Munisuvrat Swami Charit Evam Thana Tirth Ka Itihas - Book Summary

This document is the Hindi text of a Jain book titled "Munisuvrat Swami Charit evam Thana Tirth Ka Itihas" (The Biography of Munisuvrat Swami and the History of Thana Tirth) authored by Purnanandvijay (Kumar Shraman). Published in 1989 by Shree Rishabhdevji Maharaj Jain Dharm Temple and Gnati Trust, Thane, the book is a significant work for the Jain community, particularly for the Thana (Thane) region.

Here's a comprehensive summary of the book's content based on the provided pages:

I. Introduction and Publisher Information:

Title: Munisuvrat Swami Charit evam Thana Tirth Ka Itihas (The Biography of Munisuvrat Swami and the History of Thana Tirth).
Author: Purnanandvijay (Kumar Shraman).
Publisher: Shree Rishabhdevji Maharaj Jain Dharm Temple and Gnati Trust, Thane, in association with Shree Munisuvrat Swami Jinalaya, Tembi Naka, Thane.
Year of Publication: 1989.
Context: The book was published to fulfill the desire of the Thana Jain Sangha to document the life of Lord Munisuvrat Swami and the history of the Thana Tirth. The author also included a section on mantras.
Activities of the Trust: The trust manages various religious and charitable activities, including multiple Jain temples, a school, a charitable kitchen, a knowledge repository (Gyanbhandar), a charitable fund, and a drinking water facility.

II. Significance of Lord Munisuvrat Swami and Thana Tirth:

Tirthankaras: The book begins by introducing the tradition of Tirthankaras in Jainism, highlighting their role as knowers of universal truths and propagators of the path to liberation. It lists the 24 Tirthankaras of the current era.
Lord Munisuvrat Swami's Prominence: Lord Munisuvrat Swami, the 20th Tirthankara, is identified as the principal deity of the Thana Tirth.
Historical Context of Thana: The mention of Thana in the popular "Shripal Ras" (a Jain narrative read during Navpadji Oli) enhances its historical significance. The author's own Chaturmas at Thana Tirth inspired the creation of this book.

III. Content of the Book:

The book is structured into various chapters detailing the life of Lord Munisuvrat Swami and related Jain concepts and history:

Brief Introduction of Lord Munisuvrat Swami: Provides biographical details such as his lifespan, parentage (King Sumitra and Queen Padmavati), birthplace (Rajgir), lineage (Harivansh), emblem (tortoise), height, and attendants.
Origin of Harivansh: Explains how the Harivansh lineage originated during the time of Lord Shitalnath. It narrates the story of King Sumukh, the weaver Veerkuvind, his wife Vanmala, and their entanglement with the king, leading to their downfall and subsequent rebirth. This story serves to illustrate the consequences of unchecked senses and desires, and the importance of adhering to vows as prescribed by Tirthankaras.
Lord's Past Life: Details the previous birth of Lord Munisuvrat Swami as King Surashreshth in Champanagari. King Surashreshth was a virtuous ruler who, after being enlightened by Muni Nandan, renounced his kingdom, became an ascetic, and performed intense austerities (like the Bheeshtanak Tapa) to earn the Tirthankara-nama karma. This section emphasizes the importance of spiritual practices and renunciation for attaining the highest spiritual status.
Lord's Birth and Renunciation: Describes the auspicious birth of Lord Munisuvrat Swami in Rajgir, preceded by Queen Padmavati's fourteen auspicious dreams. It details the divine celebrations by the gods, the naming ceremony (Munisuvrat due to the mother's virtuous thoughts during pregnancy), his marriage, his role as a just king, and his eventual renunciation with one thousand kings.
Lord's Teachings (Upadesh): Recounts the divine discourse delivered by Lord Munisuvrat Swami in the Samavsaran. The teachings emphasize the transient nature of worldly possessions, the importance of righteous living, the power of karma, the significance of human birth for spiritual progress, and the principles of Jainism (Ahimsa, Samyam, and Tap).
Ashva Avabodh (Enlightenment of the Horse): This is a prominent story where a horse, previously a sinner in its past lives, is enlightened by Lord Munisuvrat Swami's discourse. The story highlights the profound impact of righteous teachings and the interconnectedness of souls across lifetimes. It also subtly touches upon the importance of worshipping Jain idols and the veneration of Jain temples, as the horse itself was a devotee in a previous life. The horse's story connects to a former merchant, Sagardatt, and his friend Jinadharma.
Shakunika Vihar: Narrates the story of Princess Sudarshana, who, due to past karma (violence and theft), was reborn as a kite. After receiving spiritual guidance and performing penances, she was reborn as a human princess. She established the Shakunika Vihar temple, which is now associated with Lord Munisuvrat Swami. The historical context of the original temple being destroyed and later repurposed is also mentioned.
Lord's Nirvana (Moksha): Describes the Lord's final moments and his attainment of Moksha (liberation) at the age of 30,000 years, 50,000 years after the Nirvana of Lord Mallinath.
Konkan Region and Thana City: Provides geographical and historical context about the Konkan region and Thana city, its development, and the settlement of Jain communities there. It mentions the importance of Thana as a trading port and its connection to Jain history through figures like Shripal Maharaj.
Thana Jain Temples and Organizations: Lists the various Jain temples and organizations functioning in Thana, showcasing the vibrant Jain community.
Mantras and Yantras: The book includes sections on "Anubhut Vividh Mantra" (Experienced Various Mantras) and "Siddhi Pradayak Yantra" (Fulfilling Yantras). These sections offer specific mantras and geometric diagrams (yantras) believed to be beneficial for spiritual well-being, overcoming obstacles, and seeking divine grace, particularly related to Lord Munisuvrat Swami and other Tirthankaras. The section on mantras also discusses their power and the importance of proper guidance (Guru-gam) for their practice. It also includes a section on the "Twenty-four Tirthankaras Kalpa (Scientific Method)" which lists specific mantras for each Tirthankara and their attributed benefits.
Shripal Maharaj's Siddha-Chakra Aradhana: Recounts the story of Prince Shripal, his affliction with leprosy due to past karma, and his miraculous cure through the worship of the Siddha-Chakra. This narrative highlights the efficacy of Jain rituals and devotion. It also connects Shripal's story to Thana, mentioning his visit and adherence to the Navpadji festival there.

IV. Thematic Significance:

The book emphasizes several core Jain principles:

Karma: The deterministic and continuous nature of karma is a recurring theme, explaining the cause of suffering and the path to liberation.
Ahimsa (Non-violence): This is presented as the supreme principle of Jainism.
Samyam (Self-control) and Tap (Austerities): These are highlighted as crucial practices for spiritual progress and the purification of the soul.
Devotion and Worship: The importance of devotion to Tirthankaras, their idols, and the practice of Jain rituals for spiritual upliftment and material well-being is underscored.
The Power of Mantras and Yantras: The book presents these as tools for spiritual advancement and overcoming worldly difficulties, provided they are practiced with faith and proper guidance.

In essence, "Munisuvrat Swami Charit evam Thana Tirth Ka Itihas" serves as a devotional and historical guide, celebrating the life and teachings of Lord Munisuvrat Swami and detailing the significance of Thana as a sacred site for the Jain community. It aims to inspire readers to follow the path of righteousness and attain spiritual liberation.