Padma Puranabhasha

The provided Jain text, "Padma Purana Bhasha" by Daulatram Kasliwal, is a vernacular translation and commentary of the Sanskrit "Padma Purana" by Ravisenacharya. The text is presented as a devotional work, published by Shantisagar Jain Siddhant Prakashini Sanstha, with a donation in memory of Seth Khubchand and Pyari Devi Wakliwal.

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

Overall Context and Purpose:

• Vedic Tradition: The text follows the ancient Indian tradition of retelling Puranic stories in vernacular languages for wider accessibility, similar to how the original Sanskrit Puranas were passed down.
• Jain Interpretation: It presents the story of Padma Purana from a Jain perspective, emphasizing Jain principles, deities, and philosophical concepts.
• Devotional Focus: The publication is framed as a devotional offering, with the initial pages detailing the generous donors and the auspicious occasion of its release.

Key Features and Content:

1. Preamble and Dedication:

   • The book begins with "Shri Veetraagay Namah" (Salutations to the one who has conquered passions).
   • It's dedicated as the "Seth Khubchand-Pyari Devi Wakliwal Smarak Jain Granthmala Pushpa No. 2," indicating it's part of a series and funded by the Wakliwal family.
   • The translation is credited to the late Pandit Daulatramji of Jaipur, published by the Shantisagar Jain Siddhant Prakashini Sanstha in Shraavan Shukla 12, Veer Samvat 2485.

2. Donation Praise (Dan Prashasti):

   • Extensive praise is given to Seth Khubchandji Khandelwal and his wife Sethani Pyari Devi Wakliwal.
   • Seth Khubchandji was a successful businessman who later dedicated himself to religious life. He was known for his generosity, especially secret donations, philanthropy (even in his business life by identifying medicinal herbs), and devotion to gurus and Jain pilgramages. He lived a simple, truthful, and fearless life.
   • Sethani Pyari Deviji came from a respected family, was known for her equal affection towards her daughters-in-law and granddaughters, her compassionate nature that endeared her to all communities, and her devoted service to ascetics (Munis, Aryikas).
   • Their family life was described as blessed with wealth, many children, and grandchildren, totaling 65 individuals at the time of Seth Khubchandji's passing.
   • The institution's establishment by Swasti Shri Lalji Wakliwal in 1913 and its relocation to Kolkata in 1915 are mentioned, along with its publication of significant Jain works like "Shri Samayaprakaran," "Tattvarthrajvarik," and "Shri Gommatsarji."
   • The donors' family, including Seth Bhawrilalji Wakliwal, continued the legacy of publishing Jain scriptures.

3. Table of Contents (Shri Padma Purana Bhasha ki Vishaysuchi):

   • This is a detailed chapter-wise breakdown of the book's content, providing the chapter number and subject. The list is extensive, covering various aspects of the Puranic narrative, including:
     • Introduction and Cosmology: Mangalacharan, Vidhyadhar Loka (realm of celestial beings), various clans of Vidhyadharas.
     • Genealogies and Legends: Rishabhnath Bhagwan's glory, Ravana's birth and austerities, Dashgreave Ravana's might, tales of kings like Sahasrarasmi and Aranya, Marut's Yajna, Ravana's Digvijaya (conquest).
     • Stories of Prominent Figures: Stories of Anantvirya Kvali, Jana Sundari and Pavananjay, Hanuman's birth, reconciliation of Pavananjay and Anjana.
     • Jain Cosmology and History: Mention of 14 Kulkaras, 24 Tirthankaras, 12 Chakravartis, 9 Narayan, 9 Pratinarayan, 9 Balabhadra, their parents, and ancestral cities.
     • The Ramayana Narrative (from a Jain perspective): The story unfolds, covering the lineage leading to King Dashrath, his boons to Queen Kaikeyi, the birth of Ram, Lakshman, Bharat, and Shatrughna, Sita's twin birth with Bhamandal, Ram's victory over Mlecchas, breaking of Shiva's bow, marriage alliances, Dashrath's renunciation, Ram's exile, Bharat's coronation, Ram-Lakshman's assistance to Vajrakarana, the story of Devs establishing a city and Kapil Brahmin's renunciation, stories of Vanmala, JitaPadma, Deshbhushan Kvali, Ramgiri, Jambuswami, Shatrughna's penance, Indrajit's victory over Kumbhakarna, the battle of Ravana and Lakshmana, Lakshmana's Chakra-ratna attainment, Ravana's death, Vibhishana's grief, renunciation of Indrajit, Kumbhakarna, and other queens, Ram and Sita's reunion, Mayamuni's glory, Ayodhya's description, Ram-Lakshman's arrival, Tilokmandan elephant's past life, Bharat's past life, Bharat's renunciation, Ram-Lakshman's coronation, battles, Madh's renunciation, Lavana's death, Mathura's suffering, Shatrughna's past life, overcoming Mathura's plight, Ram's divine attainment, Lakshmana's eight sons' renunciation, Ram's sorrow, Lakshmana's departure, Ram's grief, Vibhishana's discourse on the nature of the world, Lakshmana's final rites, Ram's renunciation, Ram Muni's arrival in the city for alms, overcoming obstacles, Ram Muni's uninterrupted alms, Ram Muni's attainment of Kevala knowledge, Ram's attainment of Moksha, and the conclusion.

4. Mangalacharan (Invocation):

   • The text begins with devotional couplets (Dohas) invoking the ultimate truth (Chidananand Chaitanya), the Panch Parmeshthis (five supreme beings in Jainism - Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, Sadhu), Jinagamas, Jin-images, Jin-temples, and the Jain path.
   • It lists the 24 Tirthankaras, emphasizing devotion to them and their qualities.
   • It also invokes the teachings of various Jain scholars and texts like Gommatsar, Tattvasara, and the teachings of Kundakundacharya, Pujyapada, etc.
   • The text acknowledges the Sanskrit origin by mentioning the Mangalacharan of the Sanskrit text itself.

5. The Narrative of Ramachandra:

   • The text identifies Rama as the eighth Balabhadra and a spiritual figure.
   • It sets the scene in Ayodhya, mentioning Ram, Lakshman, and their lineage.
   • It highlights the importance of hearing the story of Ramachandra and Ravana, as presented by Shrenik Raja to Gautam Swami.
   • It describes the Vidhyadhar world, their clans, and the historical context within Jain cosmology.
   • The narrative delves into the birth, exploits, battles, and eventual renunciation and liberation of Ram and other significant figures, aligning with Jain interpretations of these epic events.
   • The detailed table of contents suggests a comprehensive retelling of the epic from a Jain philosophical and ethical standpoint.

Key Themes:

• Karma and Rebirth: The Jain concept of karma, influencing destinies across multiple lifetimes, is implicitly present in the mention of past lives and the consequences of actions.
• Ahimsa (Non-violence): As a core Jain principle, the emphasis on compassion and the avoidance of harm to living beings would be fundamental to the narrative, even when depicting conflicts.
• Renunciation and Liberation: The path to Moksha through asceticism, detachment, and spiritual practice is a central theme in Jainism and would likely be highlighted in the stories of ascetics and the ultimate goals of the characters.
• Devotion (Bhakti): The text showcases strong devotional elements, particularly towards the Tirthankaras, gurus, and the Jain path, as evidenced by the introductory prayers and the accounts of the donors' piety.
• Knowledge and Wisdom: The emphasis on understanding the true nature of reality (Tattvas), the cycle of existence, and the path to liberation through right faith, knowledge, and conduct is a hallmark of Jain literature.
• Morality and Ethics: The narrative likely serves as a moral guide, illustrating the virtues of righteousness, compassion, and self-control, while also depicting the negative consequences of vice and attachment.

In essence, "Padma Purana Bhasha" is a significant Jain text that makes the epic narrative of Padma Purana accessible to a wider audience through a vernacular translation, infused with the philosophical and ethical framework of Jainism, and presented with a spirit of devotion and community support.