श्रीचन्द्रप्रभचरित्रम् प्रथमः खण्डः) Author: Hitvardhanvijay (हितवर्धनविजय) Publisher: Kusum Amrut Trust (कुसुम-अमृत ट्रस्ट), Vapi (वापी) Original Author: Devendrasurishwar (देवेन्द्रसूरीश्वर) of the Nagendragachchha (नागेन्द्रगच्छ).

Overall Purpose: This volume is the first part of a larger work, the "Chandraprabh Charitram," which chronicles the life and teachings of the eighth Tirthankara, Shri Chandraprabhu. The current publication is a re-edition, re-edited by Muni Hitvardhanvijayji Maharaj.

Key Information from the Provided Pages:

• Pages 1-5: These pages generally introduce the work, express reverence, and provide a glimpse into the philosophical underpinnings of Jainism, particularly concerning the transmigration of souls and the consequences of karma. They also contain lists of related literary works and the lineage of gurus.

• Page 6 & 8 (Catalog Information):

  • Title: Chandraprabh Charitram
  • Language: Sanskrit and Prakrit (Champu Kavyam - a blend of prose and poetry).
  • Original Author: Devendrasurishwara of the Nagendragachchha.
  • Original Composition Time: Vikram Samvat 1264 (12th Century CE).
  • Original Composition Location: Prabhaspattanam (प्रभासपत्तनम्) in Gurjaradesha (Gujarat), specifically near Somnath.
  • Original Composition Duration: Remarkable speed of completion in just two months for a work of over 5325 verses.
  • Total Verses: 5325 (पाँच हजार तीनसौ ने पच्चीश).
  • Re-editor: Pujya Ganivarya Shri Hitvardhanvijay (पूज्यगणिवर्यः श्री हितवर्धन विजयः).
  • Re-publisher: Kusum Amrut Trust, Vapi.
  • Re-publication Date/Location: Ashadh Shukla Ekadashi, Vikram Samvat 2069 (2013 CE), Siddhakshetra Paliptana Puri (सिद्धक्षेत्रम्, पालीताणापुरी).
  • Previous Editor: Pu. Muniraj Shri Charanvijay Maharaj (पू. मुनिराज श्री चरणविजयमहाराज).
  • Previous Publisher: Shri Atmanand Jain Sabha, Ambala-Punjab.
  • Previous Publication: Vikram Samvat 1986 (1930 CE).

• Page 7 & 9 (Acknowledgements): Page 9 details financial support for the publication from the Shri Salvi's Adishwar Bhagwan Jain Derasar Trust, Mahidharpura, Surat. This highlights community involvement in promoting Jain literature.

• Page 10 (Publication Details): Provides contact information for Kusum Amrut Trust, Vapi, details the edition (first), print run (500 copies), publication date (July 19, 2013), and the event for which it was published (entry ceremony for Chaturmas at Siddhachal Giri, Paliptana). It also notes that this book is largely funded by "Gyan Dravya" (knowledge-related funds) and suggests contributions for reading or ownership.

• Page 13 (Publisher's Note): This section explains the history of the re-publication. The original composition was around 800+ years ago, re-edited about 90 years ago, and first printed 83 years prior to this re-edition. It mentions the critical state of the old printing, necessitating the new edition. The re-editor, Shri Hitvardhanvijayji Maharaj, undertook the task of purification, re-structuring chapters, and updating the font for clarity.

• Pages 14-36 (Introduction to the Author and Lineage): A significant portion of the provided text delves into the author of the original work, Shri Devendrasurishwar, tracing his guru lineage within the Nagendragachchha.

  • The lineage starts with Shri Vardhaman, followed by Ramasuri, Chandrasuri, Devsurri, Abhayasuri, Dhaneshwar (also known as Dhanesuri), Vijaysinhsurri, and finally Devendra (Devenra)surri.
  • The text mentions the historical context, including the disciples and their works, such as the Vasupujya Charitra by Vardhaman Suri.
  • It extensively discusses the Nagendragachchha, its origins, prominent acharyas (like Shri Shiligun Suri and Devachandra Suri, contemporaries of Vanraj and Hemchandracharya respectively), and their significant contributions and the establishment of various sacred sites (like Serisa Tirth).
  • It highlights the significant achievements of Devendrasurishwar, including the fast composition of Chandraprabha Charitra and his role in bringing Tirthankara images from Sammet Shikhar and Kantipuri.
  • It also acknowledges the complexity of identifying whether various Devendra Suris mentioned in different historical records are the same person, noting the possibility of multiple individuals with the same name or lineage.

• Pages 45-95 (Start of the Text - First Chapter - "Sattve Ajaputra Katha"): This is the beginning of the actual "Chandraprabh Charitram."

  • It starts with auspicious invocations and salutations to Tirthankaras and Ganadharas.
  • The narrative immediately delves into a philosophical discourse on the nature of the soul, karma, and the cycle of birth and death. It describes the journey of souls through various states of existence (hellish realms, animal realms, human realms) based on their karmic actions.
  • The first substantial narrative episode presented is the story of Ajaputra (अजापुत्रकथा). This story illustrates the concept of "Sattva" (सत्त्व), which refers to inherent nature, virtue, strength, or essence, particularly in the context of good deeds and righteous conduct.
    • Ajaputra's Story: This detailed narrative recounts the abandonment of a child (Ajaputra) by his biological parents due to fear of his destined negative influence on their lineage. The child is found and raised by a shepherd. The story unfolds with Ajaputra demonstrating exceptional virtue and intelligence, overcoming various challenges:
      • Encounter with Brothers of the Poisoned Child: Ajaputra shows great courage and compassion by helping four brothers retrieve medicinal fruits from a burning pit to save their poisoned younger sibling, even at great personal risk.
      • The King's Promise and the Monkey: The king, impressed by Ajaputra's virtue, promises to fulfill his desires. Ajaputra encounters a transformation of a monkey into a human through divine medicine.
      • Encounter with the Tiger-King and its Mother: Ajaputra faces the king who had transformed into a tiger due to a curse, and then confronts the king's mother, ultimately leading to the resolution of the curse and the king's liberation.
      • The King's Dilemma and Ajaputra's Wisdom: Ajaputra's wisdom is tested when the king faces a dilemma involving divine decrees, and Ajaputra's presence and actions help resolve the situation.
      • The King's Curse and Ajaputra's Virtuous Actions: Ajaputra's birth and upbringing are intertwined with various divine interventions and tests of his virtue, demonstrating the power of good karma and inherent virtue.
      • The King's Predicament and Ajaputra's Solution: The story highlights Ajaputra's role in resolving the king's predicaments, including his transformation into a tiger and later a Makara (crocodile), and how Ajaputra's wisdom and divine aid bring about their salvation.
      • The King's Gratitude and Ajaputra's Renunciation: The king, profoundly grateful for Ajaputra's help, offers him rewards and recognition. However, Ajaputra, embodying true virtue, seeks to further understand the path to liberation.
  • The narrative style often includes allegorical elements and a focus on the consequences of karma and the importance of righteous living.

• Pages 95-146 (Aramananandan Katha): This section introduces another narrative, the story of Aramananandan (आरामनन्दनकथा).

  • This story highlights themes of destiny, the importance of righteous conduct, and the consequences of actions, even in seemingly ordinary lives.
  • Aramananandan's Story: It details the birth of Aramananandan to a childless merchant's wife, achieved through a special medicinal herb. However, due to the herb's nature, the child is born as a monkey. This leads to tragedy for the mother, but the monkey-child is eventually raised with great care.
  • The story follows Aramananandan's life, his intelligence, his encounter with the jewel-filled ship and its mysterious disappearance, and his subsequent efforts to understand the secrets of wealth and destiny.
  • It also includes stories like Harishen-Shrishen Katha, Satyaharishchandra Katha, and Dushyant-Shakuntala Katha, which are likely presented as examples of virtues and moral lessons relevant to the overarching themes of the Charitra. These stories, though not fully detailed in the provided summary, are crucial for illustrating the philosophical and ethical teachings.
  • The "Satyaharishchandra Katha" segment, in particular, shows the king's immense virtue and truthfulness, even when faced with immense hardship and the loss of his family and kingdom, illustrating the Jain ideal of unwavering adherence to truth.
  • The "Dushyanta-Shakuntala Katha" likely serves to demonstrate the complexities of karma, forgiveness, and the eventual reunion of souls destined to be together.

Philosophical and Ethical Themes:

• Karma and Rebirth: The text deeply emphasizes the Jain principles of karma, emphasizing that every action has a consequence, shaping one's destiny across multiple lifetimes. The detailed descriptions of souls in different realms (hellish, animal, human, divine) illustrate this.
• Sattva (Virtue/Essence): The story of Ajaputra specifically aims to showcase "Sattva" – the inherent goodness, strength, and virtuous nature that can overcome adversity and negative karma.
• Righteous Conduct (Dharma): The stories serve as parables illustrating the importance of adherence to Jain principles like non-violence (Ahimsa), truthfulness (Satya), non-stealing (Asteya), celibacy (Brahmacharya), and non-possession (Aparigraha).
• The Nature of Desire and Attachment: The struggles of the characters, particularly Aramananandan and the various kings, highlight how attachments to worldly possessions, emotions, and even familial bonds can lead to suffering and hinder spiritual progress.
• The Power of Penance and Austerity (Tapa): The stories implicitly or explicitly demonstrate that sincere penance and self-discipline are potent tools for purifying the soul and overcoming karmic obstacles.
• The Role of Divine and Supernatural Beings: The presence of deities, Yakshas, Vidyadharas, and curses adds a mystical dimension, illustrating how these forces can influence human destiny and provide opportunities for testing or redemption.

Literary Style: The text is written in a blend of Sanskrit and Prakrit, in the Champu Kavyam style, characterized by its rich narrative, poetic descriptions, and philosophical depth. The inclusion of various stories serves to elaborate on the core teachings and make them relatable.

Significance of the Re-edition: The re-edition by Hitvardhanvijayji Maharaj makes this ancient and profound text accessible to a modern audience with improved readability, critical scholarship, and updated presentation. It ensures the preservation and dissemination of this important Jain scripture.