Drushtant Kathao - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Drushtant Kathao" by Shrimad Rajchandra, as presented in the provided pages:

Book Title: Drushtant Kathao (Illustrative Stories) Author: Shrimad Rajchandra Translator/Compiler: Hansraj Jain Publisher: Shrimad Rajchandra Ashram

Overview and Purpose: This booklet presents a collection of illustrative stories derived from Shrimad Rajchandra's "Bhavanabodh" (Understanding of Contemplations) and "Mokshamala" (Garland of Liberation). The primary purpose of these stories is to foster detachment (Vairagya) and to reveal the true nature of worldly existence, the body, and sensory pleasures, making them highly beneficial for the soul's spiritual journey. The book emphasizes the importance of contemplating the "Twelve Bhavanas" (Twelve Contemplations) for spiritual progress, and uses colorful illustrations to make the concepts easier to grasp.

Key Themes and Contents:

The book is structured around two main sections:

I. Bhavana Bodh (Understanding of Contemplations): This section focuses on the twelve core Jain contemplations, each illustrated with a story and its moral. The twelve contemplations presented are:

Anityabhavana (Contemplation of Impermanence): Illustrated by the story of a Beggar's Lament. The beggar experiences a dream of immense royalty and wealth, only to wake up to his impoverished reality. The story highlights how all worldly possessions and pleasures are transient, like lightning or a dream, and clinging to them leads to sorrow.
Sharana Bhavana (Contemplation of Refuge): The true refuge is the Dharma taught by the omniscient Jinas. The story of Anathi Muni illustrates that true refuge is found within oneself through spiritual practice, as external support is ultimately unreliable. The king Shrenik, despite his worldly power, realizes his own helplessness in the face of illness, leading him to understand the muni's message of being truly "sanaath" (having a master) only through self-reliance and spiritual attainment.
Ekatva Bhavana (Contemplation of Oneness/Solitariness): This contemplation emphasizes that one experiences suffering and happiness alone. The dialogue between King Nami Rajrishi and Indra (in disguise) shows how worldly relationships and possessions do not alleviate one's suffering. Nami Rajrishi's detachment from his kingdom and family in the face of suffering, and his ultimate realization of his true self, exemplify this. The story of the single bangle also illustrates that multiplicity brings complications, while singularity brings peace.
Anyatva Bhavana (Contemplation of Otherness): This contemplation teaches that nothing in the world – not the body, not relationships, not possessions – truly belongs to us. The story of Emperor Bharat showcases this powerfully. His realization, triggered by a ring slipping off his finger, leads him to understand that all external adornments are temporary and that his true self is separate from his body, wealth, and kingdom. This realization leads him to renunciation and spiritual attainment.
Ashuchi Bhavana (Contemplation of Impurity): This highlights the impure and transient nature of the body. The story of Emperor Sanatkumara illustrates this. Initially proud of his divine beauty, he is shown by celestial beings that his body, like the chewed betel leaf, is inherently impure, leading him to renunciation. The story emphasizes that the human body, composed of bodily fluids, diseases, and aging, is fundamentally a vessel of impurity.
Nivritti Bodh (Understanding of Renunciation/Cessation): This contemplation focuses on the pain of worldly existence and the need for renunciation. The story of Prince Mrigaputra vividly describes the immense suffering experienced in the lower realms and contrasts it with the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures. His deep introspection and eventual renunciation after witnessing a monk demonstrate the profoundness of this contemplation.
Asrava Bhavana (Contemplation of Influx of Karmas): This describes the pathways through which karmas enter the soul. The story of Kundarika illustrates how indulgence in pleasures and attachment to worldly things leads to an influx of negative karmas. His downfall after embracing asceticism and then succumbing to regret and anger leads him to a terrible rebirth in hell.
Samvara Bhavana (Contemplation of Cessation of Karmas): This is the practice of stopping the influx of karmas. The story of Pundarika shows how adhering to the path of righteousness and maintaining equanimity even amidst hardship leads to a sublime rebirth as a celestial being. The story of Vajraswami further emphasizes this, as he remains steadfast in his vow of celibacy despite attempts by a devoted woman and her wealthy father, demonstrating immense self-control that leads to spiritual advancement.
Nirjara Bhavana (Contemplation of Shedding of Karmas): This involves purifying the soul by shedding accumulated karmas through austerities. The story of Dridhaprahari (literally "strong striker") is a powerful example. A robber and murderer, he experiences remorse after witnessing a calf's death and performs extreme penance by standing in contemplation at the city gates, enduring immense suffering and abuse from the public. This arduous penance leads to the shedding of his negative karmas and eventual liberation.
Lokaswarupa Bhavana (Contemplation of the Nature of the Universe): This involves understanding the structure and nature of the universe as described by the omniscient beings. The text briefly describes the universe as a three-tiered structure with hells below, the human realm in the middle, and heavens above, culminating in the Siddhashila.
Bodhi Durlabha Bhavana (Contemplation of the Rarity of Right Enlightenment): This reflects on the difficulty of attaining right knowledge and right conduct in this world.
Dharma Durlabha Bhavana (Contemplation of the Rarity of Dharma): This contemplates the rarity of finding true spiritual teachers and the opportunity to listen to their teachings.

II. Mokshamala Se (From the Garland of Liberation): This section provides additional illustrative stories and moral lessons:

Bahubala: The story of Bahubala, son of Lord Rishabhadeva, highlights the destructive nature of pride and anger. His conflict with his brother Bharat over the kingdom, and his eventual realization of pride after their battle and subsequent renunciation and penance, ultimately lead him to liberation.
Kamadeva Shravaka: This story emphasizes the unwavering devotion and steadfastness of Kamadeva Shravaka in his spiritual practices, particularly in meditation. He remains undisturbed despite various attempts by a celestial being to provoke him, showcasing the strength of inner resolve.
Satya (King Vasu): This emphasizes the paramount importance of truthfulness. King Vasu, forced to lie to protect his guru's wife, suffers a terrible downfall, illustrating the dire consequences of even a single untruth.
Parigraha ko Sankochana (Limiting Possessions): The story of Emperor Subhum demonstrates the perils of excessive attachment to possessions. His ambition to conquer even more realms leads to his downfall and rebirth in hell, underscoring the need for moderation and contentment.
Sarva Jiva ki Raksha - Bhag 1 & 2 (Protection of All Living Beings - Part 1 & 2): These sections underscore the Jain principle of ahimsa (non-violence). The first part stresses the inherent value of all life and the sin of harming even the smallest creature. The story of Abhayakumara highlights the intelligent use of wisdom to dissuave others from harming animals. By subtly exposing the hypocrisy of those who claimed meat was cheap, he made them realize the immense value they placed on their own lives, thus discouraging them from taking the lives of others.
Vinayase Tattva ki Siddhi Hai (Essence is Attained Through Humility): The story of King Shrenik and the Chandal illustrates the power of humility in acquiring knowledge. Even a king must humble himself to learn a spiritual secret from a lower caste individual, emphasizing that true knowledge transcends social status and requires genuine humility.
Sudarshan Seth: This story emphasizes the power of chastity and truth. Sudarshan Seth, falsely accused by a queen, remains steadfast in his virtue and truth. His unwavering integrity is miraculously revealed, leading to his vindication and the queen's downfall.
Anupam Kshama (Unparalleled Forgiveness): The story of Gajasukumara showcases extraordinary forgiveness. Despite immense suffering inflicted upon him by a vengeful Brahmin, Gajasukumara maintains equanimity and forgives his tormentor, leading to spiritual liberation.
Kapil Muni (Parts 1, 2, 3): This multi-part story illustrates the pitfalls of desire and the importance of controlling one's thoughts. Kapil, initially driven by greed and attachment, gets entangled in worldly affairs and desires, losing sight of his spiritual goal. His journey through attachment, desire, and eventual realization of the emptiness of worldly pursuits leads him to attain enlightenment.
Moksha Sukha (Bliss of Liberation): The story of Bhadrik Bhil uses a simple analogy to explain the ineffable nature of liberation. Having experienced royal comforts, the Bhil, upon returning to his humble dwelling, finds it incomparable to the bliss of liberation, which is beyond worldly description.

Educational Aspect: The booklet also includes thought-provoking questions at the end of each story to encourage deeper reflection and understanding of the moral lessons presented.

Overall Message: "Drushtant Kathao" serves as a guide for spiritual seekers, offering profound insights into the Jain philosophy through relatable narratives. It encourages detachment from worldly illusions, emphasizes the importance of ethical conduct, and ultimately points towards the path of liberation through self-realization and devotion to the principles of Jainism.