Ek Jainetar Santkrut Jambu Charitra

Here is a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Ek Jainetar Santkrut Jambu Charitra" by Bhanvarlal Nahta:

This introductory section by Bhanvarlal Nahta discusses the historical context of inter-religious relations in India and the tendency towards sectarianism, where instead of appreciating good aspects of other religions, fault-finding and propagation of negative aspects became common. He notes that despite Jainism's long history and influential figures like Tirthankaras and Acharyas, its principles and even its important doctrines were often misrepresented or omitted in Puranic texts.

The author highlights the emergence of various devotional and ascetic movements in medieval India, such as those led by saints like Kabir. While acknowledging their positive contributions to spirituality and social reform, Nahta points out that even these saints couldn't entirely rise above sectarian viewpoints, and their expressions regarding Jainism often carried critical or dismissive undertones, as seen in works by saints like Rajjab.

Nahta then focuses on Rajasthan, where devotional sects like Niranjani, Dadupanthi, and Ramsnehi have had a significant influence in the last three to four centuries, coinciding with the presence and influence of Jainism in the region. He notes that despite connections and interactions between Jains and saints from these sects, the expected mutual goodwill was often lacking due to prevailing sectarian attitudes.

The text then introduces the famous Jain story of Jambuswami, the last Kevali (omniscient being) in this era. This particular narrative has attracted the attention of non-Jain saints. The author explains that the Dadu-panthi saint "Tursi" versified the story of Jambuswami in Hindi under the title "Jambuser Prasang" to propagate the glory of "Sheel" (virtue/chastity). Nahta mentions that he has come across several handwritten manuscripts of this work and is publishing an edited version based on three of them.

The Core Narrative of Jambuswami as presented in the "Jambuser Prasang":

The text provides a summary of Jambuswami's life and then delves into the "Jambuser Prasang."

• Jambuswami's Background: Jambuswami was a disciple of Sudharma Swami, the fifth Ganadhara of Bhagwan Mahavir. He was born into a wealthy merchant family and had eight daughters of other rich merchants already betrothed to him. Despite his family's attempts to engage him in worldly affairs through marriage, Jambuswami's renunciation was firm. He agreed to the marriages but informed the fathers of the brides beforehand about his intention to renounce. On the wedding night, he enlightened all eight wives, making them his spiritual collaborators. He also influenced the notorious bandit Prabhav, who, along with 500 thieves, had come to steal the wealth from his wedding. Jambuswami, along with his parents, wives, in-laws, and Prabhav and his followers, took initiation from Sudharma Swami. Prabhav later became his chief disciple.

• Jambuswami's Spiritual Journey: Jambuswami remained in the state of a "Chhadmastha" (one with subtle delusions) for twenty years, after which he attained Kevala Gnana (omniscience). He lived as a Kevali for forty-four years. He attained liberation at the age of eighty, sixty-four years after Bhagwan Mahavir's Nirvana. He is known as the last Kevali because no one else attained liberation from this continent in the fifth era. Nahta emphasizes Jambuswami's significant role in the compilation of current Jain Agamas.

• The "Jambuser Prasang" by Tursi: The author clarifies that Tursi's "Jambuser Prasang" focuses on Jambuswami's firm adherence to Sheel (virtue/chastity) after his marriage. It does not mention his initiation from Sudharma Swami or the broader Jain religious context. The narrative begins with his conversations with his wives after the wedding and the arrival of the thief. The main emphasis is on enlightening everyone and Jambuswami's steadfastness in his vows of chastity.

• Key Themes and Episodes in "Jambuser Prasang":

  • The Glory of Sheel: The poem opens by extolling the supreme importance of chastity, stating that even Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh serve it.
  • Jambuser's Vow: The text highlights Jambuswami's resolve not to engage in marital relations, even after marriage.
  • The "Eighteen Relationships" (अठारह नाता): A significant portion of the "Jambuser Prasang" is dedicated to explaining the concept of "Eighteen Relationships," which appears to be a complex familial and relational dilemma. This section details the story of Sultan and Kumer, born to a courtesan. Due to unlucky stars, they were abandoned and later adopted by different people, leading to their eventual marriage, only to discover they were siblings. This realization of incestuous union causes them great distress and leads to renunciation. This elaborate explanation of complex relationships is noted by Nahta to be found earliest in "Vasudev Hindi."
  • Enlightenment of Wives and Prabhav: The "Jambuser Prasang" includes Jambuswami's teachings to his wives and the impact of his virtuous conduct on the thief Prabhav. The poem illustrates the transience of worldly pleasures and the importance of spiritual pursuit.

In essence, Bhanvarlal Nahta's introduction sets the stage by discussing the challenges of inter-religious understanding in India and introduces Tursi's "Jambuser Prasang" as a non-Jain saint's rendition of the Jambuswami story, primarily emphasizing the virtue of chastity and a complex narrative of familial relationships.