Oswal Vansh Sthapak Adyacharya Ratnaprabhsuriji Ka Jayanti Mahotsav

This document is a summary of the book "Oswal Vansh Sthapak Adyacharya Ratnaprabhsuriji Ka Jayanti Mahotsav" (Celebration of the Birth Anniversary of Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji, the Founder of the Oswal Dynasty), authored by Gyansundar Maharaj.

The book aims to commemorate the life and contributions of Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji, the founder of the Oswal community. It is presented as a call to action for the Oswal community to remember and honor their illustrious ancestor.

Here's a breakdown of the key themes and content presented in the provided pages:

Core Message & Purpose:

• Remembering and Honoring the Founder: The central theme is the importance of celebrating the Jayanti (birth anniversary) of Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji.
• Gratitude and Overcoming Neglect: The text criticizes the community for forgetting their great benefactors, suggesting this neglect is a cause of their decline. It urges them to overcome this "unfaithfulness."
• Reviving Pride and Unity: The celebration is seen as a way to instill pride in their heritage, unite the community, and inspire them to follow the path of their founder.
• Call to Action: The book explicitly requests that the book be read aloud to the public during a grand assembly on Magha Shukla Purnima (the specific day of the anniversary) to inform them about Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji's life and the origin of the Oswal society.

Historical Context and Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji's Role:

• The Era of Decline: The text vividly describes a period of significant social, political, and religious decline in ancient India, characterized by prevalent "Vamamargi" (left-hand path) practices. These included widespread violence (animal sacrifices), consumption of alcohol and meat, immorality, and the spread of obscene scriptures.
• Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji as a Savior: Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji is portrayed as a powerful and benevolent figure who emerged during this dark period to reform society and re-establish the principles of Jainism.
• Founding the Oswal Dynasty: The book details how Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji initiated a process of purification and initiated Kshatriyas (warriors) who had fallen into undesirable practices, thereby founding the "Mahajan Sangh" (later known as the Oswal lineage).
• Emphasis on Virtues: The text highlights the bravery and generosity of the Mahajan Sangh in serving society and religion, which led to their immortal fame.

Key Narratives and Events:

• The Upkeshpur Episode: A significant portion of the text focuses on Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji's arrival and activities in Upkeshpur (later known as Osiya).
  • The Difficulty of Alms: The monks faced severe hardship in finding alms in Upkeshpur, as the populace was steeped in Vamamargi practices.
  • The Story of Trilokya Singh: A detailed account is given of how Trilokya Singh, the minister's son, was bitten by a snake and presumed dead. Through the intervention of the presiding goddess and the wisdom of Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji, Trilokya Singh was revived, demonstrating the Acharya's divine powers and saving the community from performing a Sati ritual. This event significantly impacted the King and the people, leading them to embrace Jainism.
  • Conversion of the Populace: The Acharya's teachings led to the conversion of a large segment of the population of Upkeshpur to Jainism, forming the foundation of the Oswal community.
  • Temple Construction: The text describes the construction and consecration of temples dedicated to Lord Mahavir and Lord Parshvanath in Upkeshpur, highlighting the auspicious timing and the involvement of divine beings.
  • The Role of Goddess Chamuṇḍā: The narrative involves the presiding goddess Chamuṇḍā, who initially expressed dissatisfaction with the non-violent offerings made by the Oswals but was eventually enlightened by Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji, renouncing her violent practices and embracing Jainism.
  • The Origin of the Oswal Name: It is explained that the descendants of the Upkeshpur lineage, who later migrated to other places, came to be known as "Upkeshi" and eventually "Oswal" after the city's name evolved.

Philosophical and Religious Teachings:

• Jain Principles: The book delves into the core principles of Jainism, including the importance of Ahimsa (non-violence), truthfulness, self-control, and detachment.
• Refutation of Misconceptions: A significant section addresses common criticisms and misconceptions about Jainism, clarifying their stance on God, creation, karma, idol worship, and the perceived "cowardice" associated with Ahimsa. The text strongly refutes these notions, presenting Jainism as a path of courage and spiritual strength.
• The Nature of True Devotion: The book emphasizes that true devotion lies in understanding and practicing the tenets of Jainism, rather than mere rituals or adherence to superstitions.

Overall Tone and Appeal:

• Urgency and Exhortation: The tone is persuasive and urgent, urging the community to wake up from their inertia and actively participate in honoring their heritage.
• Emphasis on Duty: The text frames the celebration of the Jayanti as a sacred duty towards their ancestors.
• Inspirational: The narrative is intended to inspire pride, unity, and a renewed commitment to Jain values within the Oswal community.

In essence, the book is a historical and devotional work that aims to reawaken the Oswal community's consciousness about their origins and the profound contributions of Acharya Ratnaprabhsuriji, calling for a renewed sense of gratitude, unity, and adherence to their ancestral faith.