Jain Vartao 03

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jain Vartao 03" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Jain Vartao 03 (Jain Stories Part 3) Author: Harilal Jain Publisher: Digambar Jain Swadhyay Mandir Trust Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/008252/1

This book, "Jain Vartao 03," is the third installment in a series of ten books, aiming to impart Jain religious values and principles through captivating stories. The publisher highlights that these stories are well-received and serve as an excellent tool for instilling religious values in children, as well as inspiring peace and self-improvement in individuals of all ages. The series is published in memory of the revered Kanji Swami.

The provided text contains several stories, primarily focusing on themes of renunciation (vairagya), karma, and the pursuit of spiritual knowledge (jnana) and conduct (charitra).

Key Stories and Themes:

1. Sagar Chakravarti and the 60,000 Princes:

   • This story details the life of Sagar, a Chakravarti (universal ruler) who was once King Jayasen in a previous life. Jayasen, after the death of one of his sons, renounced the world and became a monk. He and his brother-in-law, Maharut, both attained liberation. They made a pact to guide each other towards renunciation in future lives.
   • Sagar, as a Chakravarti, enjoyed worldly pleasures but remained unmoved by the advice of his celestial friend, Maniketu, who reminded him of their past lives and the ultimate futility of worldly pursuits.
   • Maniketu, in various forms (a monk, a serpent), tried to awaken Sagar's renunciation, but Sagar's attachment to his 60,000 virtuous sons prevented him from taking diksha (initiation).
   • Ultimately, through a staged incident where his sons were seemingly killed by a serpent (created by Maniketu), Sagar was deeply shaken. This, coupled with his inherent spiritual inclination, led him to finally accept diksha from a Kevali (omniscient being). His sons, upon hearing of his renunciation and the supposed death of their brothers, also took diksha.
   • The story emphasizes the power of friendship in guiding towards spirituality and the strong pull of attachment, even for someone with prior spiritual knowledge.

2. Renunciation of 26 Princes (Story of Vajrabahu):

   • This narrative focuses on Prince Vajrabahu, who, shortly after his marriage, witnessed a Digambara Muni in deep meditation. This sight sparked intense renunciation within him.
   • His brother-in-law, Udaysundar, jokingly challenged him, saying he would also become a monk if Vajrabahu did. Vajrabahu, seizing this opportunity, immediately decided to take diksha.
   • His wife, Manodaya, also renounced the world, as did Udaysundar and 26 other princes, inspired by Vajrabahu's resolve.
   • The story highlights how a single moment of spiritual insight can lead to profound detachment and the courage to embrace the spiritual path, influencing others to follow. It contrasts the superficiality of worldly pleasures with the deep peace found in spiritual practice.

3. Sukoshal Prince's Renunciation (and the story of the tigress):

   • This story follows Sukoshal, the son of King Kirtidhar. Kirtidhar, a virtuous king, abdicated his throne to his infant son, Sukoshal, and became a muni.
   • Sukoshal's mother, Sahadevi, deeply attached to her husband and son, harbored resentment towards monks and forbade them from entering the palace vicinity, fearing her son would also renounce.
   • Sukoshal, however, was spiritually inclined. He saw his father, Kirtidhar Muni, being denied entry into the city and recognized him. Despite his mother's protests and the soldiers' obstruction, Sukoshal renounced the world, following his father's footsteps.
   • Later, his mother Sahadevi, due to her intense moha (attachment) and condemnation of the Jain path, was reborn as a tigress.
   • The tigress encountered Sukoshal Muni in the forest and attacked him. During this attack, Sukoshal attained Kevaljnana (omniscience) and Moksha.
   • The tigress, upon seeing a distinctive mark on Sukoshal's hand, remembered her past as his mother and was filled with remorse. Muni Kirtidhar, her former husband, preached to her, leading her to renounce her sinful ways, eventually leading to her rebirth in a celestial realm.
   • This story underscores the consequences of condemning the righteous path and the transformative power of spiritual realization, even for a fierce animal.

4. The Elephant's Renunciation (Story of Trilokmandan and Bharat):

   • This narrative connects the elephant Trilokmandan with Bharat, a devout character from the Ramayana.
   • The elephant, previously King Ravana's prized possession, was brought to Ayodhya. Bharat, deeply spiritual and seeking renunciation, was captivated by the elephant's magnificent form.
   • The elephant, in turn, recognized Bharat as its former spiritual companion from a past life in heaven. This recollection of past spiritual connection and its current animal existence filled the elephant with intense renunciation.
   • The elephant stopped eating and became withdrawn, seeking spiritual solace. Upon hearing the sermons of Kevalis Deshbhushan and Kulbhushan, it took the vows of a Shravak (lay follower) and attained spiritual peace.
   • This story highlights the enduring nature of past karma and spiritual connections across lifetimes, showing that even an animal can attain spiritual understanding and merit through Jain teachings.

5. Renunciation of Deshbhushan and Kulbhushan (Two Virtuous Princes):

   • These twin princes, deeply attached to each other, encountered a beautiful princess. Mistaking her for a potential bride, they became infatuated and began to quarrel, even contemplating violence against each other.
   • Their wise minister revealed that the princess was, in fact, their own sister. This revelation shocked them, leading to immense shame and a profound realization of the illusory nature of worldly desires and the entanglement of relationships across lifetimes.
   • Overwhelmed by this insight, they renounced their worldly life and took diksha, becoming powerful muni-brothers who achieved great spiritual powers (riddhis).
   • Their father, grieving their departure, was reborn as a celestial being (Garudenra).
   • The story emphasizes the deceptive nature of worldly attachments and how even the strongest bonds of brotherhood can be tested and broken by desire. It also showcases the spiritual family (purity, forgiveness, truth, compassion, self-control) that replaces worldly family for true seekers.
   • The narrative then recounts how these muni-brothers, Deshbhushan and Kulbhushan, faced severe spiritual trials (upasarga) from a demonic being named Agniprabh, who was their enemy from a past life. They remained steadfast in their meditation.
   • Rama and Lakshmana, witnessing this, intervened and dispelled the demonic influence. This event led to the muni-brothers attaining Kevaljnana. Their father, Garudenra, also met them and offered boons. The story concludes with the princes' continued spiritual journey and their eventual liberation from Kuntal Giri.

Overall Themes and Messages:

• The transience of worldly pleasures: The stories consistently portray that material possessions, power, and even familial relationships are impermanent and ultimately fail to provide lasting happiness.
• The power of renunciation (vairagya): The highest form of happiness and liberation is achieved through detachment from worldly desires and the embrace of the spiritual path.
• The law of Karma: Past actions (karma) significantly influence present circumstances, including one's birth, relationships, and spiritual predispositions.
• The importance of spiritual friendship: True friends are those who inspire and guide one towards spiritual growth and liberation.
• The potential for spiritual realization: The stories demonstrate that spiritual awakening and liberation are possible for all beings, regardless of their current form or circumstances, if they follow the Jain path of right faith, knowledge, and conduct.
• The deceptive nature of attachment (moha): Even those with prior spiritual understanding can be ensnared by attachments to family, wealth, or sensory pleasures, hindering their spiritual progress.
• The value of the Jain teachings (Jinvani): The teachings of the Jinas offer the ultimate path to salvation and are capable of transforming even the most ordinary or fierce beings into spiritual aspirants.

The book concludes with two lullabies for Jain children, encouraging them to embrace the spiritual path, realize their true self, and ultimately become "God-like" (Bhagavan). It also lists other publications by the same publisher.