Jain Adarsh Prasango Part 11 - Book Summary

This document is the 11th part of the "Jain Adarsh Prasango" (Ideal Jain Incidents) series, compiled by Bhadreshwarvijay and edited by Muni Yogiratnavijayji. It aims to inspire readers with true, contemporary, and excellent religious examples. The book is published by Bhadreshwarvijay and the third edition, printed on October 15, 2016, had a print run of 3000 copies (with 19,000 copies of previous editions sold).

The introduction highlights the universal desire for happiness and explains that true and lasting happiness comes from achieving "Siddhigati," a state of infinite bliss and knowledge. It mentions that the Panch Sutra (Five Principles) offer three means to attain liberation quickly: taking refuge in the four holy beings (Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, Sadhu), confessing one's sins, and rejoicing in the good deeds of oneself and others. The book's stories are categorized to emphasize these principles.

The book then presents twenty-six inspirational anecdotes, each illustrating Jain principles and values through real-life examples. Here's a summary of the key stories and their themes:

Jain Child's Pride (Jain Balak ni Khumari): A young Jain boy stands up to a school principal's wife who disrespects Jainism. He bravely defends his religion, even facing potential expulsion, ultimately leading to the principal's wife realizing her mistake and apologizing. This story emphasizes the importance of defending one's faith and the power of conviction.
Remembering in Distress (Dukh ma Samro): A family on a trip to Palitana is caught in a riot and surrounded by an angry mob. Their recitation of the Navkar mantra and the timely intervention of an elder who provided a coded message helps them escape unharmed. This highlights the power of the Navkar mantra during times of crisis.
The Melody of Faith (Shraddha ni Sargam): A woman, facing difficulties during her twin pregnancy, dedicates herself to chanting the name of Shri Kalikund Parshvanath. She not only delivers healthy babies but also overcomes a critical postpartum bleeding situation through her unwavering faith. This emphasizes the miraculous power of devotion.
Desiring the Path of Renunciation (Sanyam Jivan no Lev Magdo): A mother, after losing one son to an accident, expresses more sorrow that she couldn't inspire her second son to become a monk than for the loss of her worldly support. This story showcases the profound value placed on spiritual renunciation over worldly possessions and relationships.
The Sangh is Everything (Sangh e j Sarvasva): A devoted follower prioritizes the establishment of a Jain Sangh (community organization) even after the sudden demise of his mother. He continues with the Sangh's founding ceremonies before informing relatives about his mother's passing, demonstrating extreme dedication to religious community work.
A Strange Tale (Ek Ajibo Dastaan): A poor Jain youth, motivated by his mother's advice and a Sadhvi's (female monk's) blessings, accepts three vows. Despite his poverty, he fulfills the vow of donating his first salary to a needy Jain family, which leads to immediate positive results and a prosperous future, highlighting the rewards of generosity.
The Patel's Transformation (Patel nu Parivartan): A 47-year-old woman, initially not Jain, becomes deeply inspired by a Jain discourse. She dedicates herself to learning Jain scriptures, practices, and rituals, eventually becoming a devout follower and leading a life of religious discipline. This shows the transformative power of Jain teachings.
Son Instead of Daughter (Putri ne Badle Putra Prapti): A couple, blessed with a daughter, ardently prays to Lord Aadi Shweta for a son. Through consistent religious practices like daily Pratikraman and chanting, they are blessed with a healthy son, reinforcing the belief in the power of prayer and devotion.
108 Continuous Fasting (Sallang Varshitap ma 108 Upvas): A woman, after facing financial hardship and the loss of her husband, embraces a life of rigorous religious austerity, including numerous continuous fasts, highlighting immense dedication to spiritual practices.
The Unique Aadi Shweta (Aadishwar Albelo Re): A young man, facing a kidnapping attempt, finds safety through his sincere prayers to Lord Aadi Shweta. The timely arrival of police foils the attackers, emphasizing the protective power of faith.
The Impact of Ayambil (Ayambil no Prabhav): A young man, despite a severe accident that injures his leg, refuses to break his fasts and adheres strictly to his religious vows. His unwavering faith and dedication lead to his recovery and continued spiritual practice, showcasing extraordinary commitment.
The Great Mantra in the World (Mahamantra chhe Moto Jag ma): During India's independence struggle, a religious woman and her family are threatened by rioters. Their chanting of the Navkar mantra attracts a powerful figure who protects them, illustrating the protective strength of this mantra.
Ninety-Nine Pilgrimages (Jatra Navanu Kariye): A woman suffering from blood pressure successfully completes 108 pilgrimages to Shatrunjay hill, ceasing her medication and experiencing improved health. This story celebrates the power of faith and pilgrimage.
Appreciation (Anumodana): This section briefly mentions individuals with extraordinary religious devotion, such as someone completing 50 years of Ayambil fasting, another spending four hours in daily Pratikraman, and a third performing 35 temple visits daily.
Journey to the Infinite (Anant ni Yatra e): After a pilgrimage to Shatrunjay, a family experiences a tragic accident, losing four members. Instead of traditional mourning rituals, they opt for a musical "Bhav Yatra" (devotional journey) to Shatrunjay, signifying a spiritual approach to loss.
The Husband (Patidev): A devout Jain woman, who endures physical and verbal abuse from her husband, maintains a cheerful demeanor and considers him "excellent." Her extraordinary patience and faith are revealed when she explains her unwavering commitment to her spiritual path and her husband's eventual support for her vow of lifelong celibacy. This highlights extreme forbearance and the impact of spiritual influence.
Devotion in Calamity (Aapatti ma Dharm Dadhta): A young Jain woman, caught in a severe flood, refuses to eat food containing garlic due to her religious principles, even when facing life-threatening conditions. Her unwavering adherence to Jain dietary laws leads to unexpected divine help in the form of pure Jain food, reinforcing the importance of steadfastness in faith.
Dialysis Cancelled (Dialysis Cancel): A woman with severe diabetes and failing kidneys, facing the prospect of dialysis, begins chanting the Loggassa Sutra. Miraculously, her condition improves, and dialysis is no longer needed, showcasing the healing power of prayer.
The Influence of Ashtam Fast (Attam no Prabhav): A man suffering from a debilitating illness, possibly kidney failure or cancer, is miraculously cured after his daughter performs an Ashtam fast and chants prayers. This story emphasizes the power of devotional practices for healing.
Equanimity in Suffering (Dukh ma Samta): A man loses a limb in a train accident but maintains equanimity and faith, reciting the Navkar mantra. He also shows concern for his daughter's well-being by instructing that his bloody clothes be removed before she arrives. This is presented as an example of enduring hardship with spiritual strength.
The Miracle of Listening to Jin Vani (Jinvani Shravan no Chamtar): An atheist young woman, initially resistant to religion, attends a Jain discourse out of necessity and is profoundly transformed. Her life changes from carefree enjoyment to a deep desire for spiritual renunciation, ultimately leading to her taking initiation (Diksha). This highlights the impactful nature of Jain teachings.
Jinalay Rickshaw Service (Jinalay Rickshaw Seva): A Jain community organizes a rickshaw service to help elderly and infirm members reach the temple, demonstrating community care and devotion.
I Don't Want to Eat Mangoes (Mare Carry Khau Nathi): A young man refuses to eat mangoes served with the peel, explaining that the peel generates countless organisms after contact with saliva, thus avoiding him from causing harm. This showcases a deep understanding and practice of Ahimsa (non-violence).
Appreciation (Anumodana): Briefly mentions a man who, after a heart attack, vows to perform extensive acts of devotion and is nearing completion.
The Essence of Jiwaya (Jivdaya Dharm Sar): A businessman goes to great lengths to save hundreds of fish from a demolished water tank, organizing their transfer to a canal. This highlights the paramount importance of compassion for all living beings in Jainism.
Special Work with Care (Jaynapoorvak nu Vishisht Karya): A massive community meal for over 800,000 Jains is meticulously prepared with utmost care for Jain principles (Jayna), including the use of specific ingredients and meticulous attention to dietary restrictions, showcasing immense organizational skill and devotion to Jain practices.

Overall, "Jain Adarsh Prasango Part 11" is a collection of inspiring stories that aim to reinforce faith, encourage virtuous conduct, and highlight the practical application of Jain philosophy in everyday life. The book emphasizes the power of devotion, the importance of righteousness, the benefits of austerity, and the profound impact of Jain teachings on transforming lives.