Kamalsen

This text, "Kamalsen," from the JAINA Education Committee, tells the story of a young man named Kamalsen and his journey towards spiritual understanding and adherence to Jain principles.

The story begins with Kamalsen's parents, Shreepat Seth and Sundari, visiting Acharya Shilandharsuri. The Acharya advises them to take vows like reciting the Namaskar Mahamantra, delaying their first meal of the day (Navkashi), and performing daily Samayika (48 minutes of meditation). While the parents adopt these practices, Kamalsen remains indifferent and does not follow them.

Distressed by their son's lack of devotion and spiritual interest, Kamalsen's parents seek the Acharya's guidance. They wish for their son to find happiness in this life and secure a good future birth. The Acharya agrees to help.

Kamalsen's father then tries to persuade him by highlighting the wisdom and valuable teachings of a visiting great Guru. The next day, they attend the Guru's sermon. However, instead of engaging with the spiritual discourse on heaven, hell, compassion, suffering, and Kevalgyan (omniscience), Kamalsen is preoccupied with observing how the Acharya's neck moves while he speaks. His parents are disappointed by his lack of interest.

Later, another great saint, Acharya Gunasagarsuri, arrives in the city. Kamalsen and his parents again attend the sermon. This time, the Acharya captivates the audience with stories touching upon bravery, humor, sorrow, and family, interwoven with religious messages. Kamalsen finds these narratives engaging and begins attending the sermons regularly and with interest.

As the Acharya prepares to leave the city, Kamalsen joins the other disciples to bid him farewell. Many are taking vows from the Acharya. When asked to take a vow, Kamalsen makes some seemingly trivial promises: not to lie except during the day or night, not to eat a whole watermelon, and not to eat cow dung. The Acharya, finding these vows meaningless, suggests he take a more meaningful one.

Kamalsen then makes a peculiar vow: he will not eat his meal without first seeing Seemla, the village potter, who is bald. Despite the oddity of the vow, the Acharya is pleased.

One day, while Kamalsen is about to eat with his mother, she reminds him of his vow. Kamalsen immediately goes to find Seemla in the forest. He discovers Seemla digging the ground and unearthing a pot filled with precious gems and diamonds. As Kamalsen approaches, Seemla tries to hide the pot with soil. Kamalsen, seeing this, exclaims loudly, "I have seen you" (referring to seeing the bald potter, as per his vow).

Seemla, mistakenly believing Kamalsen has seen the pot of jewels, becomes anxious about sharing the treasure. He makes a deal with Kamalsen, asking him not to reveal anything about the pot and offering to share half the contents. Kamalsen, initially confused, soon understands the situation. He accepts half the treasure and returns home.

Reflecting on his experience, Kamalsen realizes that even a simple, almost jokingly made vow brought him such great wealth. He concludes that if he had taken a vow with sincerity and purpose, the rewards would have been far greater. This realization profoundly changes Kamalsen's outlook on life. He begins taking many vows and finds immense happiness and fulfillment.

The text concludes with a message emphasizing that making a vow requires true devotion and adherence, consistent with Jain philosophy. It highlights the necessity of a willingness to renounce and clarifies that vows for actions contrary to religious principles are meaningless. The ultimate benefit of taking and diligently following vows accrues to the soul, potentially in this life or future lives, and such commitments shape one's present existence.