King Shripal And Mayana Sundari

Here is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "King Shripal and Mayana Sundari":

The story begins in Champä-nagar, where King Singhrath ruled. Upon his death when his son Shripäl was five, the king's ambitious brother, Ajitsen, seized the throne and plotted to eliminate Shripäl. Shripäl's mother, Kamal-prabhä, fled with her son. Cornered by Ajitsen's soldiers, she desperately entrusted Shripäl to a group of lepers for safety, despite their warning about the disease.

Shripäl, a handsome and bold youth, grew up in the leper colony and eventually contracted leprosy himself. The lepers loved him, and when he became a young man, he was made their leader, known as Umar Ränä. The group traveled, eventually arriving in Ujjayini, the capital of Mälwä.

In Ujjayini, King Prajäpäl and Queen Rupsundari had two intelligent and beautiful daughters, Sursundari and Mayanä-sundari. During a test of their knowledge, the king asked Sursundari who was responsible for her skills and prosperity. She humbly attributed it to her father's favor. However, when asked the same question, Mayanä-sundari, grounded in her Jain studies, stated that all her comforts were a result of her own Punya (meritorious) Karma. She explained that destiny and happiness are determined by one's past actions, not by others' generosity.

The king, angered by Mayanä's assertion and disbelief in his own influence, decided to teach her a lesson. He had the ugliest man in Ujjayini, Umar Ränä (Shripäl in disguise), brought to the court, and in utter disdain, married Mayanä to him. He provided them with minimal necessities and told Mayanä to face the consequences of her "Karma." While Mayanä's mother was unhappy, she couldn't defy the king. Sursundari, however, was married to Prince Aridaman, as a reward for her more compliant answers.

Mayanä-sundari, deeply religious, accepted Shripäl (as Umar) as her husband and lovingly cared for him. They sought guidance from Jain Acharya Munichandra about Shripäl's leprosy. The Acharya advised them to undertake the "Äyambil Oli," a penance related to the nine pious entities (Navapad), which could cure diseases. This involved a rigorous ritual of meditation and consuming a single, plain meal daily for nine days, performed twice a year for four and a half years.

Devoutly observing the Navapad worship and penance, Mayanä and Shripäl witnessed a miraculous transformation: Shripäl's leprosy began to fade, and he was completely cured, regaining his handsome appearance. Mayanä attributed this to her devotion and the penance.

Later, Queen Rupsundari encountered Mayanä at a temple and was astonished to see her with a handsome man instead of the leper she had married. Mayanä explained the entire story, convincing her mother and the king of the truth of Karma. The king, who had secretly regretted his actions, was relieved and invited his daughter and son-in-law to live in the palace. Shripäl's true identity was revealed, and his mother also arrived to live with them.

Shripäl, feeling his identity was defined by his father-in-law's status, sought permission to make his own mark. He embarked on a journey, facing adversities and accumulating wealth, followers, and marital alliances. He returned to Ujjayini with a formidable army, impressing King Prajapal. After a hero's welcome, he returned to Champä-nagar to reclaim his kingdom from Ajitsen. Despite a fierce battle, Shripäl defeated and captured Ajitsen, whom he then magnanimously released. Ajitsen, recognizing his defeat, renounced worldly life. Shripäl then reigned happily as the King of Champä-nagar.

The story concludes by emphasizing Mayanä-sundari's unwavering faith in the philosophy of Karma and her devotion to Navapad. It highlights their combined efforts, prayer, and determination to overcome adversity. They understood that while Karma shaped their circumstances, their future could be altered through focused effort, good deeds, and the destruction of negative karmas. The narrative underscores the importance of inner contentment and the belief that happiness is a state of mind achievable through a strong faith in Karma.