Jeevandhar Swami

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Jeevandhar Swami" by Dharmchand Shastri, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Jeevandhar Swami Author: Dharmchand Shastri Publisher: Acharya Dharmshrut Granthmala Genre: Jain Illustrated Story (Chitra Katha)

Overview: This book is an illustrated narrative detailing the life of Jeevandhar Swami, a prominent figure in Jain tradition. The story highlights his arduous and multifaceted life, marked by immense struggles, adversities, and eventual attainment of spiritual liberation (Moksha). The editorial note emphasizes that Jeevandhar Swami's life journey, from a prophesied birth in difficult circumstances to ultimate renunciation and enlightenment, serves as an inspiration, demonstrating the human tendency to get attached through worldly desires and the eventual pursuit of self-knowledge and liberation.

Key Events and Themes in Jeevandhar Swami's Life:

• Prophetic Birth and Early Life:

  • The story begins with King Satyandhar and Queen Vijaya of Rajpuri. Queen Vijaya has three auspicious dreams, interpreted as the birth of a virtuous son who will have eight wives. However, a foreboding dream hints at future misfortune.
  • King Satyandhar, infatuated with his queen, abdicates his responsibilities to his minister Kaashthangar.
  • Kaashthangar, driven by ambition and a divine prophecy (which is revealed to be a trick), conspires to kill King Satyandhar and usurp the throne.
  • Queen Vijaya, warned by her ministers, flees in a peacock-shaped airplane provided by Satyandhar.
  • She gives birth to a son, Jeevandhar, in a cremation ground. She abandons him, leaving behind a ring with royal insignia, and goes into seclusion in Dandak forest.
  • The child is found by the merchant Gandhotkat, who brings him to his wife Sunanda. Gandhotkat's son has recently died, and they are told they will find a healthy child in the cremation ground.
  • Jeevandhar is raised as a prince alongside Sunanda's second son, Nandadhya.

• Education and Early Prowess:

  • Jeevandhar receives education from Guru Aryānandi. He learns that his father was killed by Kaashthangar and vows revenge. However, he promises his guru not to engage in battle for a year.
  • Jeevandhar demonstrates his bravery and resourcefulness by recovering stolen cattle from the Bhils, an act that the king's army failed to accomplish. This earns him acclaim and a marriage proposal from Nand Gop, who offers his daughter Govinda and seven gold coins. Jeevandhar politely declines the dowry and requests Govinda be married to his friend Padmasya.

• Journeys and Marriages:

  • Shreedatta's Rescue and Gandharvadatta's Marriage: Jeevandhar rescues Shreedatta, a merchant whose boat was destroyed in a storm, and brings him to Vijaya mountain. There, he meets Vidyadhar Dhar, who takes him to meet his master, King Garudveg. Jeevandhar helps King Garudveg conduct a swayamvara (choice of groom ceremony) for his daughter Gandharvadatta, who is known for her musical skills. Jeevandhar wins the competition by defeating Gandharvadatta in a veena (lute) playing contest and marries her.
  • The Quarrelsome Friends and the Injured Dog: During a trip to the river, Jeevandhar witnesses a quarrel between two women over the superiority of their beauty powders. He also sees Brahmins mistreating an injured dog. He consoles the dog by reciting the Navkar Mantra, and after its death, the dog is reborn as Yakshhendra, a celestial being, who vows to assist Jeevandhar in times of need.
  • Gunamala's Marriage: Jeevandhar becomes involved in resolving the dispute between the two women and develops a relationship with Gunamala. He later marries her.
  • Kaashthangar's Revenge Plot: Kaashthangar, still in power, hears about Jeevandhar's exploits and orders his capture. Jeevandhar is arrested and sentenced to death. However, Yakshhendra, remembering his vow, rescues Jeevandhar using his supernatural powers and takes him to Chandrodaya mountain, prophesying his future kingship and spiritual liberation.

• Further Adventures and Marriages:

  • Saving Elephants: Jeevandhar encounters a forest fire and, motivated by compassion, saves a herd of elephants from the flames.
  • Princess Padma's Cure: He travels to Chandrabha city and cures Princess Padma, the daughter of King Dhanapati, from a venomous snakebite using his medicinal knowledge. He is offered her hand in marriage by her brother Lokpal and accepts.
  • Monastic Encounter: While traveling, Jeevandhar visits a monastery on Chitrakut mountain where he enlightens the ascetics with Jain teachings, leading them to embrace Jainism.
  • Opening the Jinnalaya: In southern India, he arrives at a Jinnalaya (temple) whose doors are closed. His arrival causes the doors to open miraculously.
  • Kshemshri's Marriage: Seth Subhadra, who had a servant named Gunabhadra stationed to find the man whose arrival would open the temple doors, recognizes Jeevandhar as the prophesied groom for his daughter Kshemshri and arranges their marriage.
  • Renunciation of Ornaments: After some time, Jeevandhar decides to leave Kshempuri. He renounces his ornaments and gives them to a farmer, advising him about the transient nature of worldly pleasures and the path to true happiness through spiritual knowledge.

• Skill and Wisdom:

  • Archery Demonstration: In Hemabha city, Jeevandhar impresses King Dridhamitra by successfully hitting a fruit with an arrow, an act the king's sons couldn't accomplish. He is asked to educate the princes.
  • Kanakmala's Marriage: He educates the princes to become scholars and is offered the hand of King Dridhamitra's daughter, Kanakmala, in marriage as a reward.

• Reunion with Family and Return of Kingdom:

  • Meeting Nandadhya: Jeevandhar reunites with his younger brother Nandadhya, who was sent by Gandharvadatta.
  • Reconciliation with Kaashthangar's Subjects: Jeevandhar returns to Rajpuri and learns that his mother, Vijaya, is alive and living in an ashram. He hears from his servants that Kaashthangar is planning to attack his maternal uncle, King Govindraj.
  • Diplomacy and Confrontation with Kaashthangar: Jeevandhar advises his uncle against direct war and proposes a diplomatic approach. He writes to Kaashthangar, exposing his deceit and inviting him to Rajpuri. Kaashthangar falsely claims King Satyandhar was killed by a wild elephant and plots to harm Govindraj.
  • The Chandrak Yantra: King Govindraj, despite warnings, accepts the invitation and meets Kaashthangar. Govindraj announces a reward for anyone who can break the "Chandrak Yantra."
  • Revealing Jeevandhar's Identity: Jeevandhar breaks the Chandrak Yantra, proving his identity as the son of King Satyandhar. Kaashthangar, realizing his defeat and the truth, is overcome with remorse and fear.
  • Defeat of Kaashthangar: A battle ensues, and Jeevandhar, with the help of his friends and army, defeats and kills Kaashthangar, thus avenging his father.

• Reign and Renunciation:

  • Coronation and Good Governance: Jeevandhar is crowned King of Rajpuri. He appoints his brother Nandadhya as Yuvaraj (crown prince) and marries Lakshmana, the daughter of King Govindraj. He also elevates his mothers, Vijaya and Sunanda, to the status of Rajmatas (Queens Mother). He implements benevolent policies, including a twelve-year tax exemption for the people.
  • Renunciation of Mothers and Gandhotkat: Queen Mother Vijaya, seeing her son's prosperity and the fulfillment of her good deeds, decides to renounce the world and become a nun. Her co-wife Sunanda and her adoptive father Gandhotkat also decide to take monastic vows.
  • Jeevandhar's Dispassion: Jeevandhar is saddened by their departure but is consoled by Aryaika Padmavati.
  • Monastic Inspiration from a Monkey: While on a water excursion with his eight wives, Jeevandhar observes a monkey's actions, highlighting the fleeting nature of attachments and possessions. This observation strengthens his resolve to renounce the world.
  • Past Life Revelation: Jeevandhar learns about his past life from a sage, where he was King Yashodhar's son and had renounced the world after a similar incident. He realizes his eight wives were also his companions in previous lives.
  • Asceticism and Liberation: Jeevandhar entrusts his kingdom to his son with Gandharvadatta and, along with his eight wives, goes to Lord Mahavir's samavasaran (preaching assembly). He takes initiation from Lord Mahavir, practices severe penance, attains Kevala Jnana (omniscience), and ultimately achieves Moksha (liberation).

Underlying Message: The story of Jeevandhar Swami is a powerful illustration of the Jain principles of karma, detachment, non-violence, and the pursuit of liberation. It emphasizes that worldly happiness is temporary and that true fulfillment lies in spiritual knowledge and righteous conduct. The narrative highlights the consequences of attachment, anger, greed, and deceit, while celebrating compassion, courage, wisdom, and self-control. The book also aims to educate readers, particularly children, through engaging illustrations and simple language, promoting Jain values and philosophy.