Jain Adarsh Prasango Part 09

Here is a comprehensive summary of "Jain Adarsh Prasango Part 09" by Bhadreshwarvijay, based on the provided Gujarati text:

Overview:

"Jain Adarsh Prasango Part 09" is the ninth volume in a series of Jain exemplary stories and anecdotes, compiled to inspire and guide readers in their spiritual journey. This book focuses on showcasing ideal conduct, religious examples, and current religious practices that exemplify the principles of Jainism. Authored and published by Bhadreshwarvijay, it aims to promote faith and devotion through relatable narratives.

Key Themes and Stories:

The book is structured into various sections, each presenting a distinct exemplary story. The overarching themes revolve around devotion, sacrifice, adherence to principles (like chovihar - abstaining from food and drink after sunset), the importance of ahimsa (non-violence), jivdaya (compassion for living beings), and the power of faith and prayer.

Here's a breakdown of some prominent themes and stories:

• Grand Religious Expeditions (Sangs):

  • Story 1: Shasanprabhavak Tirth Yatra Sangh: This section details an epic 18-day pilgrimage from Malgaon (Rajasthan) to Shri Ranakpurji Tirth. It highlights the immense scale, with 450 monks and nuns and over 6100 lay followers. The organizer, K.P. Sanghvi, exemplified generosity by providing pilgrims with essential kits worth Rs. 4,000 each, including a silver tooth-stick. The pilgrimage involved feeding 10-15 thousand people daily with great care for minimizing harm to living beings in the kitchen (offering rewards for finding insects). The event included carrying nine Jinalayas in silver chariots, constructing artistic silver torans in villages, donating significant sums to Jain communities, and distributing laddu (sweets) in steel containers. A remarkable aspect was the provision of Rs. 15 crore for the welfare of animals and the dedication of the Sanghvi family members to service. The scale and spirit of this sangh were compared to the legendary Vastu-pal Tejpal.

• Devotion to Shatrunjay Giriraj (Siddhachal):

  • Story 2: Siddhachal Shikharre Deevo: This chapter is dedicated to the intense devotion and numerous pilgrimages undertaken by individuals to the sacred Shatrunjay hill. It mentions devotees like Tokershibhai and Bachuben, who performed multiple rounds of 99 yātrās (pilgrimages) within short periods, even combining them with fasts like chath (fasting for two days) and attam (fasting for three days). The story also highlights Raju bhai, Ramesh bhai, Arvind bhai from America, and Bhachibha, an 85-year-old woman who completed 99 yātrās and several month-long fasts. The dedication of individuals performing chovihar and chath yātrās is praised, along with the inspiring efforts of those who assist pilgrims.

• Steadfastness in Dharma (Religious Principles):

  • Story 3: Engineer's Religious Steadfastness: This narrative features Nirav, a young engineering student who, after observing the principle of ratri bhojan tyag (abstaining from night meals), maintained it even when invited to a birthday party. Despite peer pressure and potential mockery, he upheld his chovihar vow, demonstrating strong willpower and faith. His commitment eventually led him to take diksha (renunciation).
  • Story 15: Jinagya Palan Hi Sukhdayak: Sweety ben, a devout follower of chovihar from childhood, continued the practice even during pregnancy, adhering to medical advice for nutrition while strictly abstaining from forbidden foods. She maintained her chovihar even on the day of delivery, showcasing unwavering devotion to Jain principles.
  • Story 34: Pratikraman no Prabhav: Kailash ben, battling cancer, found strength in performing pratikramana (a ritual of repentance and introspection) despite physical pain. A miraculous incident involving hot lentils splashing into her eyes without causing harm further solidified her faith.

• The Power of Chovihar and Other Vows:

  • Story 4: Couples' Lifelong Celibacy Vow: The installation of golden kalashas (pots) on the summits of 14 temples on Shatrunjay was decided to be performed by young couples who would take lifelong vows of celibacy. This resulted in 22 couples undertaking this extreme commitment, including a recently married couple who chose to live as brother and sister.
  • Story 16: Navkar Japne Se: Pravin bhai Master's experiences with the power of chanting the Navkar Mantra are detailed. He recovered from a severe leg injury and an eye problem through sustained chanting, highlighting the transformative power of devotion.
  • Story 33: Navkar Japne Se: An anecdote about an non-Jain friend who, after reading the book, developed immense faith in the Navkar Mantra and experienced miraculous healing by chanting it.

• Compassion and Ahimsa:

  • Story 8: Victory to Ahimsa Dharma!: Prabhavati ben, aged 88, recovered from a life-threatening illness by practicing jivdaya (compassion for living beings) daily alongside her treatment. She made a vow to save one life each day for 40 days, demonstrating the healing power of compassion.
  • Story 9: Cow Became a Goddess: Draupadi ben's compassionate act of reciting the Navkar Mantra to a dying cow resulted in the cow being reborn as a divine being who later helped her family. This story emphasizes the profound spiritual benefits of kindness towards animals.
  • Story 13: Ajab Gajab ni Daya: Bhagat, a humble villager, dedicated his life to feeding the hungry and animals, even going into debt to procure fodder during a drought. His selfless service attracted divine intervention, and he runs a permanent food distribution center, the "Ram Roti Annakshetra."
  • Story 21: Jivdaya at Reception: A host in Jamnagar encouraged guests to donate to a Jivdaya (compassion for living beings) fund instead of accepting gifts at their wedding, promoting a noble tradition.

• The Importance of Righteous Conduct and Values:

  • Story 5: Bhavane Bhavana Bhaviye: This section describes a youth's commitment to various vows and practices, including fasting and reciting prayers, during a spiritual camp. His dedication is highlighted by his taking on challenging vows like 12 years of chovihar and his mother's support. The narrative also mentions apparent miracles occurring after a religious ceremony.
  • Story 6: Dharmika nu Vasiyatnamu: A religious soul made a will dictating that the interest earned from his capital be used for religious observances by his heirs, specifying various acts of devotion to be performed.
  • Story 10: Prachand Sattva: Amit, a devoted student, took a significant vow of lifelong trivihar (abstaining from food and drink after sunset) to honor his father's efforts and set a powerful example.
  • Story 20: Itani Shakti Hame Dena: Shashi Kant bhai Shah, despite his humble financial situation and a paternal debt, prioritized repaying it, demonstrating extreme honesty and integrity even when faced with lucrative but unethical offers.
  • Story 37: Na Rahe Ghara ma: Chinubhai Nagardas Shah, a man of high moral principles, refused a substantial bribe despite facing financial hardship and the responsibility of supporting his family, emphasizing the value of righteousness over material gain.
  • Story 25: Sanskar ni Mudi: A story about an honest accountant who returned an excess sum of money received by mistake, highlighting the impact of good upbringing and unwavering honesty.

• Parental Guidance and Upbringing:

  • The book includes several short aphorisms and advice to parents on raising children with good character and faith, such as "Don't make your son a Lord, make him a ruler of his own senses," and "Be a mentor to your child, not just a lawyer."

Overall Message:

"Jain Adarsh Prasango Part 09" serves as a rich repository of inspiring Jain stories that emphasize living a life guided by faith, compassion, truthfulness, and adherence to religious principles. It demonstrates that even in challenging times, unwavering devotion and ethical conduct can lead to spiritual fulfillment and positive outcomes, both in this life and in future endeavors. The book encourages readers to reflect on their own lives and strive to emulate the virtues of the exemplary individuals presented within its pages.