Pal Gopal Charitra

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Pal Gopal Charitra," based on the provided Gujarati text and its translation:

Book Title: Pal Gopal Charitra (The Story of Pal and Gopal) Author: Jinkirtisuri Translator: Kunvarji Anandji Publisher: Jain Dharm Prasarak Sabha, Bhavnagar Translation Focus: Effective discourse on the practice of Shravak Dharma, particularly the Paushadh Vrat (a fasting and celibacy vow), and other subjects.

Overall Summary:

"Pal Gopal Charitra" is a Jain narrative that recounts the lives of two brothers, Pal and Gopal, highlighting themes of virtue, renunciation, perseverance, and the consequences of actions (karma). The text emphasizes the importance of chastity (Shil), adherence to vows, especially the Paushadh Vrat, and the ultimate path to liberation (Moksha). It also includes a secondary narrative about two brothers, Sur and Chandrakumar, to further illustrate the principles of non-violence (Ahimsa) and the importance of righteous conduct.

Key Elements and Narrative Breakdown:

1. Introduction and Purpose:

   • The book introduces the story of Pal and Gopal, two brothers whose lives offer effective moral lessons, especially concerning the observance of vows and virtuous living.
   • It notes that the translated text also includes the story of Sur and Chandrakumar, which powerfully illustrates the practice and transgression of the first vow (Ahimsa).
   • The publisher expresses hope that reading these stories will have a positive impact on the reader.

2. The Story of Pal and Gopal:

   • Setting and Characters: The story begins in Ujjain, ruled by King Mahasen. He has two sons, Pal and Gopal, with his first queen, Suresundari. The sons are described as handsome, intelligent, brave, and just.
   • The Ominous Dream: King Mahasen has a disturbing dream involving a headless torso entering his chamber. The dream interpreters advise him to leave his kingdom with his sons for a month, engage in spiritual contemplation in the forest, and have his sons protect him.
   • The Test and Temptation: As per the dream's interpretation, the king and his sons go into the forest. On the 19th day, Pal and Gopal, disguised as Bhills (tribesmen), perform a dance. Queen Mahalaxmi (the king's second wife), witnessing this, is overcome by lust.
   • Mahalaxmi's Deception: Mahalaxmi sends a maid to Pal, falsely claiming she has been bitten by a snake and needs his help. When Pal comes, she attempts to seduce him, but he rejects her advances and informs his brother.
   • The Brothers' Wisdom: Pal and Gopal discuss the deceptive nature of lust-driven women, comparing their destructive potential to that of fierce animals and emphasizing the negative consequences of uncontrolled desires.
   • Mahalaxmi's False Accusation: Heartbroken and humiliated, Mahalaxmi pretends to have been attacked by Pal. She falsely accuses Pal to the king, claiming he violated her.
   • The King's Dilemma: The king, initially disbelieving, is pressured by Mahalaxmi. He eventually agrees to her demand: the lives of his sons in exchange for her appeasement.
   • The Minister's Intervention: The wise minister, deeply loyal and understanding the sons' innocence, devises a plan. He presents the king with clay heads made to look like Pal and Gopal's, covered in blood, to pacify Mahalaxmi and save the princes.
   • The Princes' Exile: Pal and Gopal are advised by the minister to leave the kingdom and go into exile. They accept their father's decree and depart.
   • The Magical Mangoes: Wandering in a forest, Pal and Gopal overhear two Shuka (parrot) birds discussing the miraculous properties of mangoes from a specific tree. The ripe mango grants kingdom within five days, while the unripe one grants kingdom after enduring five severe calamities. The tree also offers a fruit to those who courageously offer their father's head (which then regrows). A Vidyadhar (celestial being) who had obtained these fruits by a daring act lost them to an enemy, and the Shuka birds found and gifted them to Pal and Gopal.
   • The Test of Compassion (First Calamity): Pal gives the ripe mango to Gopal and eats the unripe one himself. Later, they encounter a frog being eaten by a snake. Pal intervenes, even offering his own flesh to the snake to save the frog, demonstrating immense compassion and self-sacrifice. A deity reveals himself, impressed by Pal's altruism, and bestows a boon.
   • The Second Calamity: Pal and Gopal arrive near Tamralipta. Gopal is taken by an elephant to the city and crowned king because the current king died childless. Pal goes to find food and is captured by a gardener, mistaking him for a thief. This is Pal's first calamity.
   • Reunion and Recognition: Pal, still imprisoned by the gardener, crafts a beautiful garland. When the king (Gopal) sees it and learns about its creator, he recognizes his brother's handiwork. Pal is released, and they are reunited.
   • The Third Calamity: Pal, now prosperous, joins a merchant named Dhanadatta for a sea voyage to Simhaladvipa. Dhanadatta, driven by greed, throws Pal overboard. Pal survives by clinging to a plank and is rescued by a merchant caravan. The caravan leader's wife attempts to seduce Pal, but he firmly rejects her. Her false accusation leads to Pal's capture and imminent punishment. However, his virtue transforms the weapons used against him into jewels, and deities intervene to save him.
   • The Fourth Calamity: Pal is abandoned by the caravan and suffers from extreme thirst. He remembers the snake deity, who provides water. Pal, seeing thirsty cows, displays further compassion by creating a lake for them before drinking himself.
   • The Fifth Calamity: Pal, reunited with his wife, Saubhagyamanjari, at a charitable stall, is falsely accused of theft by the treacherous Dhanadatta. Pal is captured and taken to be executed. However, the cows he previously saved come to his rescue, scattering the guards. Pal is freed, but his sword is taken.
   • King Mahasen's Regret and Pal's Triumph: King Mahasen, hearing of Pal's capture, sends an army. Pal, armed with a bow, defeats the army. King Mahasen recognizes Pal as his elder son and humbly seeks forgiveness. The minister explains the entire sequence of events.
   • Return to Ujjain and Renunciation: Pal and Gopal return to Ujjain with their father. Pal refuses the throne, wishing to reclaim his father's rightful kingdom. They march to Ujjain, and Pal's prowess leads to their father's army's defeat. Pal and Gopal respectfully approach King Mahasen, who, upon learning the truth from the minister, rejoices.
   • The King's Enlightenment: King Mahasen, upon hearing a discourse from a wise Muni, learns about his past lives and the karmic reasons for his desire to kill his sons. He renounces the throne, gives it to Pal, and becomes a monk. Mahalaxmi dies in a state of agitated meditation and goes to hell.

3. The Story of Sur and Chandrakumar:

   • Setting and Characters: King Shatrunjay of Jaipur has two sons, Sur and Chandrakumar. Sur is appointed as the heir apparent (Yuvraj), while Chandrakumar receives no special recognition.
   • Chandrakumar's Discontent: Feeling slighted, Chandrakumar leaves home and travels to Ratnapatan.
   • Religious Discourse: He hears a sermon from Muni Sudarshan about the importance of Ahimsa (non-violence) and the responsibility to protect all living beings.
   • Chandrakumar's Vow: Inspired, Chandrakumar vows not to harm even defenseless creatures.
   • Service to King Jayasen: He begins serving King Jayasen of Ratnapatan with great devotion and skill.
   • The Bandit Kumbha: King Jayasen is troubled by a ruthless bandit named Kumbha. He tasks Chandrakumar with eliminating Kumbha.
   • Chandrakumar's Heroism: Chandrakumar, using his intelligence and bravery, defeats Kumbha and his followers, saving the kingdom.
   • Sur's Jealousy and Regicide: Sur, consumed by jealousy, attacks and wounds their father, King Shatrunjay. The queen raises an alarm, and Sur is exiled.
   • Chandrakumar's Reign and Karmic Repercussions: Chandrakumar becomes king. Sur, in his subsequent lives, suffers greatly due to his heinous actions, being reborn as animals and facing violent deaths. Chandrakumar, on the other hand, lives a righteous life, gains enlightenment, and achieves a heavenly existence, eventually attaining Moksha.

Key Themes and Moral Lessons:

• The Power of Karma: The narrative repeatedly emphasizes that past actions (karma) determine present and future circumstances. The king's desire to kill his sons is linked to his past life's actions. Sur's cruelty leads to his suffering in subsequent births.
• The Dangers of Lust and Greed: Mahalaxmi's lust and Dhanadatta's greed lead to destructive consequences for themselves and others. The text strongly condemns these passions.
• The Importance of Chastity (Shil): Pal's steadfastness in rejecting Mahalaxmi and Saubhagyamanjari's resistance to Dhanadatta highlight the virtue of chastity.
• The Virtue of Compassion (Daya) and Non-Violence (Ahimsa): Pal's self-sacrifice for the frog and his care for the cows exemplify extreme compassion. The story of Chandrakumar reinforces the paramount importance of Ahimsa.
• The Strength of Brotherly Love: Pal's unwavering loyalty and search for Gopal demonstrate the deep bond between siblings.
• The Value of Wisdom and Righteous Conduct: The minister's wisdom saves the princes, and the Muni's teachings guide the king towards liberation. Adhering to Jain principles leads to happiness and spiritual progress.
• Perseverance in the Face of Adversity: Pal endures five calamities, demonstrating remarkable resilience and unwavering commitment to virtue.
• The Fruits of Virtue and Renunciation: Those who practice virtue, observe vows, and ultimately renounce worldly attachments achieve happiness and liberation. The king's renunciation leads him to a favorable rebirth.

In essence, "Pal Gopal Charitra" serves as a guide for Jain followers, illustrating through compelling stories the principles of Jain ethics, the inescapable law of karma, and the ultimate reward of a life dedicated to virtue, compassion, and spiritual discipline.