Jain Dharm Ki Kahaniya Part 03 - Book Summary

Here is a comprehensive summary in English of the Jain text "Jain Dharm Ki Kahaniya Part 03":

This book, titled "Jain Dharm Ki Kahaniya Part 03" (Stories of Jain Dharma, Part 3), is published by the Akhil Bharatiya Jain Yuva Federation and is part of the Shrimati Dhudhibai Khemraj Gidia Granthmala. It is authored by Brahmachari Haribhai Songadh, translated by Sau. Swarnalata Jain, and edited by Pandit Rameshchandra Jain Shastri. The catalog link provided is jainqq.org/explore/032252/1.

The book is dedicated to the spiritual revolution influenced by Gurudev Shri Kanjiswami, with the Akhil Bharatiya Jain Yuva Federation being established under the guidance of Dr. Hukumchandji Bharill of the Pandit Todarmal Smarak Trust, Jaipur. The Khargone branch of the Federation was formed on December 26, 1980, and has been actively engaged in various religious and literary activities, including the publication of literature. The Shrimati Dhudhibai Khemraj Gidia Granthmala was established in 1988 to further this literary work.

The book itself is a collection of 10 stories filled with philosophical knowledge, detachment, and wisdom, based on the past lives of revered Jain figures. The editor is Pandit Rameshchandra Jain Shastri. The publisher expresses happiness that these stories are benefiting people of all ages and hopes that readers will gain understanding and follow the righteous path. Future plans include publishing more Jain children's literature, including a "Jain Comics" series. The publishers also express gratitude to donors and members who support their literary endeavors.

The book contains the following stories:

Ek Tha Bandar (There Was a Monkey): This story recounts the past life of a monkey who was a deceitful merchant in a previous human birth. He becomes a monkey due to his karma but develops devotion to Jain monks after observing their life. He witnesses a king offering alms to monks and develops a desire to serve them. The monks reveal his future, stating he will be born as a son to the same king (who will later become Tirthankara Rishabhdev) and eventually become a Ganesha (chief disciple), attaining liberation. The story highlights how devotion and good intentions, even from an animal form, can lead to spiritual progress.
Ek Tha Mendhak (There Was a Frog): This story tells of a frog that, inspired by the arrival of Lord Mahavir in Rajgir, decides to go and have His darshan. While hopping towards the Samavsaran with a flower in its mouth, it is accidentally crushed by King Shrenik's elephant. However, due to its pure devotional intent, the frog is reborn as a celestial being (Deva). The story emphasizes the power of devotion, even a small act, in leading to favorable rebirths.
Kahan Hai Mera Chidanand Prabhu? (Where is My Blissful Lord?): This philosophical story uses an analogy to explain the nature of the soul (Atma). It describes a seeker looking for their "Chidanand Prabhu" (Blissful Lord). Through the guidance of a knowledgeable guru, the seeker learns that the Lord is not external but resides within. The soul is described as being hidden in three "caves": no-karma (physical body), dravya-karma (karmic substances), and bhava-karma (passions like anger, pride, deceit, greed). By transcending these, one can realize their true self.
Bhav Parivartan Ki Kala (The Art of Changing Feelings): This section introduces the concept of transformative emotional change, focusing on two artists: Bahurupi Brahmagulal and the goldsmith Angarak. The core idea is that individuals have the power to change their inner states, turning negative emotions into positive ones, and moving from worldly attachment to spiritual detachment.
- Mahan Bhavparivartak Bahurupi Brahmagulal (The Great Transformer, Bahurupi Brahmagulal): This story narrates the life of Brahmagulal, a Jain actor skilled in portraying various roles. He is challenged by envious friends of a prince to play the role of a fierce lion and demonstrate true ferocity. Brahmagulal excels, but in his intense portrayal, he accidentally kills the prince. The prince's death deeply impacts the king, leading Brahmagulal to take on the role of a renunciate monk to preach detachment and peace. The king, seeking solace, asks Brahmagulal to preach. Brahmagulal, now a true renunciate, imparts wisdom and refuses worldly rewards, emphasizing the superiority of spiritual wealth over material possessions. Later, the deceased prince is reborn as a lion and confronts Brahmagulal. The lion recognizes Brahmagulal from their past interactions and, upon hearing the monk's teachings about transformation, also experiences a change of heart. The king also arrives, realizes the lion is his son, and inspired by the profound change, renounces his kingdom to become a monk himself.
- Kalakar Angarak Ki Katha (The Story of the Artist Angarak): Angarak, a skilled goldsmith known for his artistry and piety, is tasked with setting a precious Padmaragamani (ruby) for the king. While working, he witnesses a pure, omniscient Jain monk (Chaarana Riddhi dhari) passing by and is filled with immense devotion. He offers alms to the monk. After the monk departs, Angarak discovers the ruby is missing. Suspecting the monk due to his presence, Angarak is overcome with anger and doubt. His internal conflict is resolved when a peacock, which had swallowed the ruby, drops it while Angarak is about to strike the monk. Realizing his error and the monk's purity, Angarak is filled with remorse and seeks forgiveness. He returns the ruby to the king, explaining he can no longer work with material jewels as he has found the true jewels of Ratnatraya (Right Faith, Right Knowledge, Right Conduct) within himself. He abandons his goldsmith profession to pursue spiritual development.
Atmasadhak Veer Gajkumar (Veer Gajkumar, the Soul-Practitioner): This story from the Harivansh Purana describes Gajkumar, the brother of Lord Krishna and cousin of Lord Neminath. Upon witnessing Lord Neminath's renunciation at his wedding, Gajkumar is deeply inspired and renounces worldly life to become a Jain monk. He performs severe penance and attains Kevalgyan (omniscience) and Moksha (liberation) on the same day of his initiation. The story emphasizes the power of willpower and devotion in achieving spiritual goals, even amidst extreme hardship and persecution.
Dwarika Kaise Jali? (How Did Dwarka Burn?): This narrative details the destruction of Dwarka city. It begins with Lord Neminath predicting the city's demise due to the misconduct of the Yadav clan and the wrath of Muni Dvipayana. Despite attempts to prevent it, fate unfolds. The city is consumed by fire initiated by Muni Dvipayana's anger, fueled by the intoxicating fruits of a Kadamba tree mixed with wine. Lord Krishna and Balarama are unable to save their family and the city. The story highlights the inevitability of karma and the impermanence of worldly possessions and power. It also illustrates how even great souls face the consequences of past actions and the limitations of external power in the face of destiny.
Shrikrishna Ki Mrityu (The Death of Shri Krishna): Following the destruction of Dwarka, Krishna and Balarama journey to the Kaushambi forest. Krishna, suffering from intense thirst, is mistakenly shot by his own elder brother, Jaratkumar, who mistakes his cloth for the ears of a rabbit. Jaratkumar, who had renounced the world to protect Krishna, unknowingly fulfills the prophecy of Lord Neminath. Krishna, accepting his fate and advising his brother to embrace Jainism, passes away. Balarama, grief-stricken, eventually takes Jain initiation after being counseled by Siddhartha, who was formerly his charioteer and reborn as a celestial being.
Pandavon Ka Vairagya (The Renunciation of the Pandavas): After hearing about the destruction of Dwarka and Krishna's death from Jaratkumar, the Pandavas are overcome with sorrow and a sense of impermanence. They rebuild Dwarka and install Jaratkumar as king. Witnessing the transient nature of worldly possessions and life, they are inspired by Lord Neminath's teachings. They then visit Lord Neminath at Girnar, where they learn about their past lives and the karmic consequences of their actions. The story details their karmic connections with Draupadi and their eventual renunciation of their kingdom to become Jain monks, following the path to Moksha. The story concludes by detailing the Twelve Bhavanas (contemplations) that the Pandavas practiced during a period of severe persecution on Shatrunjaya mountain, which led to the liberation of three of them. The remaining two attained heavenly births and will eventually attain Moksha.

The book emphasizes the Jain principles of karma, reincarnation, renunciation, devotion, and the pursuit of spiritual knowledge and liberation. It uses stories of revered figures to illustrate these concepts and inspire readers to live a virtuous life.