Jasahar Chariu

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jasahar Chariu" based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Jasahar Chariu (Jashahar Charu / Yasodhara Charita) Author: Mahākavi Puṣpadanta (Great Poet Pushpadanta) Editors/Translators:

• First Edition: Dr. Parshuram Lakshman Vaidya
• Revised Edition (with Hindi translation and introduction): Dr. Hiralal Jain Publisher: Bhāratīya Jñānapīṭha Series: Jñānapīṭha Mūrtidevi Jain Granthamālā : Apabhraṁśa Granthaṅk-11

Overall Context: "Jasahar Chariu" is a significant literary work composed in the Apabhramsa language by the renowned medieval Jain poet Pushpadanta. The text is part of the "Bharatiya Jñānapīṭha Mūrtidevi Jain Granthamālā," a prestigious series dedicated to publishing critically edited Jain texts with translations and scholarly introductions. This particular edition is a revised and expanded version, building upon the first edition edited by Dr. P. L. Vaidya, and featuring a complete Hindi translation and introduction by Dr. Hiralal Jain.

Author and His Works: Pushpadanta was a gifted poet of medieval India, known for his learning and self-respect. He composed three major epical poems in Apabhramsa: "Mahāpurāņa," "Nāyakumāracariu," and "Jasaharacariu." He provides significant biographical details about himself and his patrons in his works. Pushpadanta was born a Brahmin but later converted to Jainism. He faced patronage issues with a former Saiva royal patron, which led him to migrate to Manyakheta, the capital of the Rashtrakutas during the reign of Krishnaraja III. Manyakheta was a flourishing center for literature, and Pushpadanta flourished under the patronage of minister Bharata and his son Nanna. His works were composed between approximately 850 AD and 972 AD. "Jasaharacariu" is considered his last known work.

The Story of Jasahara (Yasodhara): The "Jasahar Chariu" narrates the story of Yasodhara, a virtuous prince whose soul undergoes a long series of rebirths due to karmic consequences. The narrative highlights key Jain philosophical concepts, particularly:

1. Ahimsa (Non-violence): The story strongly emphasizes the doctrine of Ahimsa, extending it to all living beings, not just humans. Even the intention to kill carries dire karmic consequences. The text contrasts violent practices, like animal and human sacrifice in religious rituals, with the sanctity of all life promoted by Jain ascetics.
2. Karma Doctrine: The text illustrates the automatic and inescapable working of karma, where individuals inevitably reap the fruits of their thoughts, words, and actions. It shows how actions, even seemingly minor ones like making a paste cock for sacrifice, lead to a chain of births and deaths with corresponding suffering.
3. Reincarnation and Jati-smarana: The soul is depicted as passing through numerous rebirths in various forms (human, animal, celestial) as a result of its accumulated karma. There are instances of "jati-smarana" (remembering past lives), which aids in understanding the karmic consequences and leads to spiritual awakening.
4. Spiritual Guidance: The story shows how great religious teachers guide erring souls back to the right path through their teachings and exemplary lives.

Plot Summary (as described in the Introductions):

The story begins in the Yaudheya country, with its capital Rajapura, ruled by King Maridatta. A Kāpālikācārya named Bhairavananda visits, claiming supernatural powers and advocating for the sacrifice of living beings, including a human pair, to appease the goddess Candamari. King Maridatta orders the collection of animal pairs, but struggles to find a human pair.

Simultaneously, a Jain monk Sudatta, with his young disciples Abhayaruci (boy) and Abhayamati (girl), arrives in the region. They are mistakenly captured by the king's men and brought to the temple for sacrifice. The boy kshullaka then recounts their past lives:

• Previous Births: The story details the transmigration of souls through various forms, including peacock, dog, mongoose, snake, fish, crocodile, goat, buffalo, cock, hen, and ultimately, as human twins Abhayaruci and Abhayamati. These rebirths are driven by the karmic consequences of their past actions, particularly the adherence to violent practices (like offering a flour-cock) and the consequences of infidelity and betrayal.
• The Transformation: The narrative culminates with Abhayaruci and Abhayamati, as kshullakas, encountering Sudatta, a venerable Jain monk. Through Sudatta's teachings and their own recollected past lives, they understand the futility of worldly pleasures, the destructiveness of violence, and the triumph of Ahimsa.
• Religious Awakening: The story of their suffering and eventual liberation through Jain principles profoundly impacts King Maridatta, his goddess Candamari, and his subjects. They all repent their violent ways, renounce their attachments, and embrace Jainism, specifically the vows of Ahimsa and detachment.
• Family Lineage: The story traces the lineage and rebirths of key characters, showing how actions in one life influence the next, and how spiritual guidance leads to liberation. For instance, the souls of Jasahara and Candramati reappear in various forms, experiencing the consequences of their past deeds, until they finally achieve spiritual understanding.

Editorial Contributions:

• Dr. P. L. Vaidya (First Edition): Dr. Vaidya's critical edition provided the foundation for this work. He identified the manuscript traditions, differentiated between recensions (Sena Gaņa Group - shorter; Balātkāra Gaņa Group - longer), and identified interpolations made by Gandharva in 1308 AD. His introduction provided biographical details of Pushpadanta, discussed the historical background, analyzed the language, and listed numerous other works related to the Yasodhara tale.
• Dr. Hiralal Jain (Revised Edition): Dr. Hiralal Jain's revision enriched the work significantly by adding a complete Hindi translation, a detailed Hindi introduction, and incorporating feedback to improve the glossary and textual references. He also addressed issues regarding textual continuity and potential interpolations, offering insights into the development of Apabhramsa studies and Pushpadanta's literary significance. His work was crucial in making this text accessible to a wider audience.

Linguistic and Literary Merit: Pushpadanta's command over the Apabhramsa language is highly praised. His works are noted for their rich vocabulary, use of various meters, elegant style, and poetic qualities. The text includes a detailed analysis of the prosody and meters used, highlighting their contribution to the development of later Indo-Aryan languages like Hindi. The glossary provides an extensive list of Apabhramsa words and their meanings, aiding linguistic study.

Historical and Cultural Significance: The "Jasahar Chariu" offers valuable insights into the religious, social, and cultural milieu of medieval India. It reflects the prevalence of practices like animal sacrifice and the stark contrast between violent Vedic traditions and the triumphant doctrine of Ahimsa championed by Jainism. The story of Yasodhara's tale becoming linked with the Jivadayāṣṭami Vrata further illustrates its popularity and moral impact on the Jain laity. The text also sheds light on historical locations like Manyakheta and Rajapura, and the socio-religious landscape of regions like Punjab (Yaudheya country).

In essence, "Jasahar Chariu" is a masterpiece of Apabhramsa literature that not only tells a compelling story of karmic retribution and spiritual awakening but also serves as a vital resource for understanding Jain philosophy, language evolution, and cultural history.