Fruits Of Auspicious Acts

This document, titled "Punya Ka Phal" (Fruits of Auspicious Acts) and authored by Dharmchand Shastri, is a Jain publication from Acharya Dharmshrut Granthmala. The editorial highlights that human life is like a river, with its ups and downs, joys and sorrows. It emphasizes that a life lived with a healthy mind and spirit is a successful one. The editorial also notes the modern human tendency to seek immediate gratification, contrasting it with the need to perform good deeds that bring happiness to oneself and others, thereby accruing merit (punya).

The book appears to be presented in a comic or illustrated format, likely for educational purposes, with the title "JAIN CHITRAKATHA" (Jain Illustrated Story) appearing frequently.

The core of the provided text is a narrative illustrating the concept of "Punya Ka Phal" through stories. The first story focuses on Viravati:

• Introduction: It introduces a wealthy man named Dhanmitra, his wife Dharini, their son Dutta, and their beautiful daughter Viravati, residing in the city of Bhumigraha. It also mentions a householder named Anand and his wife Mitravati.
• Marriage and Separation: Dutta marries Viravati. Later, Dutta goes to Ratnadwop for trading, leaving Viravati with her parents.
• Viravati's Affair: A thief named Garaka, described as very beautiful, sees Viravati and becomes infatuated. Viravati also develops feelings for Garaka, and they begin to meet frequently. When Dutta returns with wealth, Viravati pretends to be happy, but her mind is troubled by her affair with Garaka.
• Garaka's Capture: Garaka is caught stealing one night and is brought before the royal court. He is described as a dangerous and clever thief who has committed many crimes. The king orders him to be executed by hanging.
• Viravati's Despair and Plan: Viravati is deeply unhappy about Garaka's impending execution. She devises a plan to see him, even considering posing as his wife to meet him.
• Dutta's Suspicion and Viravati's Deception: Viravati's unusual behavior worries Dutta, but she conceals her true distress, feigning sadness due to his long absence. She expresses a desire to meet her lover, which Dutta overhears.
• Viravati's Secret Meeting: In the dead of night, Viravati secretly leaves her home with a sword. She suspects she is being followed. As she moves towards the cremation ground where Garaka was hanged, she strikes back at someone following her, cutting off the fingers of a thief named Sahasrabhatta.
• Viravati's Attempt to Save Garaka: Viravati reaches Garaka, who is still alive and on the gallows. She uses dead bodies to climb and kiss him.
• The Fall and Injury: A corpse shifts, causing Viravati to fall, and her lips are cut. She flees, covering her face. Sahasrabhatta, whose fingers were cut, pursues her.
• False Accusation: Viravati returns home and cries, falsely accusing Dutta of cutting her lips. The commotion attracts neighbors, who then bind Dutta.
• Dutta's Trial and Condemnation: The next morning, Dutta is brought before the king. Accused of cutting his wife's lips and spoiling her beauty, he is deemed a criminal and ordered to be hanged.
• Sahasrabhatta's Intervention: Sahasrabhatta, present in the court, intervenes and reveals the truth, narrating the entire story.
• Justice Served: The king orders Dutta's release and the arrest of Viravati, deeming her a debauch. Viravati is to be dragged through the city with her hair cut and then hanged. Sahasrabhatta expresses gratitude, feeling his good deed has redeemed his sins, reinforcing the message that auspicious acts do not go in vain.

The second story is titled "Story of Abhayadan" (Story of Fearless Giving):

• Setting and Characters: The story is set in the prosperous city of Ghatgaoni in Malha. It introduces a barber named Dharmil and a potter named Devli.
• Joint Endeavor: Both Dharmil and Devli wish to invest their earnings in a good cause that benefits humanity. They decide to build a Dharamshala (a charitable rest house) where saints and ascetics can stay.
• Dharamshala Construction: A Dharamshala is built through their efforts. Muniraj (Jain monks) begin to stay and perform penance there.
• Dharmil's Jealousy and Mistreatment: Dharmil brings a Sadhu (ascetic) to the Dharamshala and is angered to find another Muniraj already present. He insists that only his guest should stay, demanding the other Muniraj leave. Devli, who brought the other Muniraj, tries to mediate, but Dharmil is adamant and forcefully asks the Muniraj to leave. The Muniraj, not wanting to cause further conflict, sits outside under a tree.
• Devli's Action: Devli, seeing the mistreatment of the Muniraj, becomes angry with Dharmil. They argue about who has the right to decide who stays in the Dharamshala. Their argument escalates into a physical fight, and both die in the process.
• Rebirth and Consequences: As a result of their angry actions, Dharmil is reborn as a lion, and Devli is reborn as a bear. They both live in the same forest.
• Encounter with Munis: Two Munirajas stay in a cave in the forest. The bear (Devli) remembers her past life and vows to serve the Munis.
• Conflict and Death: The lion (Dharmil) smells the presence of humans and, driven by its nature, attacks the Munis. The bear, wanting to protect the Munis, intervenes. A fierce fight ensues between the lion and the bear, during which both die again.
• Final Outcome: The Munis emerge, noting that the lion and bear have given up their lives in this birth as well. The bear, having vowed to protect the Munis, attains heaven due to this auspicious act. The lion, seeking to kill, obtains hell.

The latter pages (33-36) appear to be advertisements and publisher information, listing other books published by Acharya Dharmshrut Granthmala and providing contact details.

In essence, "Fruits Of Auspicious Acts" uses these stories to illustrate the Jain principle of karma, where actions (both good and bad) have direct consequences in this life and future rebirths. The first story highlights how truth and righteous intervention can rectify injustice, while the second story emphasizes that even noble intentions can be undermined by anger and possessiveness, leading to negative karmic outcomes.