Mahavir No Mangal Varso - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Mahavir no Mangal Varso" by Sukhlal Sanghavi, based on the provided pages:

The text, likely an essay or chapter from "Darshan ane Chintan Part 2," discusses the concept of a "auspicious heritage" (Mangal Varso) bestowed by Lord Mahavir, distinguishing it from more conventional forms of inheritance. The author argues that this auspicious heritage is not tangible, nor is it limited by time, place, or lineage, but rather it is a spiritual legacy that can be accessed by anyone with refined perception.

Four Types of Heritage:

The author begins by categorizing heritage into three primary types, all of which are perceptible by the gross senses:

Physical Heritage: Traits passed down from parents and elders, such as physical form and characteristics.
Material Heritage: Wealth and possessions inherited from parents or others, either before or after birth. The author notes a significant difference here, as physical traits are inevitable, while material wealth can be lost or acquired anew.
Cultural Heritage (Sanskar): This encompasses values, language, knowledge, and upbringing received from parents, teachers, friends, and society. This heritage is not monolithic and takes many forms.

While these three are useful for ordinary living, the author asserts that they lack the spark of life or the "Sanjivani" (life-giving elixir) that makes life truly meaningful and elevated. This is where the fourth, auspicious heritage, comes in.

The Fourth, Auspicious Heritage:

This fourth heritage is unique because:

It is not necessarily inherited from parents, elders, or society. It originates from a different stream of consciousness.
It is imperceptible by gross senses. Only those with "Prajna-Indriya" (the eye of wisdom) and highly subtle perception can understand or receive it.
It is imperishable. Unlike the other three, which fade during life or upon death, this auspicious heritage, once entered into consciousness, continues through births and deaths, developing and spreading its influence.
It is inherent in the Indian tradition. The author suggests that those born in India are, knowingly or unknowingly, touched by the currents of this auspicious heritage, which aligns with India's recognition as a land of spirituality by figures like Sri Aurobindo and S. Radhakrishnan.

Lord Mahavir and the Auspicious Heritage:

The text emphasizes that the "Lord Mahavir" being discussed is not solely the historical figure or the physical being, but rather Mahavir as pure, desireless consciousness – the Great Hero. This concept encompasses Siddhartha (Mahavir's pre-ascetic name) and all other enlightened beings. This "Mahavir" transcends caste, creed, time, and place, existing as a singular, detached entity (Vitrag).

The Four Pillars of Mahavir's Auspicious Heritage:

Lord Mahavir didn't just keep this auspicious heritage in his thoughts; he lived it, matured it, and then presented it as a practical guide for conduct. This heritage can be broadly divided into four aspects:

Vision of Life (Jivan Drishti): This is about how one values life. While we typically value our own lives, family, community, or nation, Mahavir's vision extended further, perceiving life-force even in seemingly inanimate objects like water and plants. He saw the inherent desire for happiness and avoidance of suffering in all beings, from humans to insects and plants. This led to his concept of "Atmaupajya" (self-comparison/empathy) – recognizing oneself in all living beings, acknowledging that all souls are fundamentally the same, though their forms and capacities may differ due to evolutionary cycles.
Purity of Life (Jivan Shuddhi): Stemming from the vision of life, this aspect addresses the inherent purity of consciousness. Even if consciousness is veiled by ignorance, its potential for perfect development and luminosity remains. True spiritual experience across traditions confirms that consciousness is fundamentally pure, separate from desires and karmic imprints. This purity is the goal of spiritual practice. The author links this to monistic (Advaita) philosophies like Brahmanism.
Transformation of Conduct (Rehni-karni nu Parivartan): The text argues that achieving the aforementioned vision and purity requires a change in conduct. In Jain terminology, this is called "Charan-karan" – living a simple, straightforward, and honest life. Practical conduct serves as a tool to cultivate the vision of self-comparison and soul purity, not as a veil or illusion. It's about using material means without losing oneself.
Effort (Purusharth): The crucial question arises: how to achieve this in a world that doesn't seem to follow these principles? Mahavir's answer lies in self-effort. No one can be forcefully uplifted against the flow of worldly currents. One must actively strive against the pressure of desires, exhibiting courage and unwavering determination to achieve the preceding two aspects. The term "Mahavir" itself signifies this great heroism or valor.

Connections to Other Traditions:

The author draws parallels between Mahavir's teachings and other spiritual traditions:

Upanishads: The Ishavasya Upanishad's emphasis on pervading the world with God (Ish), and the principle of renouncing to enjoy, are seen as similar to Mahavir's message. The text suggests that in renunciation, one finds the true joy of "bhoga" (enjoyment), and that attachment or possession should only be for worldly transactions. The concept of "Bhuma" (the unlimited) in the Upanishads is equated with Mahavir.
Buddhism: The Buddhist concept of "Mangal" (auspiciousness) is cited as aligning with Mahavir's auspicious heritage.
Gandhiji: The author notes that Mahatma Gandhi embodied and developed this auspicious heritage.

The Heritage as a Continuum:

The text concludes by addressing the historical lineage of Mahavir's heritage. While it's often attributed to previous Tirthankaras, the author sees this as an incomplete view. Instead, Mahavir's spiritual wealth is a culmination of the cumulative spiritual efforts of all great souls throughout unknown past epochs. This heritage is not a static inheritance but a dynamic source that flows through individuals, enriching and developing over time. Just as a single drop (bindu) can contain the vast ocean (sindhu), Mahavir's existence is a point in time that encompasses the vast ocean of past spiritual traditions, and it continues to hold the infinite ocean of future possibilities. The phrase "Tat Tvam Asi" (You are That) from the Upanishads is also presented as an example of the "drop containing the ocean" concept, signifying the inherent potential for purity within the individual.

Conclusion:

The essay encourages readers to separate with a similar auspicious spirit, aspiring to become worthy recipients of this profound spiritual heritage that transcends the material and the temporal, offering a path to true fulfillment and immortality.