Neminirvanam

This is a summary of the Jain text "Neminirvāṇam" by Vāgbhaṭa, based on the provided pages of the Kāvyamālā edition.

General Overview:

"Neminirvāṇam" is a Mahākāvya (epic poem) in Sanskrit that narrates the life and teachings of Neminātha, the 22nd Tirthankara of Jainism. The text is composed by Mahākavi Śrīmad Vāgbhaṭa. This edition is edited by Pandit Śivadatta and Kāsīnāth Pandurang Parab, and published by Pandurang Javaji in 1936.

The text is structured into several cantos (Sargas), each describing different aspects of Neminātha's life and the philosophical principles of Jainism. The provided pages cover the beginning of the first canto up to the end of the fifteenth canto.

Key Themes and Content:

The poem begins with invocations to the Tirthankaras, seeking their blessings. It then progresses through various stages of Neminātha's life, intertwined with descriptions of nature, kingdoms, and significant events.

Key Sections and Their Content (based on the provided pages):

• Canto 1 (Prathama Sarga):

  • Invocations (Mangalācaraṇa): The canto starts with salutations to various Tirthankaras (Nābhisūnu, Jinendra, Aditya, Abhinandana, Sumati, Padma, Supārśva, Chandraprabha, Puṣpadanta, Śītala, Śreyānsa, Vāsapūjya, Vimala, Ananta, Dharma, Śānti, Kunthu, Ara, Munisuvrata, Nami, Neminātha, Pārśvanātha, Vīranātha).
  • Description of Suarashtra and Dvārakā: The poet describes the beautiful region of Suarashtra, mentioning its fertile land, rivers, lakes, and the prosperous city of Dvārakā. The description highlights the city's grandeur, its fortifications, palaces, gardens, and the happiness of its inhabitants.
  • Royal Lineage and the City's Beauty: The poem elaborates on the city of Dvārakā, its layout, the lifestyle of its people, and the presence of beautiful women. It also touches upon the Yadu dynasty and the reign of King Samudravijaya.

• Canto 2 (Dvitīya Sarga):

  • Divine Beings and Their Arrival: This canto describes the arrival of celestial beings (Amara-mahīdhara-kandara, Divaspati, Purandara) and their interaction with King Ugrasena. It hints at a divine purpose behind their visit.
  • Prophecy of Neminātha's Birth: Celestial beings discuss the upcoming birth of Neminātha, the son of Samudravijaya and Śivā, who will be a great Jina.
  • Queen Śivā's Pregnancy and Divine Signs: The canto details the auspicious signs experienced by Queen Śivā, indicating her pregnancy with the future Tirthankara. It also describes the joyous reception of the news by the celestial beings and the divine preparations for the birth.

• Canto 3 (Tṛtīya Sarga):

  • Morning Descriptions: The canto begins with detailed descriptions of the morning, the rising sun, the moon setting, lotuses blooming, bees buzzing, and the general beauty of nature at dawn. It uses poetic metaphors to describe these scenes.
  • Queen's Vision (Svapnāvalīdarśana): The queen, while resting, has a series of visions. These visions are highly symbolic and interpreted as indications of auspicious events, particularly the birth of a great soul. The visions include divine elephants, lions, celestial trees, lotuses, and other auspicious symbols.
  • Interpretation of the Dreams: The celestial attendants, upon seeing the queen's dreams, interpret them as signs of an imminent divine birth, specifically the arrival of the great Tirthankara Neminātha.

• Canto 4 (Caturtha Sarga):

  • Queen's Pregnancy and Prenatal Care: The canto continues to describe the queen's pregnancy, the care she receives, and the auspicious events that occur during this period.
  • Neminātha's Birth: It culminates in the divine birth of Neminātha. The canto details the joyous celebrations, the descent of celestial beings, and the divine anointing (abhiṣeka) ceremony performed for the newborn.
  • Divine Powers and Incarnation: The poem emphasizes the extraordinary nature of Neminātha's birth and his inherent divine qualities, foreshadowing his future role as a spiritual guide.

• Canto 5 (Pañcama Sarga):

  • Neminātha's Childhood and Divine Nature: This canto focuses on Neminātha's childhood. It highlights his divine presence, his precocious understanding, and his attraction to spiritual pursuits even from a young age.
  • Royal Court and Devotion: The canto describes Neminātha's presence in the royal court, his interactions with celestial beings, and the reverence shown to him.
  • The Abhisheka Ceremony: It details the grand abhiṣeka (consecration) ceremony performed for Neminātha by Indra and other celestial beings, signifying his supreme status.

• Canto 6 (Ṣaṣṭha Sarga):

  • Spring Season Descriptions: The canto is filled with elaborate descriptions of the spring season, its beauty, the blooming flowers, the gentle breeze, the songs of birds, and the general atmosphere of joy and romance.
  • Love and Nature: It portrays the influence of spring on the hearts of young people, leading to feelings of love and desire, often expressed through interactions with nature.

• Canto 7 (Saptama Sarga):

  • Mountain and Forest Descriptions: This canto offers detailed descriptions of mountains, forests, rivers, and other natural elements. The poet uses vivid imagery and metaphors to portray the beauty and grandeur of these landscapes.
  • Spiritual Undertones: Amidst the descriptions of nature, there are subtle hints of spiritual detachment and the pursuit of higher truths.

• Canto 8 (Aṣṭama Sarga):

  • Pleasures of the Forest and Water Sports: The canto vividly describes the Yadavas, including Neminātha and his companions, engaging in recreational activities in the forest and water bodies. This includes descriptions of their attire, adornments, playful interactions, and love for nature.
  • Sensual and Romantic Scenes: The descriptions are rich in sensuous details, focusing on the beauty of the women, their adornments, their playful actions, and the romantic atmosphere of the forest and water sports.

• Canto 9 (Navama Sarga):

  • Night and Moonrise Descriptions: This canto is dedicated to describing the transition from day to night, the moonrise, and the beauty of the night sky. The poet uses a variety of metaphors and similes to capture the enchanting atmosphere.
  • Romantic Encounters: The descriptions of the night and the moon are interwoven with romantic scenes of couples enjoying the celestial beauty, enhancing the theme of love and longing.

• Canto 10 (Daśama Sarga):

  • Wine and Lovemaking (Madhupāna Surata Varṇana): This canto focuses on scenes of revelry, including the drinking of wine (madhu), and detailed descriptions of romantic and intimate encounters between couples.
  • Sensual Descriptions: The canto is known for its explicit and detailed descriptions of lovemaking, highlighting the physical aspects of passion and desire.

• Canto 11 (Ekādaśa Sarga):

  • The Proposal of Marriage: This canto describes the event where King Ugrasena proposes marriage between Neminātha and Rājīmatī, the daughter of King Samudravijaya. It details the divine signs and prophecies that foretold this union.
  • Neminātha's Journey and Reception: The canto depicts Neminātha's journey to Dvārakā for the proposed marriage and the grand reception he receives.
  • Previous Births (Pūrva Bhava Varṇana): A significant portion of this canto recounts Neminātha's past births. This section is crucial for understanding the karmic journey and the reasons behind his ultimate renunciation. It details his lives as a divine being, a king, a warrior, and other roles, highlighting his spiritual development.

• Canto 12 (Dvādaśa Sarga):

  • Wedding Preparations and Journey: The canto describes the preparations for Neminātha's wedding, his journey to Dvārakā with elaborate decorations, and the arrival of various dignitaries.
  • The Wedding Ceremony: It details the wedding ceremony, the exchange of vows, and the joyous atmosphere surrounding the union of Neminātha and Rājīmatī.
  • Arrival in Dvārakā: The canto describes Neminātha's arrival in Dvārakā, the beauty of the city, and the admiration he receives from the citizens.

• Canto 13 (Trayodaśa Sarga):

  • The Wedding Feast and Animal Sacrifice: While the wedding preparations are underway, Neminātha hears the cries of animals destined for sacrifice in the wedding feast.
  • Neminātha's Renunciation: This event deeply affects Neminātha. Moved by compassion and recalling his past births (detailed in this canto), he renounces the wedding and the worldly pleasures. He eloquently explains his reasons, emphasizing the futility of worldly enjoyments and the importance of spiritual liberation through non-violence (ahimsa) and austerity.
  • Past Lives' Significance: The descriptions of his past lives serve as a context for his profound spiritual awakening and his decision to embrace asceticism.

• Canto 14 (Caturdaśa Sarga):

  • Neminātha's Asceticism: This canto details Neminātha's acceptance of the monastic vows. It describes his spiritual practices, his meditation, and the profound peace and divine light (Kevalajñāna) he attains.
  • The Arrival of Celestial Beings and Worship: Celestial beings descend to witness his enlightenment and offer their worship.
  • The Attainment of Kevala Jñāna: The canto culminates with Neminātha attaining omniscience (Kevala Jñāna), the highest state of knowledge in Jainism.

• Canto 15 (Pañcadaśa Sarga):

  • The Sermon of Neminātha: Following his omniscience, Neminātha begins to preach the Jain dharma. This canto focuses on the essence of his teachings, explaining the fundamental principles of Jainism.
  • Jain Philosophy Explained: The teachings cover the Six Dravyas (substances), the doctrine of Karma (actions and their consequences), the concepts of bondage (bandha), cessation of karma (saṃvara), shedding of karma (nirjarā), and liberation (mokṣa).
  • The Audience and Impact: The sermon is attended by gods, demigods, humans, and other beings, all captivated by Neminātha's profound wisdom and divine presence.

Literary Style and Significance:

Vāgbhaṭa's poetic style is characterized by its rich vocabulary, elaborate descriptions, and masterful use of metaphors and similes. The poem is praised for its devotional content, philosophical depth, and aesthetic appeal. "Neminirvāṇam" is considered a significant work in Jain literature, providing a detailed and poetic account of the life and teachings of Neminātha, reinforcing the core tenets of Jainism.