Jain Shiloka Sangraha Pustika

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Shiloka Sangraha Pustika" by Nana Dadaji Gund, based on the provided pages:

Overall Purpose:

The "Jain Shiloka Sangraha Pustika" is a collection of verses (shlokas) intended for the knowledge and reading of Jain followers (shravak). It aims to impart moral, spiritual, and historical narratives related to prominent figures and teachings within Jainism. The text is written in a vernacular language (likely Gujarati or a related dialect) with a devotional and narrative style.

Content Summary:

The book is structured as a collection of individual narratives, each focusing on a significant Jain figure or event, presented in verse form. Based on the provided pages, the key sections covered are:

• Rishabh Dev Ji (Lord Rishabhadeva/Adinath):

  • This section details the birth and early life of the first Tirthankara, Lord Rishabhadeva.
  • It describes his divine conception, the celestial celebrations surrounding his birth (including Indras bathing him), and his upbringing by his mother Marudeva.
  • The verses recount the joyous celebrations, the variety of food offered, and the meticulous care taken by his mother.
  • It mentions his marriage to Sumangala and Sunanda, and his sons Bharat and Bahubali.
  • The narrative touches upon his renunciation, his austerities, and his attainment of Kevala Jnana (omniscience) at Patalgram.
  • Key events like the first alms-giving (dada) by Shreyans Kumar are highlighted, along with the significance of his disciples and the establishment of the Jain order.
  • The verses also describe the grand pilgrimage of Lord Rishabhadeva, including the journey to Shatrunjaya and the construction of temples.

• Shalin-endra Shah (King Shrenik and Shalin-bhadra):

  • This section seems to focus on the story of King Shrenik and his queen Chellana, and their son Shalin-bhadra.
  • It describes a wealthy merchant named Shalin-bhadra and his virtuous mother, Nadra.
  • The narrative touches upon Shalin-bhadra's charitable deeds and his immense wealth.
  • A significant portion seems to be dedicated to the interactions between Shrenik, Chellana, and Shalin-bhadra, possibly involving worldly possessions and renunciation.
  • There's a mention of Shalin-bhadra's immense generosity, perhaps related to donating wealth or possessions.
  • The story likely culminates in Shalin-bhadra embracing the Jain path or demonstrating profound detachment.

• Neminath Ji (Lord Neminatha):

  • This section narrates the life and teachings of the 22nd Tirthankara, Lord Neminatha.
  • It begins with his birth in the Yadu dynasty to King Samudravijaya and Queen Shivadevi in the city of Sauripura.
  • The verses describe the celestial celebrations and the auspicious omens associated with his birth.
  • A key event mentioned is Lord Neminatha's encounter with the animals being led to slaughter for a feast, which triggers his renunciation.
  • The narrative likely covers his marriage to Rajul (Uddharak), his eventual detachment from worldly life, and his spiritual journey.
  • The verses describe the grand preparations for his wedding, the presence of Lord Krishna, and the symbolic act of Neminatha breaking his vows to marry Rajul.
  • The text mentions his renunciation and the eventual attainment of Kevala Jnana.

• Parshvanath Ji (Lord Parshvanatha):

  • This section focuses on the 23rd Tirthankara, Lord Parshvanatha, also known as Shankheshwar Parshvanatha.
  • It recounts his life and miraculous feats in the land of Vaddhiyar during the Kali Yuga.
  • A significant event described is the battle against Jarashandha, where Lord Parshvanatha's spiritual prowess and the intervention of Dharanendra (a Naga king) and Padmavati are highlighted.
  • The verses depict Lord Parshvanatha's unwavering resolve and his ability to overcome adversity through spiritual strength.
  • The narrative likely emphasizes his role in establishing righteousness and his eventual attainment of Kevala Jnana at Shankhpur.

• Shri Shatrunjaya Tirth:

  • This section is dedicated to the holy pilgrimage site of Shatrunjaya.
  • It describes the sacredness and eternal nature of the mountain, revered by gods, humans, and demons.
  • The verses mention the great kings and ascetics who achieved liberation there, including King Sagara.
  • The text highlights the importance of visiting Shatrunjaya for spiritual merit and the removal of sins.
  • It details the pilgrimage journey, the worship of the foot-prints of Tirthankaras, and the construction of numerous temples.
  • The narrative touches upon the role of the Jain community in maintaining and developing the pilgrimage site.
  • It mentions the significance of the river Shatrunji, the Suraj Kund, and other sacred spots.

• Shri Bharat and Bahubali:

  • This section focuses on the two sons of Lord Rishabhadeva, Bharat and Bahubali, renowned for their strength and renunciation.
  • It describes Bharat's victory in conquering six continents with his divine Chakra and his establishment of a vast empire.
  • The narrative details the famous conflict between Bharat and his brother Bahubali over the Chakra.
  • It recounts the epic wrestling match between them and Bahubali's ultimate victory.
  • The verses emphasize Bahubali's renunciation of worldly power and his attainment of Kevala Jnana, becoming the first digambara (sky-clad) ascetic.
  • The story likely illustrates the Jain principle of detachment from power and the pursuit of spiritual liberation.

• Vivek Vilas (The Play of Discretion):

  • This section appears to be an allegorical representation of the human body and its internal faculties.
  • The city is described as having ten chief citizens (Diwan) representing different senses and internal energies (like prana, apana, samana, etc.).
  • The "city's king" represents the mind, which is portrayed as powerful and influencing emotions like lust, anger, greed, attachment, ego, etc.
  • These negative qualities are described as the "king's family" and "wives," leading to conflicts and worldly attachments.
  • The narrative seems to illustrate the struggle between virtuous qualities (like discretion, knowledge, contentment) and vices, and the path to renunciation and spiritual liberation.

• Shri Vimal Shah:

  • This section narrates the story of Vimal Shah, a prominent Jain merchant and a devout follower.
  • It highlights his piety and devotion, especially his commitment to building temples and supporting Jain traditions.
  • The verses describe his interactions with spiritual leaders and his determination to fulfill their wishes, such as constructing temples.
  • The narrative might include his overcoming of challenges, his rise to prominence, and his significant contributions to Jainism, particularly related to the Mount Abu region.
  • It emphasizes his patronage of Jain art and architecture.

Overall Themes and Significance:

The "Jain Shiloka Sangraha Pustika" serves several important functions:

• Devotional Narrative: It presents the lives of Tirthankaras and important figures in a devotional and engaging manner, fostering reverence and faith.
• Moral Instruction: Through the stories, it implicitly teaches Jain ethical principles such as non-violence (ahimsa), detachment (vairagya), righteousness (dharma), and the importance of spiritual practices.
• Historical and Legendary Account: It preserves Jain historical accounts and legends, passing down the rich heritage of the tradition.
• Inspiration for Renunciation: The narratives of ascetics and those who achieve liberation serve as inspiration for readers to contemplate spiritual pursuits.
• Accessibility: By presenting these complex narratives in verse, the book makes Jain teachings more accessible and memorable to a wider audience.

Note on Fair Use and Availability:

The "Fair Use Declaration" at the beginning indicates that the book is sourced from another online repository and made available for educational and research purposes under the TFIC collection. The TFIC team supports digitization efforts and aims to make rare or difficult-to-access texts available, particularly in English, while respecting intellectual property.

This summary provides a detailed overview of the content and purpose of the "Jain Shiloka Sangraha Pustika" based on the provided textual excerpts.