Kaha Tak Apka Shasan Aur Adhikar

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text:

Book Title: Kaha Tak Apka Shasan aur Adhikar (How Far Does Your Rule and Authority Extend?) Author: Nemichandra Patoriya

This excerpt from a Jain text, likely a celebratory volume or collection of essays, focuses on a narrative involving the renowned King Janak of Mithila, a figure often associated with spiritual wisdom and detachment in various Indian traditions, including Jainism.

The story begins by describing King Janak's reputation for justice and piety, highlighting his extreme detachment from his own body, which led scholars to refer to him as "Videha" (without a body or without attachment). He was considered a living embodiment of renunciation even while residing in his household. His kingdom was known for its four universities and numerous gurukuls (residential schools).

A dispute arose between students from two different gurukuls, escalating from a debate to physical altercations and damage to one of the gurukuls. When the complaint reached the royal authorities, a prominent leader of the students was apprehended and presented before King Janak.

The young student, described as fearless, admitted to the alleged wrongdoing. King Janak, in response, pronounced a punishment: banishment from his kingdom. The student, who was also a scholar, humbly asked the king to first clarify the extent of his rule and authority, so that he could then move beyond those limits.

King Janak, being a profound scholar himself, pondered this question deeply. He realized that many aspects of nature – water, land, sky, the sun, the moon – were beyond his dominion. He then reflected further and understood that even his possessions, like his palace, gardens, and treasury, were not entirely under his absolute control, as their use and alteration were not solely his prerogative. More importantly, he recognized that people – his subjects, his family, and his relatives – were clearly independent of his direct rule.

His introspection led him to an even deeper realization: his own body, youth, and even individual moments of life were not within the firm grasp of his authority. This realization brought a somber expression to his face.

He then addressed the student, acknowledging the profound nature of his question, which had left him almost speechless. King Janak confessed that in truth, his rule and authority extended to neither a particle of earth nor a blade of grass, nor even a fleeting moment. To claim ownership over these was, he stated, mere ignorance and ego.

The student, with humility, affirmed that the king's words were profoundly true and rooted in ultimate reality. However, he reiterated his anticipation of the king's judgment.

King Janak, in a calm and measured tone, instructed the student to return to his gurukul and dedicate himself to his studies. He imparted a crucial lesson: "What is unfavorable to your self, do not do to others." He explained that if the student desired peace in his own studies, he should ensure his actions did not create disharmony for others.

The student humbly promised to adhere to the king's command for his entire life. He offered his respects and departed for his gurukul.

The text concludes by stating that the king's "eyes of knowledge" were opened through the student, and the student's "vision of conduct" was opened through the king. This highlights the principle of mutual interdependence ("Parasparopagraho Jivanam"). The narrative implies that this same student later became a distinguished scholar and the royal priest of Mithila.

In essence, the excerpt uses the story of King Janak and the learned student to illustrate the Jain philosophical concepts of:

• Non-attachment (Vairagya and Nisprihata): King Janak's detachment from his own body and possessions serves as an ideal.
• The Limits of Authority and Ownership: The core of the narrative is the exploration of what truly falls within one's control and what lies beyond, emphasizing that even the most powerful ruler has no absolute dominion over natural elements, possessions, or, most significantly, oneself and others.
• The Importance of Conduct and Mutual Respect: The king's final instruction and the student's promise underscore the ethical principle of treating others as one wishes to be treated, and the interconnectedness of all beings.
• The Value of Knowledge and Introspection: Both King Janak and the student gain profound insights through their interaction, highlighting the transformative power of deep thought and ethical guidance.