Mahasati Sur Sundari

This is a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Mahasati Sur Sundari," authored by Munishri Gyansundarji and published by Shree Ratnaprabhakar Gyan Pushpmala. The book is part of a Jain story collection aimed at providing moral and ethical guidance through engaging narratives.

The text emphasizes the importance of Jain narratives, particularly the "Dharmakathanuyoga," which contains countless stories covering politics, ethics, good conduct, household management, monastic discipline, charity, penance, forgiveness, compassion, celibacy, meditation, effort, courage, and trials of fate. These stories are presented as a means to guide living beings away from wrongdoing and towards the righteous path. Recognizing that traditional Jain literature is often in Sanskrit or Prakrit, and in verse, this work aims to present these valuable narratives in a simple, modern language to reach a wider audience.

The Story of Mahasati Sur Sundari:

The story of Mahasati Sur Sundari is presented as the first narrative in the collection. It aims to illustrate the impermanence of the world, the fickleness of wealth, patience in times of crisis, and the achievement of goals through effort.

Setting the Scene:

The text begins by describing the Jain cosmological structure: the universe, divided into the Upper, Middle (Tiryak), and Lower worlds. It details the dimensions of the Earth (Jambudvipa) and its division into geographical regions, including Bharat Kshetra, where the story is set. Bharat Kshetra is further divided into Uttar Bharat and Dakshin Bharat, with geographical features like the Vaitadhya mountain and rivers like Ganga and Sindhu. The narrative specifically takes place in Anga Desh within the central part of Dakshin Bharat.

Champa City and its Prosperous Inhabitants:

The narrative vividly describes the Anga Desh as a land of beautiful forests, abundant fruits, tall mountains, fast-flowing rivers, and rich agriculture, leading to a prosperous and joyful population. The main city is named Champa, known for its well-organized marketplaces, strong fortifications, and numerous temples. The city's inhabitants are depicted as virtuous, knowledgeable, just, religious, skillful in their endeavors, patriotic, and devoted to their gods, gurus, and dharma. They are described as being upright in their dealings, abstaining from taking what is not theirs, and being metaphorically blind to the faults of others. Punishments are rare and primarily administered through symbolic means, such as binding hair, rather than to citizens directly, highlighting the just rule of the king and the loyalty of the subjects. The city is further adorned with charitable institutions, schools, shelters for the needy, vocational centers, and resting places for travelers.

The city boasts beautiful lakes, ponds, wells, and gardens filled with diverse trees and flowering plants, creating a fragrant and pleasant environment that delights both humans and animals.

The King, Queen, and Prominent Citizens:

The ruler of Champa is King Jayashatru, described as valiant, just, patient, generous, and renowned for his righteousness and ability to bring happiness and fearlessness to his subjects. His queen is Rambha, who is beautiful, virtuous, adept in household affairs, and a devoted wife. The chief minister is Mativriddhan, known for his intelligence, diplomacy, and love for his country. The city is also home to wealthy and charitable merchants, including Seth Dhanadatta, who is highly respected by the king and in trade circles.

Seth Dhanadatta's Family and Wealth:

Seth Dhanadatta is portrayed as a man of great virtue, known for his generosity and unwavering commitment to his principles. He is married to Yashomati, who is described as a wise friend, a caring mother, a loving wife, a skillful healer, and a generous individual, embodying many feminine virtues. Seth Dhanadatta's business prospers across various regions, and he possesses immense wealth, stated to be ninety-six crore (crore) units of gold. The couple is blessed with four sons: Mahipal, Raypal, Tejpal, and Surpati. These sons are educated, intelligent, obedient, and skilled in business. They are married to four daughters of noble families: Manashri, Ratnashri, Tejashri, and Sur Sundari (who is married to Surpati). The wealth of the family is further augmented by significant dowries given during these marriages, accumulating to one hundred and thirty-five crore units of gold. The family lives a life of great happiness and prosperity, resembling divine beings.

The Onset of Adversity:

The narrative then shifts to emphasize the impermanence of worldly fortune. Just as the sun rises, reaches its zenith, and sets, and the full moon wanes, happiness is followed by sorrow, and vice versa. The text attributes all worldly experiences of pleasure and pain to the karma accumulated by individuals. It urges listeners to cultivate feelings of friendliness towards all beings and to act for the welfare of others to achieve true happiness. It warns against enmity, slander, and jealousy, as these can lead to unforeseen suffering due to the ripening of karma.

The Divine Warning:

One night, while Seth Dhanadatta is resting in his opulent palace, his Kuldevi (family goddess) appears to him. She informs him that due to the ripening of certain negative karmas from his past lives, he is about to face severe misfortune. Despite her efforts, she cannot protect him from these karmas. This revelation deeply shakes Seth Dhanadatta, plunging him into despair and making him faint. The goddess advises him to remain courageous, as even great souls have had to face the consequences of their karma.

Seeking Counsel from the Family:

Upon recovering, Seth Dhanadatta confides in his wife, Yashomati, who is equally distressed. They decide to consult their four sons and their wives. The sons, being young and enjoying their prosperity, propose to indulge in their current happiness and face hardship in old age. However, Sur Sundari, the wife of Surpati, wisely advises that it is better to endure hardship in their youth, when they have the strength to cope, rather than in old age when they will be frail and already facing difficulties. Her counsel prevails, and they decide to face the impending suffering in their youth.

The Sudden Fall from Grace:

The next morning, the family's fortune collapses rapidly. Seth Dhanadatta's sons are apprehended for alleged tax evasion when a merchant is caught with stolen revenue and they are mistakenly identified as his accomplices. Their property is confiscated, and the family is expelled from their home. News arrives that their businesses in other cities have been plundered by their managers, and their ships at sea have sunk. Within a few hours, their immense wealth of one hundred and thirty-five crore units of gold is lost.

The Journey of Hardship:

The family, now destitute, embarks on a difficult journey, facing hunger, thirst, and physical exhaustion. Sur Sundari, despite her own suffering and the rough terrain, continuously offers encouragement and solace to her family, reminding them of the resilience of figures like Lord Rama and King Harishchandra in enduring their own adversities.

Testing Virtues and Character:

The narrative highlights various tests of character and virtue:

• Resourcefulness of Sur Sundari: Sur Sundari, possessing valuable jewels from her parental home, strategically sells one to provide for the immediate needs of the family and secure lodging. Her wisdom and foresight are repeatedly emphasized.
• Deception and Greed: The story illustrates the greed of a jeweler who, upon seeing the precious gems, deceives Seth Dhanadatta's sons and the family, taking their jewels for a pittance or on false pretenses.
• The Role of Fate and Karma: The text repeatedly emphasizes that these misfortunes are the result of past karma, and that even those with immense wealth can be brought to ruin.
• The Importance of Faith and Perseverance: Despite extreme hardship, Sur Sundari maintains her faith and inspires her family to persevere.
• The Trickery of the Barber: A barber, driven by greed, attempts to expose Sur Sundari and her sisters-in-law as women disguised as men to the king, who is seeking a suitable marriage for his daughter. Through clever manipulation and strategic planning, Sur Sundari manages to prove their identities and even arranges for her sister-in-law, Ratnasundari, to marry the king's son, Surpati.
• Tests of True Identity: The king devises several tests to ascertain the true gender of Sur Sundari and her companions. These tests, involving eating habits and preferences for objects, are cleverly navigated by Sur Sundari and her sisters-in-law, demonstrating their intelligence and adherence to their true nature.
• The Barber's Punishment: The barber's persistent attempts to deceive the king lead to his eventual imprisonment.
• The King's Daughter and Sur Sundari: The king, impressed by Sur Sundari's wisdom and her companions' resilience, arranges the marriage of his daughter, Ratnasundari, to Surpati. However, a spiritual aspect is introduced when it's revealed that the king's son, Surpati, is a disguise for Sur Sundari. The family's reunion and reconciliation with King Jayashatru highlight the unfolding of divine justice and the triumph of virtue.

The Moral Lessons and Teachings:

The narrative culminates with the family's reunion with their relatives and their return to Champa, where their wealth and status are restored. Seth Dhanadatta seeks guidance from Acharya Suryagani, who explains the karmic reasons behind their suffering, tracing it back to a past life where Seth Dhanadatta (as Jinadas) had wronged a fellow merchant (Rishabhdas) by not returning his deposited jewels. The story serves as a powerful lesson on the consequences of greed, deceit, and the importance of ethical conduct and compassion.

The book concludes with the family embracing Jain principles, with Seth Dhanadatta and his wife taking initiation and the sons and daughters-in-law becoming lay followers. Sur Sundari, as a single-birth soul destined for liberation, plays a pivotal role in guiding her family through their trials. The text emphasizes the teachings of Jainism, including the path to liberation through devotion, charity, penance, and the cultivation of virtues like patience, forgiveness, and knowledge. It also includes various ethical verses and proverbs (Doha) that offer practical wisdom for daily life.

In essence, "Mahasati Sur Sundari" is a compelling Jain narrative that underscores the principles of karma, the impermanence of wealth, the importance of virtuous conduct, and the ultimate triumph of righteousness through faith, effort, and wisdom. It aims to inspire readers to live a life guided by Jain teachings and to seek spiritual liberation.