Meghkumar Ki Atmakatha Diwakar Chitrakatha 014 - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Meghkumar ki Atmakatha Diwakar Chitrakatha 014" in English:

This book, "Meghkumar ki Atmakatha" (The Autobiography of Meghkumar), is part of the Diwakar Chitrakatha series, published by Diwakar Prakashan and authored by Purnachandravijay and Shreechand Surana. The story is based on the Jain Agamas, specifically the Gnyata Sutra. It tells the profound tale of Meghkumar, a prince of Magadha, and his spiritual journey towards renunciation and enlightenment, emphasizing themes of compassion, equanimity, and the consequences of past actions.

The Narrative:

The story begins by establishing the close ties between the royal family of Magadha, led by King Shrenik and Queen Chellana, and Lord Mahavir's religious order. Shrenik's son, Ajatashatru Kunic, was also a devotee. The text highlights that many members of the royal household, including Meghkumar, took monastic vows and engaged in rigorous spiritual practices.

Meghkumar's Birth and Early Life:

The Dream: The narrative details how Queen Dharini, one of Shrenik's wives, dreamt of a white elephant entering her womb. This auspicious dream was interpreted by King Shrenik as a sign that she would bear a noble son who would enhance their fame and prosperity.
The "Dohad": During her pregnancy, Queen Dharini developed a peculiar craving, or "dohad," to ride a white elephant through the city during a rain shower, with the King following her with a royal umbrella. Initially hesitant to express this seemingly impossible desire, she eventually confided in the King.
Fulfilling the "Dohad": King Shrenik, though surprised, promised to fulfill her wish. He consulted his wise minister, Abhaykumar, who, through divine intervention (appealing to a friend, Dev), managed to create a spectacular weather phenomenon – dark clouds, lightning, and rain – just as the Queen desired. Meghkumar was then joyfully paraded on a white elephant through the city, fulfilling the prophecy and the queen's wish.
Royal Upbringing: Meghkumar was born and raised with great love and affection. At the age of eight, he was sent to a Gurukul for his education, where he was taught the principles of truth, self-control, and discipline. After completing his studies, he returned to his kingdom, having been taught to uphold values of truth, non-violence, compassion, and kindness.
Marriage: As a young man, Meghkumar married eight beautiful princesses and lived a life of apparent happiness and prosperity.

The Turning Point: Encounter with Lord Mahavir:

Lord Mahavir's Arrival: Lord Mahavir arrived in Rajagriha and delivered a sermon in the Gunasheel Garden. Meghkumar, upon hearing of the Tirthankar's presence, was intrigued.
The Sermon: Lord Mahavir used an analogy of a precious elixir (amrit kalash) being carelessly used to wash feet in mud, illustrating how human life, far more valuable than any elixir, could be wasted on worldly pleasures and ignorance. He emphasized that life should be used for spiritual liberation.
Meghkumar's Awakening: This sermon deeply moved Meghkumar. He realized the transient nature of worldly pleasures and the immense potential of human life for spiritual attainment. He approached Lord Mahavir and expressed his desire to embrace the path of renunciation.

The Inner Conflict and Lord Mahavir's Wisdom:

Seeking Parental Permission: Meghkumar returned home and sought his parents' permission to become a monk. His mother, Queen Dharini, initially worried about the hardships of monastic life for her delicate son. However, Meghkumar explained that just as gold needs to be purified by fire, the soul needs the discipline of asceticism to achieve liberation.
The Royal Coronation: As a final wish before his renunciation, his father, King Shrenik, requested a ceremonial coronation for Meghkumar, allowing him to experience one day of royal glory before giving it all up. This wish was granted, and Meghkumar was crowned king for a day, with great celebrations.
Taking Monastic Vows: The next day, Meghkumar, in a grand procession, went to Gunasheel Garden and received initiation (diksha) from Lord Mahavir, becoming a monk.
The Night of Doubt: That night, Meghkumar was assigned a sleeping spot near the entrance of the monks' dormitory. The constant movement of other monks entering and leaving disturbed his sleep. This led to an internal conflict. He felt overwhelmed by the physical discomforts of monastic life – sleeping on the floor, being disturbed, and the general hardship. He started regretting his decision, thinking of his former comfortable life and considering returning home the next morning.

The Past Life Revelation:

Lord Mahavir's Intervention: Lord Mahavir, perceiving Meghkumar's distress, approached him. Meghkumar confessed his discomfort and his desire to return home.
The Story of Sumeruprabh/Meruprabh: To illustrate the importance of compassion and the rewards of enduring hardship for the sake of others, Lord Mahavir narrated the past life story of Meghkumar.
- First Life (Sumeruprabh): In a previous life, Meghkumar was a powerful elephant king named Sumeruprabh. During a forest fire, while fleeing, the old and weak Sumeruprabh got stuck in a muddy marsh. While he was struggling, another elephant, holding a grudge, attacked him and left him to die. He perished hungry and thirsty, abandoned by all.
- Second Life (Meruprabh): After this unfortunate end, he was reborn as a red-colored elephant named Meruprabh in another life. During a forest fire, he remembered his previous life's experience. To protect his herd, he cleared a large area of land, creating a safe zone. When the fire came, many animals took refuge there. During the chaos, a small rabbit sat under Meruprabh's raised foot. Meruprabh, filled with compassion, held his foot aloft for two and a half days and nights to protect the rabbit from being crushed, enduring immense pain, hunger, and thirst.
The Consequence of Compassion: After the fire subsided, Meruprabh, weakened by his ordeal, eventually died. However, the immense merit gained from his act of compassion allowed him to be reborn as Prince Meghkumar in the royal family of Magadha.

Meghkumar's Realization and Renewed Resolve:

Connecting the Past and Present: Lord Mahavir's story brought Meghkumar's past life vividly back to his memory. He realized the great suffering he had endured in his animal life, and the profound merit he had earned through compassion, which led him to his current human birth.
Overcoming Weakness: He felt ashamed of his momentary weakness and fear of minor discomforts in the present life, especially compared to the immense pain he had voluntarily endured in his past life for a small creature. He understood that true strength lies in enduring hardship for spiritual growth and for the welfare of others.
Recommitment to the Path: Meghkumar's resolve was strengthened. He expressed deep remorse for his fleeting doubt and reaffirmed his commitment to the monastic path, vowing to practice tolerance and compassion throughout his life. He took a vow to only seek treatment for his eyes, symbolizing his focus on spiritual vision over physical comfort.

Conclusion:

After this profound self-realization, Meghkumar fully dedicated himself to Lord Mahavir's teachings. He practiced rigorous asceticism and discipline for twelve years. He then went to Vipulachal mountain, where he undertook a month-long fast (Anshan) and attained liberation (Moksha), becoming a celestial being (Dev) in the Vijay Mahaviman.

The book concludes by emphasizing that Meghkumar's story serves as an eternal message of compassion, tolerance, and the relinquishing of impatience for steadfastness, inspiring souls to remember their true nature and find stability in spiritual practice, while also highlighting the immense rewards of compassion and the importance of enduring hardship.