Mitranand Mantri Charitram - Book Summary

This Jain text, titled Mitranand Mantri Charitram (The Biography of Minister Mitranand), authored by Shri Vardhamansuri and published by Hiralal Hansraj, tells the story of Minister Mitranand and highlights the importance of the Pausadh Vrata (a vow observed on specific days, often involving fasting and celibacy) in attaining spiritual merit and prosperity.

The narrative unfolds as follows:

Introduction to Pausadh Vrata: The text begins by defining the third Shiksha Vrata (disciplinary vow) as Pausadh, which involves abstaining from minor activities and rituals like bathing, practicing celibacy, and undertaking austerities. It is described as being observed like the vows of pure, initiated monks, for a full day and night or at least throughout the night by those who have controlled their senses. The Pausadh Vrata is likened to the month of Paush (a month in the Hindu calendar) in its ability to destroy the "serpent of worldly attachment," and is exemplified by Minister Mitranand, who, like the Pausadh Vrata, destroys the heat of suffering.
The Setting and the Minister: The story is set in the beautiful city of Pushpapura, a city "pure with religion" and "radiant with wealth." The king of this city is Bhanu, whose brilliance surpasses even the sun, and who is a giver of "amrit of war" to his enemies. The minister to this king is Mitranand, renowned for his intelligence and wisdom, described as being so learned that even Brihaspati (the guru of the gods) would be his disciple.
The Dispute and Exile: One day, a dispute arises between King Bhanu and Minister Mitranand regarding the primacy of effort versus destiny (or merit). The king, proud of his own endeavors, accuses Mitranand of being proud of his accumulated merit and challenges him to take over his kingdom. He declares that anyone who follows Mitranand out of the city will have their blood drunk by his sword and banishes Mitranand, telling him to fulfill his word elsewhere and not return home. Mitranand, though hurt, accepts the king's command and departs from the city on foot, like a mountain.
The Wish-Fulfilling Gem: While traveling, a weary Mitranand finds a beautiful lake. After bathing and resting, he sees a divine being descend from the sky. This being gifts Mitranand a wish-fulfilling gem (Chintamani), stating that it will grant him the desired army in the evening and abundant wealth in the future if worshipped. The divine being then departs.
Gathering an Army and Returning: Mitranand, filled with wonder, worships the gem and soon acquires a large army. He then marches towards his former city, encircling it with his forces.
Confrontation and Reconciliation: The king, upon hearing of the siege, sends spies. Mitranand instructs the spies to inform the king that he, Mitranand, who has achieved this army through his merit, has arrived, and the king, who suppresses the world with his valor, should come out to fight. The spies deliver the message, and the king, realizing the truth and influenced by the power of merit, goes to meet Mitranand with a few companions.
The King's Realization: Upon meeting, Mitranand bows to the king, who then embraces him and places him on his own throne. The king admits that merit is superior to effort, as those with merit have those with effort as their servants. He recognizes that the army Mitranand possesses is a manifestation of his good fortune and admits that despite being king, he feels like a servant before Mitranand. The king then asks Mitranand how he acquired such wealth.
Mitranand's Story of Sudatta and the Thief: Mitranand then recounts his past life's story as Sudatta, a wealthy merchant in the city of Padmanetra. Sudatta was a devout follower of Jainism. One night, while observing the Pausadh Vrata, his house was invaded by a powerful thief skilled in a sleep-inducing magical art. While the thief's magic incapacitated everyone else, it had no effect on Sudatta, who was engrossed in meditation on the Navkar Mantra. The thief stole all the valuables from Sudatta's house, but Sudatta's mind remained undisturbed. After the thieves left and the household woke up to lament their losses, Sudatta, having completed his Pausadh, went about his daily duties. Through his continued efforts and merit, he regained his wealth.
The Thief's Encounter and Reform: Later, the chief thief, a master of the sleep-inducing art, came to Padmanetra to sell a stolen necklace. Dhan, a merchant and acquaintance of Sudatta, recognized the necklace and handed the thief over to the guards. Sudatta, upon learning of this, intervened. He vouched for Dhan, stating that Dhan was unaware of the theft and that Sudatta himself had sold the necklace to the thief. He implored the guards to release Dhan, lest he be falsely accused like the moon becoming stained by the Rohini constellation. The guards, believing Sudatta, who observed twelve vows, would not lie, released the thief. Sudatta then fed the thief and gave him clothes, advising him to abandon wrongful acts.
The Thief's Enlightenment and Demise: The thief, touched by Sudatta's kindness and teachings, realized the nature of right and wrong. He then encountered a Jain monk named Shubhrabha, who was giving religious discourse outside the city. The thief, understanding the teachings, took initiation from the monk. After observing pure conduct, he was reborn as a celestial being (Sur) in the Saudharma heaven. Sudatta, after his death, became the minister Mitranand.
The Celestial Being's Gratitude and Mitranand's Liberation: The celestial being, remembering Sudatta's kindness, later met the anxious Minister Mitranand and gifted him a jewel. The king inquired if the celestial being could be seen by the minister. The muni explained that after his life, this vision would be instrumental in Mitranand's liberation. Mitranand's liberation would occur on the Lavana Sea, while traveling in a celestial chariot brought by a time-aware celestial being, to worship the eternal images of the Tirthankaras on Nandiśvara Island, after attaining Kevala Jnana (omniscience) through pure meditation.
Conclusion: Hearing the muni's words, everyone, including the king, returned to their homes with their religious understanding enhanced. The text concludes by stating that by following the example of Mitranand, who attained prosperity through past merit, intelligent individuals should engage in the Pausadh Vrata to cut through the cycle of worldly existence.

The text also includes a note at the end acknowledging a printing error on page 3, where the meaning of verse 12 was misplaced, and that the meaning for verses 12 to 29 might be affected, with the corrected printing starting from page 6.

In essence, the "Mitranand Mantri Charitram" is a Jain narrative that underscores the power of merit earned through righteous actions and vows like the Pausadh Vrata, demonstrating how adherence to dharma can lead to overcoming adversities, achieving prosperity, and ultimately attaining spiritual liberation.