Manussam Khu Saddulla Ham - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the provided Jain text, "Manussam khu Saddulla Ham" by Acharya Shri Chandanmuni:

The book, titled "Manussam khu Saddulla Ham" (Humanity is indeed Difficult to Attain), authored by Acharya Shri Chandanmuni, emphasizes the profound importance of genuine humanity. The author posits that while faith in religion is a personal matter, belief in humanity is universal. To be truly human, individuals must cultivate certain practical virtues that eradicate their base or animalistic tendencies and foster a noble spirit.

The text highlights that Lord Mahavir identified four key reasons for attaining human existence. These are:

Prakruti Bhadra (Natural Goodness/Simplicity): This refers to being inherently good and simple. Such individuals are naturally liked by others. True goodness is unpretentious, devoid of artifice or hidden intentions. Those who are outwardly simple and inwardly pure are considered religious, even without external religious practices. The author illustrates this with an anecdote about the natural beauty of undeveloped hills, which possess an inherent attraction due to their unadorned, natural state. This simplicity, untouched by dry logic, is the first essential virtue for humanity.
Prakruti Vineeta (Natural Humility/Modesty): Humility makes a person universally loved and respected. It is a virtue that costs nothing but yields much. The Jain scriptures proclaim, "Vinay Sasane Mulam" (Humility is the root of the doctrine), emphasizing its immense value. The text then narrates the story of Yav Rajarshi as a prime example of humility.
- Yav Rajarshi, after renouncing his kingdom, lived as a monk. Despite his devotion, he harbored a misconception that his age prevented him from acquiring knowledge, believing devotion alone was sufficient for spiritual liberation. His Guru urged him to study, but he demurred.
- One day, the Guru sent him to his former capital, Yavpur, to impart religious discourse. Initially hesitant, Yav Rajarshi set out. On his journey, he encountered a farmer guarding a barley field. The farmer uttered a verse to a donkey attempting to eat the barley: "Ohaavasi pahavasi, mama cheva nirakkhasi. Lakhkhiyo te abhiprayo, javam pechasi gaddaha." (You run here and there, you watch me. I have understood your intention, you want to eat the barley, donkey.) Yav Rajarshi memorized this verse, thinking it could be useful for the beginning of a discourse.
- Further along, he witnessed children playing Gilli-Danda. When the Gilli fell into a hidden pit, a wise child recited: "Iyo gaya, tayo gaya, yojijjati na disai. Tumhe na ditttha amhe na ditttha, agade chhuta anulliya." (It went here, it went there, searched for but not seen. You didn't see it, we didn't see it, it seems to have fallen into the pit, Anulliya). Yav Rajarshi memorized this second verse.
- Reaching Yavpur, he stayed near a potter's house. Observing mice, the potter sang: "Sukumalay-bhadralaya, ratim hindansilaya. Mama samasao natthi bhayam, dihapitthao te bhayam." (O delicate and good one, you wander at night. You have no fear from me, but you have fear from Dihapittha.) The potter meant the snake, but the verse also symbolized the king's uncle, Dihapittha. Yav Rajarshi learned this third verse.
- Meanwhile, the king's minister, Dirghaprishtha, fearing Yav Rajarshi might reveal his plot to abduct the king's sister, Anolika, spread a rumor that the king's father (Yav Rajarshi) was intending to reclaim the throne. The king, Gardhabhilla, went to meet his father.
- Hearing the first verse sung by Yav Rajarshi, King Gardhabhilla realized it applied to him, watching his father with a hidden intention. He thought his father possessed inner knowledge. He then wished to test him further by asking about his lost sister.
- Yav Rajarshi then recited the second verse, implying Anolika was hidden in a pit or underground. Finally, he recited the third verse, indicating that while the king had nothing to fear from him, he should fear Dirghaprishtha.
- Upon hearing this, the king returned to his palace. An investigation revealed that his sister Anolika had been hidden by Minister Dirghaprishtha. The minister was punished, and Anolika was rescued.
- The king and his family, realizing the power of knowledge gained through study and the wisdom of his father, humbly welcomed Yav Rajarshi back to the city. Yav Rajarshi understood the profound impact of knowledge and dedicated himself to study and inner penance, recognizing the value of his Guru's teachings. The story emphasizes how humility and the pursuit of knowledge can overcome deceit and bring about righteous outcomes.
Sanukroshata (Compassion/Kindness): This is the quality of having a compassionate heart that feels for the suffering of others. A person without compassion is described as heartless, with a heart like stone. Even those who don't adhere to any specific religion must possess gentleness and empathy. Compassion is the foundation of the world, and without it, chaos would ensue. Ahimsa (non-violence) is praised with many names, including compassion, which is called the mother of the universe.
Amatsaryata (Absence of Envy/Malice): Envy is a great vice that fosters jealousy, malice, and hatred. It causes a person to burn with resentment when seeing others' virtues. Acharya Hemachandra defines an envious person as "dvi-jihvo matsari khala" (a two-tongued, envious rogue), comparing them to a venomous snake. The text advises against envy and against speaking ill of others, urging a focus on positive qualities.

The book concludes by stating that these four virtues—natural goodness, natural humility, compassion, and absence of envy—are extremely important. By embodying these principles, as taught by Lord Mahavir, individuals can truly become human and pave the way for future human existences.