Kshama Rushi

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Kshama Rishi," by Lalitvijay, published by Atmtilak Granth Society:

Overall Theme:

The book, "Kshama Rishi," is a hagiographical account of the life of a Jain monk named Kshama Rishi (also referred to as Kshama Muni). It details his spiritual journey, his adherence to vows and austerities, and his profound embodiment of the Jain principle of Kshama (forgiveness). The narrative emphasizes the importance of renunciation, self-discipline, and the transformative power of spiritual guidance.

Key Sections and Their Summaries:

• Introduction/Preface (Pages 1-3):

  • The book is published by the Shri Atmtilak Granth Society.
  • It is dedicated to the spiritual lineage of Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri.
  • The author is Pandit Shri Lalit Vijayji Maharaj, a disciple of Shri Vallabhvijayji Maharaj.
  • The publication was aided by the financial support of Shri Sadubhai Talakchand and Shri Sardarmal Harshchandji.
  • The initial printing was 1000 copies, released in Veer Nirvana Samvat 2447 and Vikram Samvat 1977.

• Chapter 1: Vairagya Prapti (Attainment of Renunciation) (Pages 4-11):

  • The narrative begins by highlighting the significance of great souls whose lives, even if their physical bodies are no more, continue to inspire through their virtuous deeds and fame.
  • The story then focuses on Boha, a poor but virtuous man from Badgam, near Chittor. Boha was a merchant dealing in ghee and oil.
  • Boha experiences two significant misfortunes:
    • He slips and loses five rupees worth of ghee.
    • Later, after receiving five rupees from kind people to restart his business, he slips again, and the new ghee is lost.
  • Instead of succumbing to despair, Boha finds solace in the Jain principle that one's actions (karma) are responsible for the consequences, and external factors are merely catalysts. This realization leads to a growing detachment from worldly desires and a longing for spiritual truth.
  • He embarks on a fervent prayer to the divine, seeking strength, wisdom, selfless love, and the ability to serve the world. He expresses a deep desire for detachment from material wealth and a strong will to overcome sensual desires.
  • This intense spiritual yearning leads Boha to renounce his worldly life and seek a spiritual guide. He hears of the immense fame of Acharya Shri Yashobhadra Suriji.
  • Boha approaches Acharya Yashobhadra Suriji, who accepts him as a disciple. Boha diligently dedicates himself to the path of righteousness and character development, preparing himself for the rigorous vows of a monk.

• Chapter 2: Ashatana ka Phal (Consequences of Disrespect/Mistreatment) (Pages 12-26):

  • Upon initiation, Boha, now a monk, is guided by his guru in developing the four cardinal virtues of maitri (friendship), pramod (joy in others' virtues), karunya (compassion), and madhyastha (neutrality). He learns the five great vows (mahavratas) and the eight principles of right conduct (pravachan matara).
  • Kshama Muni (formerly Boha) expresses a desire to his Guru to undertake challenging austerities and spiritual practices in a secluded place to accelerate his spiritual progress and annihilate karmic impurities.
  • The Guru permits him to go to Avantika (Ujjain).
  • While meditating by a pond outside Dhamamau village, Muni Kshama is subjected to severe mockery and physical abuse by a group of arrogant young Brahmins.
  • Despite the harsh treatment, Muni Kshama remains steadfast in his forgiveness and cultivates positive thoughts, further strengthening his resolve.
  • The presiding deity of the pond becomes enraged by the injustice and punishes the Brahmins, binding them and causing them immense pain.
  • Their parents arrive, witnessing their children's suffering and appealing to various deities for help. They realize their children must have harassed the ascetic.
  • The parents and relatives beg for the Muni's forgiveness.
  • The deity, speaking through one of the possessed youths, explains that the Brahmins' transgression against the ascetic, who is a benefactor of the world, led to their suffering. The deity emphasizes that disrespecting virtuous beings leads to negative consequences.
  • The deity also highlights the importance of adhering to dharma, stating that dharma protects those who protect it. The text then emphasizes that true dharma lies in serving and respecting ascetics.
  • A story of Guha, a boatman who ferried Lord Rama, is recounted to illustrate the principle of reciprocal service and the humility expected from those who receive spiritual guidance. The boatman, recognizing his shared profession with Lord Rama (both ferry people), requests that if Rama ever needs his service again, he should be helped without payment.
  • The narrative contrasts the understanding of the boatman with the ignorance of the Brahmins who attacked the Muni. The text strongly condemns their actions and calls for them to drink the Muni's foot-water for purification.
  • The Brahmins, their parents, and relatives realize their error, drink the water from the Muni's feet, and are freed from their suffering. They resolve to venerate ascetics thereafter.
  • The Muni's mental state remains unaffected by either the deity's intervention or the Brahmins' mistreatment, demonstrating his equanimity.
  • The offered wealth by the Muni's grateful followers is used for the renovation of temples.
  • The text clarifies that the Muni earned the name "Kshama Rishi" (Hermit of Forgiveness) due to his patient endurance of this specific ordeal.

• Chapter 3: Ghor Abigraha Kshama Paravar (The Ocean of Forgiveness and Strict Vows) (Pages 27-39):

  • Kshama Rishi moves to a cave in a desolate forest and undertakes extremely difficult vows (abigrahas).
  • First Abigraha: He vows to accept food only if offered by "Krishna," a government official in Dhara, who is bathing, has his hair unbound, and is experiencing some sorrow. This vow is fulfilled after three months and eight days when Krishna, who had fallen out of favor with the king and was at a halwai's shop, coincidentally met the conditions and offered the Muni twenty-one mundas (likely a type of food offering). This event greatly impressed Krishna, who later followed the Muni and, after receiving spiritual advice, embraced monkhood himself and attained heavenly bliss.
  • Second Abigraha: He vows to accept food only if Sindhul Raja's intoxicated elephant, breaking free from its restraints and ignoring its mahouts, offers him five laddus with its trunk. This vow is fulfilled after five months and eleven days. The elephant, calmed by the Muni's mere presence, picked up laddus from a shop and offered them. This miraculous event strengthened people's faith in Jainism.
  • Third Abigraha: He vows to accept food only if a Brahmin woman, after an argument with her mother-in-law, who lives two villages away, offers him poornapoli (a sweet bread). This vow is fulfilled when a kind old Brahmin, finding the distressed woman, gives her some poornapoli. The woman, with a pure heart, decides to offer it to an ascetic, believing it will yield great merit. She sees Muni Kshama on his way for his parana (breaking the fast) and offers him the poornapoli, which perfectly matches the conditions of his vow. This act brings her great honor and respect within her family.
  • Fourth Abigraha: He vows to accept food only if a bull with a black belly, white nose, and a tail at its waist, offers him jaggery with its horns. This vow is fulfilled when a rampaging bull, calmed by the Muni's presence, picks up jaggery from a shop and offers it to him. The shopkeeper, inspired by this miracle, uses his earnings to build a temple and install a statue of Lord Parshvanath, later becoming a disciple of Yashobhadra Suri.
  • The chapter reinforces the principle that "What is not achieved through austerity, what is attainable, what is worthy of worship, and what is rare – all can be achieved through austerity." It also emphasizes the importance of the Guru's guidance and the folly of clinging to the perishable body.

• Chapter 4: Muniki Udarata (The Muni's Generosity/Magnanimity) (Pages 40-48):

  • The text recounts an instance where a thousand elephants of Sindhul Raja fall ill. After all other remedies fail, an Akashvani (celestial announcement) reveals that the elephants can be cured by sprinkling the foot-water of Kshama Rishi, who is meditating on Kambalgiri mountain.
  • The King sends his minister to obtain the water. A tapas (ascetic) tries to interfere, claiming he will save one elephant and the rest will die, but his efforts fail. The Muni's foot-water cures the remaining elephants.
  • The King offers half his kingdom to the Muni, but Kshama Rishi, having renounced the world, rejects the offer, stating that his spiritual kingdom is far greater.
  • The King, deeply impressed, builds a Jain temple and places the Muni's sandals there for worship.
  • The text then describes an incident where Kshama Rishi brings a dead boy back to life by sprinkling him with water consecrated with the Jain mantra, "Namo Arihantanam." This miracle reinforces the power of the Jain faith.
  • The boy's father, a wealthy merchant, accepts the twelve vows of Jainism.
  • Kshama Rishi, attributing these miracles to his Guru's grace, resolves to dedicate his remaining life to serving his spiritual preceptor.
  • The chapter highlights the profound efficacy of the Guru's teachings and the unwavering commitment of the disciple to their spiritual master.

• Concluding Remarks/List of Books (Page 48):

  • The book concludes with a mention of other affordable books published by Shri Atmtilak Granth Society, including titles related to Jain philosophy and ethics.

Key Jain Principles Embodied:

• Kshama (Forgiveness): The central theme, exemplified by the Muni's unwavering composure and positive thoughts even when subjected to physical abuse.
• Ahimsa (Non-violence): Implied through the Muni's asceticism and his commitment to the path of spiritual purity.
• Tapas (Austerity): The book extensively details Muni Kshama's rigorous vows and fasts to purify his soul and overcome karmic bonds.
• Vairagya (Renunciation): The story of Boha's transformation illustrates the powerful pull of renunciation when faced with the impermanence and suffering of the material world.
• Guru-Shishya Parampara (Guru-Disciple Tradition): The narrative underscores the crucial role of a spiritual preceptor in guiding a disciple towards liberation.
• Karma Siddhanta (Law of Karma): The text consistently refers to the principle that actions have consequences, and one's suffering or happiness is a result of their own karma.
• Equanimity (Sama): The Muni's ability to remain unaffected by both suffering and praise demonstrates a high level of mental equanimity.

In essence, "Kshama Rishi" is a devotional and instructional text that aims to inspire readers with the exemplary life of a Jain monk, showcasing the power of forgiveness, austerity, devotion to a Guru, and unwavering adherence to Jain principles in achieving spiritual liberation.