Parabels Of Mahavir - Book Summary

Here's a comprehensive summary of the Jain text "Parabels of Mahavir" by Harindranath Chattopadhyaya, based on the provided text:

Book Overview:

"Parabels of Mahavir" is a collection of poetic and narrative pieces that illuminate the life and teachings of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankar of Jainism. Authored by the renowned poet Harindranath Chattopadhyaya and published by Shri Kiran Publishers, the book aims to present the profound spiritual truths found in Jain scriptures through evocative storytelling and verse. The foreword by Chattopadhyaya highlights his deep personal connection to this work, emphasizing a five-year labor of dedication inspired by the teachings of Mahavir and facilitated by Kiranbhai, who recounted the parables with vividness. The introduction describes the parables as "precious jewels from the vast ocean of Jain Scriptures" capable of transmuting the human soul. The preface, by Muni Arun Vijay, stresses the core Jain principles of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Syadvad (non-absolutism), and Mahavir's embodiment of love, compassion, truth, and austerity.

Key Parables and Themes:

The book is structured to present several significant parables and teachings, each offering unique insights:

The Birth of the Golden Babe: This section details the auspicious conception and impending birth of Mahavir. His mother, Queen Trishala, experiences fourteen significant dreams, symbolizing his divine nature and future greatness. These dreams include a lion, elephant, bull, Lakshmi (goddess of wealth), garland, moon, sun, banner, pot of nectar, lotus lake, ocean, flying chariot, heap of gems, and fire without smoke. The dreams are interpreted as foretelling his spiritual power, dignity, capacity to lead people, spread prosperity, possess a golden life and motherhood, attain omniscience, achieve eternal fame, embody peace, remain detached, possess magnanimity, undertake a grand mission, be adorned with virtues, and possess inner spiritual fire. The narrative also touches upon the anticipation and joy of the kingdom, the wisdom of an astrologer who predicts the babe will be more than human, and the babe's own awareness and consideration for his mother's feelings.
A Mahavir Parable: This parable illustrates Mahavir's fearlessness and compassion in the face of danger. Mahavir chooses a shorter, perilous route to a town, despite being warned of a venomous serpent with fiery breath. The townsfolk consider him mad or overconfident. Mahavir, however, intends to transform the serpent through love and sacrifice. When the serpent strikes him, its venom flows as white, sacred milk, revealing Mahavir's divine nature. The serpent, humbled and convinced of Mahavir's divinity, regrets its actions. Mahavir assures the serpent that its wounds will be a source of spiritual merit and that it will eventually attain liberation. The townsfolk, witnessing this, recognize Mahavir as a divine being. The serpent, in its penance, eventually dies, purified by its encounter. This parable emphasizes the power of non-violence and compassion to overcome even the most aggressive and hateful forces.
Bhagwan Mahavir's Impossible Vow: This extended parable recounts Mahavir's severe asceticism and his vow to only accept alms from a specific type of giver under very particular conditions. He undertakes a prolonged fast, enduring immense physical hardship. The vow involves receiving a single black lentil grain from a princess who is clean-shaven, has been starved for three days, and offers it with humility on an open palm. This vow is described as "impossible" due to its stringent requirements. The narrative follows the princess Vasumati, daughter of King Dadhivahan, through various trials, including her kingdom's defeat, her mother's death, her own near-capture by a cruel camel-driver, and her eventual purchase by a kind merchant. Despite her suffering, she maintains her purity and devotion. Ultimately, she fulfills the conditions of Mahavir's vow, receiving the alms and achieving spiritual liberation. This parable underscores the power of unwavering resolve, discipline, and faith in achieving seemingly insurmountable spiritual goals.
A Drop of Honey: This allegorical tale uses vivid imagery to represent the perils of life and the fleeting nature of worldly pleasures. A man fleeing an elephant encounters a well with a serpent and mice gnawing at the tree he is clinging to. Despite this dire situation, he is fixated on a drop of honey about to fall from a hive. An angel arrives to rescue him, but the man prioritizes the honey drop over his salvation. The parable highlights how attachment to trivial worldly pleasures can distract individuals from true liberation and spiritual guidance.
Parable of the Crystal Cloth: This section, presented in a dramatic, theatrical style, explores the spiritual journey and the concept of "nakedness" in a divine context. It begins with an "Ancient Interpreter" speaking about the thoughts of infant Mahavir in the womb, emphasizing stillness and divine purpose. The narrative transitions to Mahavir's renunciation of his royal life. Indra appears with a "crystal cloth," symbolizing divine covering and purity, which Mahavir accepts. The parable then focuses on Som, a lazy man who receives half of this cloth and desires the other half, believing it will bring him wealth. He encounters a Weaver who plans to sell the joined cloth for profit. The parable critiques material attachment and the misunderstanding of spiritual gifts, showing how the divine cloth loses its glow when treated as a commodity. Ultimately, the cloth is showered with gold coins by Mahavir to prevent its debasement, signifying that true gifts are spiritual, not material. It emphasizes that the Lord's gifts are not to be bartered for material gain.
Golden Words of Bhagwan Mahavir: This final section consists of aphorisms and poetic verses attributed to Mahavir, often addressed to his disciple Gautam. These teachings emphasize the supremacy of conquering the inner self over external battles, the importance of cherishing each moment, the value of discipline and inner purity over superficial donations, the understanding that true strength lies in soul conquest, and the impermanence of worldly life and physical existence. The verses consistently urge the listener to "let your Eternal taste it," highlighting the eternal nature of the soul and the need to connect with it.

Overarching Themes:

Divine Nature of Mahavir: The parables consistently portray Mahavir as a divine being, marked by his auspicious birth, his unparalleled spiritual power, his unwavering vows, and his profound compassion.
Ahimsa (Non-Violence) and Compassion: Central to Mahavir's teachings, these principles are demonstrated through his interactions with the serpent and his overall philosophy of universal love.
Asceticism and Self-Discipline: The "Impossible Vow" parable vividly illustrates the extreme discipline and self-denial Mahavir practiced to achieve spiritual enlightenment and transform others.
Detachment from Worldly Pleasures: The book cautions against attachment to material possessions and fleeting sensory pleasures, presenting them as hindrances to spiritual progress.
The Power of the Soul: The parables emphasize the immense potential of the human soul and the possibility of achieving liberation through spiritual realization and practice.
The Transformative Power of Truth and Love: Mahavir's presence and teachings are shown to have the power to transform even the most hardened or negative beings.
Spiritual Guidance: The book serves as a guide, offering wisdom on how to live a meaningful and spiritually fulfilling life by focusing on inner development and divine connection.

In essence, "Parabels of Mahavir" is an artistic and spiritual exploration of the teachings of Lord Mahavir, aiming to inspire readers with his life, his unwavering commitment to truth and non-violence, and the profound spiritual insights he imparted.