Meghkumar Geet

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Meghkumar Geet" by Rasila Kadia, based on the provided pages:

Book Title: Shri Meghkumar Geet Author: Rasila Kadia (Editor/Compiler) Publisher: ZZ_Anusandhan Source: Compiled from a collection of works found in the library of Bharatiya Sanskriti Vidyapeeth, Ahmedabad.

Summary:

"Shri Meghkumar Geet" is a devotional song that narrates the story of Meghkumar, the son of King Shrenik. The text highlights Meghkumar's spiritual awakening after hearing the discourse of Lord Mahavir and his subsequent desire to renounce worldly life and embrace asceticism.

The core of the Geet lies in the poignant dialogue between Meghkumar and his mother, Dharini. The mother, deeply attached to her son and concerned about his well-being, tries to dissuade him from choosing the difficult path of sanyam (asceticism). She reminds him of the hardships involved:

• Physical Austerities: Eating tasteless food from a bowl made of kachli (a type of gourd), sleeping on the floor, and walking on foot instead of using elephants, horses, or palanquins.
• Endurance of Hardships: Facing the challenges of different seasons, such as intense heat and cold, and wearing coarse clothing.
• The Difficulty of Controlling the Senses: Citing examples of other prominent figures like Ardrakumar and Muni Nandishen, who found it difficult to conquer desires even after renouncing the world.
• The Frailty of Old Age: Questioning how he will be able to practice dharma when his body weakens with age and his senses decline.

The mother also points to the examples of ShAlIbhadr and Jambukumar, who renounced great wealth and faced hardships at a young age to pursue sanyam. She expresses her fear that he, being delicate and pampered, will not be able to withstand such trials.

Despite his mother's earnest pleas and rational arguments, Meghkumar is resolute in his decision. He argues that he has already endured immense suffering in his past lives, even from the nigod state, and has no knowledge of how many breaths he has taken in this existence. He emphasizes that the present life is his opportunity to pursue the rare dharma before old age overtakes him. He asserts that the world is driven by self-interest, and his pursuit of sanyam will bring him true happiness.

After convincing his mother, Meghkumar also persuades his eight wives, who accept his decision, understanding that without him, their adornments and worldly pleasures are meaningless. King Shrenik then grants him permission and celebrates his renunciation with great festivity.

The Geet concludes by stating that by practicing sanyam, Meghkumar will ascend to the Anuttar Vijay Vimana (a heavenly realm) and later attain Keval Gyana (omniscience) in the Mahavideh Kshetra, ultimately achieving liberation (moksha). The poem ends with a message from the poet, Punpal, that those who embrace this righteous path will cross the ocean of existence.

Key Themes:

• Renunciation and Asceticism: The central theme is the choice to leave worldly life for spiritual practice.
• Mother's Love and Concern: The Geet beautifully portrays a mother's deep affection and her anxieties for her son's well-being.
• Spiritual Determination: Meghkumar's unwavering resolve in the face of his mother's arguments.
• The Fruits of Sanyam: The text emphasizes the ultimate rewards of asceticism, leading to celestial realms and liberation.
• Examples from Jain History: The inclusion of figures like Ardrakumar, Nandishen, ShAlIbhadr, and Jambukumar serves to illustrate the challenges and rewards of the spiritual path.

Authorship and Context:

The text attributes the authorship to "Punpal." The prasasti (invocation) and pushpika (concluding verse) mention "Punpal" as the composer. The manuscript was written by "Muni Karmatilak" for the reading of "Muni Karmasundar." The date of composition is not provided.

The Geet is considered a valuable piece for its portrayal of maternal love and the spiritual journey, offering insights into the sacrifices and aspirations of a Jain ascetic.