Jay Vardhaman

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jay Vardhaman" by Ramkumar Varma, based on the provided text:

Book Title: Jay Vardhaman (Victory to Vardhamana) Author: Dr. Ramkumar Varma Publisher: Bharatiya Sahitya Prakashan, Meerut Genre: Play (Drama)

Overview:

"Jay Vardhaman" is a play written by the renowned Hindi playwright Dr. Ramkumar Varma as a tribute on the occasion of the 2500th Nirvana anniversary of Lord Mahavir. The play aims to showcase the eternal values of Mahavir's teachings – non-violence (Ahimsa), truth (Satya), non-possession (Aparigraha), control of senses (Indriya-nigraha), equanimity (Samata), and compassion (Mamate) – through dramatic dialogues. The author draws heavily from authentic Jain scriptures for the life events and philosophical underpinnings of the play, while also considering theatrical elements for effective staging.

Key Themes and Author's Intent:

• Mahavir as a Universal Figure: The play emphasizes that Lord Mahavir's message transcends the boundaries of caste, creed, time, and place, making him a universal beacon for humanity.
• Spiritual and Ethical Values: The core of the play revolves around the profound ethical and spiritual principles taught by Mahavir, which are presented as a guiding light for human welfare.
• Psychological Depth: Dr. Varma focuses on bringing out the psychological nuances of Mahavir's character and the situations he faced, rather than just recounting events. Mahavir's principles are shown as steadfast, while the dynamic events surrounding him reveal the contrasting characters and situations.
• The Power of Non-Violence and Inner Strength: The play highlights Mahavir's immense capacity for suffering and his active role in human welfare. His ability to withstand extreme hardships for the sake of truth and non-violence, and his rejection of worldly attractions, are central.
• Social Equality: Mahavir's humanistic perspective, which rejected casteism and class divisions, is presented. The play references Jain scriptures that state birth is determined by karma, not by lineage, emphasizing equality.
• Personal Connection and Inspiration: The author shares his personal journey of being drawn to Jainism and its philosophy, starting from childhood reverence to deep scholarly study. This personal connection fuels his desire to present Mahavir's life and teachings to a wider audience.
• Dedication: The play is dedicated to Shri Bhagchand Jain, who the author credits with planting the seed of devotion towards Mahavir in his heart during their childhood.

Plot Summary (based on the Acts described):

The play is divided into five acts, each depicting significant aspects of Mahavir's life and teachings:

• Act 1: The Prince and His Ideals (Valiant Vardhamana):

  • The play opens in Vaishali, highlighting its beauty and the affluent life of Prince Vardhamana (Mahavir).
  • Vardhamana engages with his friends Vijay and Sumitra, who are practicing archery. Vardhamana introduces them to a deeper concept of "aiming" not just at physical targets but at ethical principles like non-violence, truth, non-stealing, non-possession, and celibacy. This establishes his unique philosophical outlook from a young age.
  • An incident where a wild elephant (Indragaja) escapes and wreaks havoc in the city demonstrates Vardhamana's immense courage and compassion. While his friends intend to use weapons, Vardhamana fearlessly pacifies the elephant with his touch and calm demeanor, earning him the title "Mahavir" (Great Hero).
  • Another incident involves a venomous snake (Chandakaushika) attacking the children. Vardhamana calmly picks up the snake and throws it away, showcasing his fearlessness and control.
  • The act concludes with Vardhamana's friends recognizing his extraordinary abilities and dubbing him "Mahavir Vardhamana."

• Act 2: The Father's Concern and a Prince's Virtue:

  • The scene shifts to the royal court, where King Siddhartha is expressing his anger and concern about the escaped elephant and the potential dangers to the citizens.
  • The news of Vardhamana's bravery in subduing the elephant and the snake reaches the King. The King is proud of his son's valor and the praise he is receiving from the people.
  • Queen Trishala joins them, sharing her maternal concerns for Vardhamana's safety and her long-held aspirations for his marriage, based on her auspicious dreams before his birth.
  • Vardhamana appears, and his parents express their pride in his heroic deeds. However, the conversation soon turns to his reluctance towards marriage and his inclination towards renunciation. The King tries to persuade him, emphasizing his duty to the kingdom and the family lineage, referencing the tradition of rulers like Adinath who married and ruled before renouncing.
  • Vardhamana expresses his desire to protect humanity and address societal ills like casteism, animal sacrifice in rituals, and the exploitation of women, stating his intention to seek liberation (Mukti). The King, though initially resistant, is moved by his son's noble intentions and his mother's distress. Ultimately, he reluctantly agrees to his son's marriage, albeit with reservations about his true aspirations.

• Act 3: The Prince's Dilemma and a Mother's Hope:

  • The setting is Queen Trishala's dressing room, where she is contemplating potential brides for Vardhamana by looking at their portraits.
  • Her attendant, Sunita, playfully assists her, but Trishala is deeply invested in finding a suitable match. She expresses her hopes for a daughter-in-law who will bring joy and fulfillment to their lives, especially given Vardhamana's inclination towards renunciation.
  • Trishala finds a portrait of Yashoda, daughter of King Shurasena, and is deeply impressed by her beauty, character, and grace. She believes Yashoda to be the perfect match for Vardhamana.
  • Vardhamana enters, and Trishala reveals her desire for his marriage to Yashoda. Vardhamana expresses his disinterest in marriage, citing his desire for liberation and his aversion to worldly attachments. He sees beauty and wealth as potential bonds.
  • Trishala pleads with him, highlighting the importance of familial duty, the lineage, and her own maternal desires. She emphasizes that refusing marriage would cause her great pain and that he, as a proponent of non-violence, should not inflict such emotional harm on his mother.
  • Torn between his mother's emotions and his own convictions, and possibly to avoid causing further distress, Vardhamana agrees to marry Yashoda.

• Act 4: The Grihastha's Renunciation and the Virtuous Wife:

  • This act depicts the domestic life of Vardhamana and Yashoda after their marriage.
  • Vardhamana continues to explore his spiritual inclinations, finding the worldly attachments of marriage to be a hindrance to his path of liberation. He talks about the ephemeral nature of worldly pleasures, the insignificance of material wealth, and his desire to break free from all bonds.
  • Yashoda, though beautiful and devoted, also expresses her understanding of his spiritual aspirations. She willingly accepts his detachment and even his symbolic renunciation of worldly possessions, such as a valuable necklace gifted by her father, which he casts into a lake.
  • A crucial event occurs when a poor woman, Vishakha, falsely accused of stealing the necklace, is brought before them. Vardhamana and Yashoda demonstrate their compassion and justice by investigating the matter. They discover Vishakha's plight – her husband's death and her starving children.
  • Instead of punishing Vishakha, they arrange for the necklace's jewels to be distributed to the needy, including Vishakha and her children, and provide for their support. This act showcases their commitment to upholding dharma and alleviating suffering, even within their personal lives. Vardhamana views this act as part of his spiritual journey, preparing him for renunciation.

• Act 5: The Ascetic's Triumph Over Adversity:

  • This act portrays Vardhamana in his ascetic phase, after renouncing worldly life. He is shown meditating under a tree in a desolate area.
  • His elder brother, Nandivardhana, finds him and expresses his concern and disapproval of his renunciation, highlighting the abandonment of his family and responsibilities. Vardhamana calmly explains his commitment to his spiritual path, emphasizing that he has burned his desires and achieved inner liberation.
  • The act then introduces three celestial beings (representing Sattva, Rajas, and Tamas qualities) sent by Indra to tempt Mahavir and disrupt his meditation. Despite their allurements of dance, music, and seductive words, Mahavir remains steadfast in his meditation, demonstrating his mastery over his senses.
  • The villagers Indragopa and Chullaka approach Mahavir, warning him about the fearsome yaksha Shulapani who resides in a nearby cave and brutally kills anyone who enters. They recount the death of another ascetic who disregarded their warning.
  • Mahavir, unfazed, declares his lack of fear and his self-assurance. He expresses his desire to face Shulapani. When the yaksha appears and tries to scare and harm Mahavir with his magical powers and a venomous snake (Chandakaushika), Mahavir remains composed. The snake, unable to harm Mahavir, even bites the yaksha.
  • Mahavir then uses his knowledge of herbs to heal the yaksha. The yaksha, humbled and transformed by Mahavir's compassion and power, pledges to abandon his violent ways and serve humanity. The villagers also witness this and vow to follow Mahavir's teachings.
  • The play concludes with Mahavir's triumphant declaration of his spiritual liberation and his commitment to spreading the message of peace and non-violence.

Significance:

"Jay Vardhaman" serves as a powerful dramatic representation of Lord Mahavir's life and teachings, highlighting his extraordinary courage, profound spirituality, and unwavering commitment to non-violence and truth. It aims to inspire audiences with his ideals and his contribution to the moral and ethical upliftment of humanity.