Nal Damayanti Charitrayam

This summary is based on the provided text, which is primarily in Gujarati and Sanskrit, with some English notes. The title of the book is "Nal Damayanti Charitrayam" authored by Jayshekharsuri and Sarvodaysagar, and published by Charitraratna Foundation Charitable Trust.

The text itself is not a single narrative but rather a compilation that includes:

1. The Nal Damayanti Charitra (The Story of Nala and Damayanti):

• Author: Jayshekharsuri (referred to as Kavi Chakravarti).
• Content: This appears to be the main Jain narrative of the classic Indian love story of King Nala and Princess Damayanti.
• Key Themes (from the description): The story highlights the dreadful consequences of gambling and addiction, suggesting that reading this book might bring about positive life changes for those afflicted by such vices. It also implies that the story contains profound life lessons and philosophical reflections.
• Structure: The text mentions the original work is 968 verses long and was meticulously prepared over 4 years, divided into 8 sections and translated into 5 languages, resulting in a 900-page volume.

2. Historical Context and Jain Literature:

• Achalgach: The text places the work within the context of the Achalgach tradition of Jainism, noting its rise in Vikram Samvat 1189 and its subsequent history. It highlights that many learned scholars and their works have emerged from this tradition.
• Other Nal Damayanti Works: The text discusses other Jain works based on the Nal-Damayanti story from the 15th, 16th, and 17th centuries, by authors like Rishivardhansuri and Vijaykheshar. It mentions the availability of manuscripts in various libraries and the ongoing need for research to uncover more of this literature.
• The Nal Damayanti Story's Prevalence: The text emphasizes the story's popularity across different languages and cultures, tracing its origins to the Mahabharata's "Nalopakhyan" and Gunadhya's "Brihatkatha." It also lists numerous Sanskrit works (poems, plays, Champus, etc.) that retell the Nal-Damayanti story, acknowledging that many of these remain in manuscript form.

3. Editorial and Publication Details:

• Inspiration: The project was inspired by the ideas of various revered Jain monks, including Acharya Gautam Sagar Surishwar, Acharya Gun Sagar Surishwar, and Muniraj Charitraratna Sagar.
• Compilation and Editing: Munivarya Sarvodaya Sagar is credited with the compilation, and Munivarya Udayaratna Sagar is the editor.
• Support: The Mulund Shwetambar Murti Pujak Jain Sangh provided financial assistance.
• Praise for the Publication: The publishers express pride in creating a unique publication that presents the text in five languages and eight sections for the first time. They acknowledge the divine grace and the efficiency of the monks in completing this extensive work in a short period.
• Acknowledgment: Thanks are given to Mr. Stafford (Jatinbhai) for the English translation.

4. Specific Chapters/Sections Highlighted:

• The introductory pages contain salutations to Jain Tirthankaras and various Acharyas of the Achalgach, highlighting Jayshekhar Suri's title as "Kavi Chakravarti" (King of Poets).
• A significant portion of the text is dedicated to a detailed biography of Acharya Gautam Sagar Surishwar, detailing his lineage, upbringing, initiation into monkhood, and his spiritual journey and achievements. This biography seems to be a substantial part of the book.
• The text includes a Shuddhipatraka (Errata/Correction list) on pages 9-16, showing numerous corrections made to the original text, suggesting a meticulous editorial process.
• The initial chapters (starting around page 25) seem to begin the narrative with auspicious verses for Jain Tirthankaras and then proceed to the story of King Nala's dynasty, describing the land of Koshal, its capital, and King Bhimrath. It then introduces Nala and Kubera. The narrative then shifts to the story of Damyanti's birth, her exceptional beauty, and her upbringing.

In essence, "Nal Damayanti Charitram" by Jayshekharsuri and Sarvodaysagar is a comprehensive Jain rendition of the classic Nal-Damayanti story, presented with extensive devotional and historical context, focusing on the teachings and contributions of the Achalgach tradition. The book also includes a significant biographical section on Acharya Gautam Sagar Surishwar, likely as a dedication or tribute. The work is presented in multiple languages, indicating its broad appeal and the effort to make Jain literature accessible.