Parshwanath Prabhu Charitra - Book Summary

This Jain text, Parshwanath Prabhu Charitra (The Life of Lord Parshvanath) by Devbhadracharya, published by Jain Atmanand Sabha, Bhavnagar, is a comprehensive biography of the 23rd Tirthankara, Lord Parshvanath. The catalog link provided is https://jainqq.org/explore/005760/1.

This summary is based on the provided pages and table of contents (Vishayanukram), detailing the various lives (bhavas) of Lord Parshvanath and his companions, particularly Komath (Kambal) and their interactions across lifetimes. The text emphasizes the principles of Jainism such as compassion, equanimity, and the path to liberation.

Here's a breakdown of the content covered in the provided pages:

Core Themes and Narrative:

The Life of Lord Parshvanath: The text focuses on the 23rd Tirthankara, Lord Parshvanath, detailing his life, teachings, and divine qualities.
Past Lives (Bhavas): A significant portion of the text is dedicated to narrating the past lives of Lord Parshvanath and his key figures like Komath (Kambal). These stories illustrate the karmic consequences of actions and the journey of the soul towards spiritual liberation.
Key Concepts of Jainism: The narrative weaves in essential Jain principles such as:
- Ahimsa (Non-violence): Emphasized through the Lord's actions and teachings.
- Dayā (Compassion): Highlighted in his interactions with all living beings.
- Sāmayik (Equanimity): The importance of maintaining a balanced state of mind is evident in his trials.
- Sajñāna (Omniscience): The text describes the Lord's divine knowledge.
- Siddhānta (Doctrine/Principles): The text outlines the foundational principles of Jainism.
- Daśavātar (Ten Great Vows): Likely discussed in relation to the Lord's path and teachings.
- Upasarga (Afflictions/Trials): The text details the severe challenges Lord Parshvanath faced, particularly from Komath (Kambal), and his unwavering response, showcasing his extraordinary forbearance and spiritual power.
- Devotion and Faith: The importance of devotional practices and unwavering faith in the Tirthankaras is evident.
Mahotsava (Great Festival): The text describes the elaborate religious festivals and ceremonies conducted during key events in the Lord's life, such as his birth, attainment of omniscience, and ascension to liberation.
Samavasarana (Divine Assembly): The text depicts the divine assembly where Lord Parshvanath delivered his sermons, expounding on dharma, knowledge, principles, and various ethical concepts like charity, chastity, penance, and divine devotion.
Lives of Ganadharas: The text includes the previous lives of Lord Parshvanath's ten chief disciples (Ganadharas), providing further insights into their spiritual journeys and the interconnectedness of souls.
Moral and Spiritual Instruction: The narrative is rich with moral lessons and exemplary stories that serve to guide the reader towards self-improvement and spiritual upliftment.
Devotional Practices: The importance of chanting, meditation, contemplation, and remembrance of the Tirthankaras' names is highlighted for overcoming obstacles and achieving spiritual well-being.
Historical and Geographical Context: The text provides descriptions of various cities, regions, and historical periods relevant to Lord Parshvanath's life, contributing to the understanding of ancient Indian history and culture from a Jain perspective.
Authoritative Authorship: The text attributes its creation to Acharya Shri Devbhadracharya, a renowned scholar and literary figure of the 12th century Vikram era, emphasizing the authenticity and scholarly depth of the work.
Accessibility: The translation into simple and clear Gujarati language makes the profound teachings and stories accessible to both learned scholars and children, ensuring wider dissemination of spiritual knowledge.
Illustrations: The presence of beautiful, colorful, and attractive illustrations is mentioned as enhancing the devotional aspect of the text.

Structure of the Text (as indicated by the Vishayanukram):

The book is structured into five sections (Prastav), each covering specific aspects of Lord Parshvanath's life and teachings, including detailed narratives of his past lives and those of his Ganadharas.

Prastav Pratham (Pages 1-40): Covers the initial invocation, the glory of Lord Parshvanath, descriptions of his six past lives, the beginning of the narrative, the story of King Arvind and Vishvabhuti Purohit, the birth of Marubhuti (Lord Parshvanath's soul in one life), the teachings of Muni Harishchandra, the villainy of Komath, the incidents involving Komath and his wife Varuna, Marubhuti's test of Komath's character, the repentance of Marubhuti, the elephant birth of Marubhuti's soul, Komath's attack, the story of King Arvind's renunciation and initiation, the advice of Surishwar, the story of Sagaradatta Sarthavah and the Ashthapad mountain, the elephant's contemplation, the rebirth of Komath as a serpent, and the elephant's encounter with Muni Arvind.
Prastav Dwitiya (Pages 41-97): Continues the narrative, covering more past lives and significant events.
Prastav Tritiya (Pages 98-183): Further elaborates on the past lives, including the story of Chakravarti Kanakbahu, the ascetics, the elephant's life, Komath's rebirth as a serpent, the elephant's death and rebirth as a deva, the birth of Vajranabh Kumar, the story of King Chandrakant, the events leading to the birth of Kiranveg Kumar, the tale of King Krishnag, the description of Kanthi, the meditation of Acharya Surishwar, the stories of the disciples of Acharya Surishwar, the birth of Vajranabh as the son of King Mahaveerya, and the teachings of Lord Parshvanath on dharma.
Prastav Chaturtha (Pages 184-372): Focuses on Lord Parshvanath's attainment of Keval Gyana (Omniscience) and the discourse on the previous lives of the ten Ganadharas. This section also includes detailed narratives of various past lives, including those of King Ashvasena, King Prasenjit, King Chandrakant, King Vajranabh, and the interactions with Komath.
Prastav Panchama (Pages 373-462): Covers the Lord's final departure to Moksha (liberation) and the discourse on the four types of dharma: Dan (Charity), Sheel (Chastity), Tap (Penance), and Bhavna (Contemplation). It includes illustrative stories for each, such as the story of Lakshmidhar for Dan, Dhanasharma Sarthavah for Tap, Surendradatta for Sheel, and Brahmadata for Bhavna. It concludes with the final moments of Lord Parshvanath and the subsequent establishment of the Jain tradition.

Key Characters:

Lord Parshvanath: The central figure, described with divine attributes and exemplary conduct.
Komath (Kambal): The antagonist from previous lives who persistently tries to obstruct Lord Parshvanath's spiritual progress.
Marubhuti: A figure in Lord Parshvanath's past lives, often depicted as a soul on the path of righteousness.
Arvind Raja: A king who renounces his kingdom for spiritual liberation.
Devbhadracharya: The revered author of the text.
Various Gods and Celestial Beings: Involved in celestial events and devotional acts during the Lord's life.
Ten Ganadharas: Chief disciples whose previous lives are narrated.

Significance:

This text is a valuable repository of Jain philosophy, ethics, and history, offering profound spiritual guidance and illustrating the path to ultimate liberation through the exemplary life of Lord Parshvanath. It serves as a spiritual guide for aspiring souls, emphasizing the importance of righteous conduct, devotion, and the practice of austerities to overcome karmic obstacles and achieve spiritual enlightenment.