Dasharnabhadra Charitram

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Dasharnabhadra Charitram," based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Dasharnabhadra Charitram (The Life of Dasharnabhadra) Author: Shravak Hiralal Hansraj (Publisher and Publisher) Compiler/Original Author: Shri Shubhshilgni Publication Details: Third Edition, Vikram Samvat 1994 (1938 CE), Printed at Shri Jain Bhaskardaya Printing Press, Jamnagar.

Overall Narrative:

The "Dasharnabhadra Charitram" narrates the story of King Dasharnabhadra of Dasharnapura, a virtuous and righteous ruler who deeply adhered to Jain principles. The central theme revolves around his encounter with Lord Mahavir's sermon, his subsequent pride due to his immense wealth and power, and how he was ultimately humbled by witnessing the divine grandeur of Indrajit, leading him to renounce worldly possessions and embrace asceticism, ultimately achieving liberation (moksha).

Key Events and Themes:

1. King Dasharnabhadra's Virtuous Reign:

   • Dasharnabhadra ruled his kingdom of Dasharnapura with justice and compassion, considering his subjects as his own children.
   • He was a devout follower of Jainism, dedicated to performing religious duties like worshipping the Jin (Tirthankara).
   • The text emphasizes the benefits of worshipping the Jin, stating it removes sins, brings prosperity, and prevents misfortunes like poverty, servitude, and physical or sensory impairments.

2. The Arrival of Lord Mahavir:

   • Lord Mahavir descended to Dasharnagiri, a mountain near Dasharnapura, for a divine sermon (samavasarana).
   • The samavasarana was described as a magnificent structure made of gold, jewels, and silver, adorned with auspicious symbols and occupied by Lord Mahavir on a throne, surrounded by gods and celestial beings.
   • Lord Mahavir delivered a sermon on the importance of human birth, righteous conduct, adherence to guru's teachings, and the perils of attachment and delusion. He stressed the transient nature of life and the need for good deeds.

3. The King's Initial Reaction and Pride:

   • Upon hearing about Lord Mahavir's arrival from a gardener, King Dasharnabhadra was overjoyed.
   • He reflected on his good fortune and attributed his presence in the world to his past good deeds.
   • He paid homage to Lord Mahavir, acknowledging that even those who worship Him casually attain great merits.
   • However, a sense of pride began to develop in the King's heart. He decided to go to the samavasarana the next day with all his wealth and glory, intending to worship the Lord in a grander manner than anyone before.

4. The Grand Procession and the King's Conceit:

   • The King ordered a public announcement for the entire city to prepare for the worship of Lord Mahavir.
   • The city was decorated elaborately with colorful banners, garlands, and incense.
   • The King embarked on a lavish procession with his vast entourage, including eighteen thousand sons, eighty-four lakh horsemen, twenty-one thousand chariots, ninety-one crore foot soldiers, and numerous attendants, musicians, and dancers.
   • The King, seated on a golden throne atop his royal elephant and adorned with various jewels, felt immense pride in his wealth and power, believing no one else could match his splendor in worshipping the Lord. He considered his worldly possessions to be supreme.

5. The Intervention of Indrajit and the Humbling Experience:

   • Sou Dharmendra (Indrajit), the king of gods, witnessed the King's pride through his clairvoyant knowledge.
   • Recognizing that this pride would lead to negative karma, Indrajit decided to humble the King.
   • Using his divine powers, Indrajit created sixty-four thousand divine elephants in the sky.
   • Each elephant was described with immense, almost incomprehensible, detail: having hundreds of faces, countless teeth, numerous lakes, lotus flowers, and on each lotus, a throne for Indra, accompanied by his queen. Each lotus also bore countless divine dancers performing various plays. The sheer scale and opulence of these divine elephants and their adornments were beyond human comprehension.
   • Indrajit, seated on these divine elephants, circumambulated and worshipped Lord Mahavir, accompanied by his divine retinue and celestial music.

6. The King's Realization and Renunciation:

   • Witnessing Indrajit's unimaginable wealth and devotion, King Dasharnabhadra was stunned into silence.
   • He realized the insignificance of his own earthly riches in comparison to the divine grandeur and pure devotion displayed by Indrajit.
   • He understood that his pride was misplaced and futile, as no one can truly encompass the infinite glory of a Tirthankara. He acknowledged that Indrajit's devotion was far superior to his own material display.
   • The King realized that attachment to worldly possessions (lakshmi, etc.) leads to suffering and the lower realms. He recollected the teachings about the detrimental nature of possessions.
   • Overwhelmed by a sense of renunciation (vairagya), the King decided to embrace asceticism.

7. Embracing Asceticism and Achieving Liberation:

   • King Dasharnabhadra performed a ritualistic tonsure of his hair with five handfuls and renounced all his wealth and worldly possessions.
   • He accepted vows of asceticism (sanyam) in the presence of Lord Mahavir.
   • Sou Dharmendra praised Dasharnabhadra, acknowledging that the King had conquered him by fulfilling his vow of renunciation, implying that the King's spiritual wealth surpassed Indrajit's material splendor.
   • Dasharnabhadra, now a muni (ascetic), practiced severe austerities, shed all his karmic bonds, attained omniscience (kevalgyan), and ultimately achieved liberation (moksha).

Moral and Spiritual Message:

The "Dasharnabhadra Charitram" strongly emphasizes the Jain principles of:

• Detachment from Material Possessions: True happiness and liberation come not from worldly wealth but from spiritual practice and renunciation.
• Humility: Pride and ego are significant obstacles to spiritual progress and can lead to negative karmic consequences.
• Devotion to the Tirthankaras: Sincere devotion and adherence to the teachings of the Jinas are paramount for spiritual advancement.
• The Transient Nature of Life: Youth, wealth, and life itself are impermanent, and one should focus on righteous deeds (dharma).
• The Power of Asceticism: Renunciation and strict adherence to vows can lead to the eradication of karma and the attainment of liberation.

The story serves as an edifying tale, illustrating the path to spiritual enlightenment by overcoming pride and embracing a life of detachment and devotion.