Maharaj Vikram

This document is a collection of pages from a Jain book titled "Maharaj Vikram," published by Nemi Amrut Khanti Niranjan Granthmala. It appears to be a translation or adaptation of a Sanskrit work about the life and deeds of King Vikramaditya, presented in simple Gujarati with many illustrations.

Here's a breakdown of the content:

Key Information about the Book:

• Title: Maharaj Vikram (महाराजा विक्रम)
• Authors: Shubhshil Gani (initiator/original author), Niranjan Vijay (Hindi language organizer/translator)
• Publisher: Nemi Amrut Khanti Niranjan Granthmala (श्री नेमि-अमृत-खान्ति-निरंजन-ग्रन्थमाला)
• Catalog Link: https://jainqq.org/explore/004265/1
• Price: Approximately 3-5 Rupees (with additional postal charges).
• Pages: Around 32+32 pages for the main book.
• Illustrations: Features around 90 beautiful pictures.
• Language: Simple Gujarati.
• Availability: Mention of obtaining both bound copies and loose pages, and also a Sanskrit version of "Gautam Puchha" is available.

Content Highlights and Themes:

1. King Vikramaditya's Life and Teachings: The book is a narrative of King Vikramaditya's life, focusing on his wisdom, courage, and righteousness. It aims to solve life's problems and make individuals cultured and spiritually inclined.
2. Jain Religious Principles: The text explains the essence of Jainism in a simple language.
3. Questions and Answers with Lord Mahavir and Gautam Swami: A significant portion of the book seems to be based on the question-and-answer format between Lord Mahavir Swami and his chief disciple, Gautam Swami. It addresses 48 questions, including:
   • When does a soul attain liberation (moksha)?
   • When does it go to heaven?
   • Under what circumstances does one become a human, a woman, an animal/bird, or go to hell?
   • Reasons for physical afflictions like blindness, deafness, lameness, etc.
   • Reasons for becoming wealthy or poor, beautiful or ugly, liked or disliked.
4. Moral and Ethical Teachings: The book emphasizes principles of dharma, karma, and righteous living, presented through inspiring stories and exemplary characters.
5. Inspirational and Educational Value: It's described as suitable for reading in 'Sāmayik' (a Jain practice of contemplation), a substitute for discourses, and enjoyable to hear when read aloud to others.
6. Literary Style: The translation by Muni Niranjanvijayji is praised for its simplicity and emotional depth, making the stories accessible to all ages.
7. Spiritual Upliftment: The ultimate goal is to guide individuals towards spiritual upliftment and self-improvement.
8. Historical Context: It refers to King Vikramaditya's era as a golden age of Indian history, suggesting the book aims to inspire readers to achieve greatness.
9. List of Other Publications: Page 4 lists other books published by the same organization, focusing on various Jain festivals, saints, and moral stories, all with simple language and illustrations.
10. Praise and Foreword: Pages 7-8 contain a foreword by Shrikant Banoria, who highlights the need for inspirational figures like Vikramaditya in the current era and praises the translator's effort, even if the language isn't peak modern Hindi. He encourages readers to focus on the virtuous character elements.
11. Detailed Chapter Summaries: A substantial portion of the provided text consists of detailed summaries of each chapter (सर्ग) and section (प्रकरण) of the "Vikram Charitra," outlining the plot points and key events. These summaries are very extensive and cover numerous episodes from Vikramaditya's life, including his interactions with various characters, his exploits, his family life, and his encounters with supernatural beings and spiritual figures.

In essence, "Maharaj Vikram" is presented as a valuable Jain scripture that combines historical narrative, religious teachings, and moral lessons in an engaging and accessible format for a wide audience.