Ilachi Kumara

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Ilachi Kumara" in English:

The story of Ilachi Kumara begins in the city of Ilavardhana, where a wealthy merchant named Dhanadatta lived with his wife, Ilachi. Their only son, Ilachi Kumara, was born to them and was incredibly pampered and lacked nothing. As he grew into a handsome young man, he was known affectionately as Ilachi Kumara. His parents decided it was time for him to marry and presented him with a list of eligible, well-bred girls, but Ilachi Kumara found the choice difficult.

One day, a troupe of acrobats arrived in Ilavardhana. They performed daring feats on ropes strung between poles in an open space, attracting the entire town. Ilachi Kumara was also captivated by their performances, especially by the acrobat troupe leader's daughter, a beautiful and graceful dancer. He was smitten, and her image remained with him even after the show ended and he returned home. During dinner, he was unusually quiet, and when his mother gently inquired, he confessed his desire to marry the acrobat's daughter.

His mother was shocked, urging him to forget the girl from a "lowly" caste and reminding him of their own esteemed family, where he was destined to marry a girl from a high-status, cultured family. Ilachi Kumara, however, was resolute. His father, Dhanadatta, was also dismayed but, being understanding, tried to persuade him. When his son remained firm, Dhanadatta, unwilling to lose his son over pride, decided to approach the acrobat leader and ask for his daughter's hand in marriage.

The acrobat leader refused, citing his caste's rule against inter-caste marriages. Dhanadatta, assuming it was a matter of money, offered any sum, but the acrobat remained unyielding. He explained their tradition: a suitor must impress the king with his acrobatic skills, earning a reward, which would then be used to feed their community. Dhanadatta was disheartened, knowing his son possessed no such talent. He conveyed this to Ilachi Kumara, urging him to forget the girl.

Though outwardly calm, Ilachi Kumara was deeply troubled. He felt he could not be happy without her and was willing to make any sacrifice. His parents misinterpreted his silence as resignation and tried to distract him, but his resolve was firm. When the acrobat troupe decided to leave Ilavardhana, Ilachi Kumara secretly left home and joined them.

He adopted the acrobats' attire and began learning their craft. The acrobat's daughter, who had also fallen in love with Ilachi Kumara, helped him. He eventually became a skilled acrobat. When they reached the city of Benatat, Ilachi Kumara asked the troupe leader to present him to the king, promising to impress him with his art. The leader relayed this to the king, who agreed to witness the performance.

Ilachi Kumara performed with exceptional skill and daring, captivating the audience. He felt he had showcased his art well and requested the king's reward. However, during this time, the king was more focused on the beautiful acrobat's daughter, often encouraging Ilachi Kumara with affection. When the troupe leader asked if the king enjoyed the performance, the king feigned that his mind was preoccupied with state matters and he hadn't truly watched. He asked Ilachi Kumara to perform again. Ilachi Kumara, though confused, performed with renewed vigor. The king again made an excuse and asked him to perform a third time.

Ilachi Kumara became suspicious but, driven by his love for the girl, agreed. As he ascended the rope for the third performance, he noticed a beautiful woman offering sweets to a young monk in a nearby building. He observed that the monk kept his gaze down, unaffected by the woman's beauty. This stark contrast struck Ilachi Kumara. He had changed his entire life for a beautiful woman, while this monk remained undisturbed in her presence. He was deeply moved by the monk's self-control and detachment.

He pondered why he couldn't detach himself from the girl. He also questioned the king's repeated requests for him to perform, realizing the king was attracted to the girl and likely waiting for him to fall. If he fell, he would be injured, unable to perform, and thus unable to marry the girl for whom he had abandoned his parents and societal norms. He understood that what he perceived as happiness was an illusion.

He recalled the principles of his dharma and the infinite power of the soul. He realized his acrobatic skill was a result of his inner strength. The monk's detachment was due to his heightened awareness. He understood that just as he needed to be cautious to avoid falling from the rope, he should apply that same vigilance to spiritual development. He remembered his past lives where he had achieved spiritual growth, and these ingrained impressions resurfaced. The monk acted as a catalyst, and observing his equanimity, Ilachi Kumara grasped the illusory nature of worldly attachments.

He became fully aware and understood that true liberation was in saving the soul, and everything else was deceptive. While walking on the rope, he delved deep into his soul and attained Kevala Jnana (omniscience). He descended, bid farewell to everyone, and left the place. The story highlights the principle of renunciation, emphasizing that attachments to material things, people, or desires cause suffering. It advises reducing attraction to the external world and focusing attention on the soul. Moha-maya (attachment and illusion) hinders the path to self-realization. The monk's unwavering gaze, even in the presence of beauty, guided Ilachi Kumara to the true path.